We all support the sheriff, but even people we support make bad decisions.

Sheriff Mike Slupe’s decision to volunteer his deputies’ services to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at county taxpayer expense, with or without prior county commissioner approval, is a bad decision.

Consider the costs alone of redirecting 12 deputies from their regular duties to perform a service that the commissioners acknowledge is not needed in Butler County.

Whether you agree or disagree with ICE’s mission and methods, I expect all would agree that the first order of business for the sheriff is to do that which he was elected to do. I agree with those at the recent county commissioners’ meeting who said “let the Sheriff do his job.”

The sheriff’s job is to execute writs and serve process in Butler County, not serve as auxiliary police for the federal government and chase down workers at local restaurants.

Philip P. Lope, Zelienople