By Sara StrongWhile elected officials and high-ranking staff crunch law enforcement budget numbers, workers within the Sheriff’s Department are nervous about job stability.Sheriff Mike Winkels said the resignation of Deputy Nick Schaffer is troubling. "I think I will have two more leaving pretty quick here," Winkels said.At a meeting last week, the county highlighted its services and department costs in a public meeting, and gave Sheriff’s Department workers a sort of pat on the back for the job they do. Part of that meeting featured speakers on "community policing," and how that concept has changed the way the department does business.Community policing is a proactive, more open approach to law enforcement. Different from the old-fashioned reactive and military-like methods, community policing calls for increased cooperation and preventative measures to protect the public.The city of Luverne and Rock County split the $52,900 cost of community policing training. Training to implement community policing continued through May 2003, and the department recently received a positive evaluation from the community policing trainers.While city of Luverne leaders keep saying they appreciate the services, county leaders say cutting the city’s funding means existing services would change.County Attorney Don Klosterbuer said, "The only thing that’s been at issue is who pays what."Community policing trainer Bill Micklus said, "Neither department, if they split, would be able to provide the services to constituents that they are now."Dennis Cusick spoke on trends in law enforcement in general. He said, "Be proud of the model of law enforcement you have. It is unique and respected in the state. You created a model that became a model."He cautioned against terminating the current joint law contract."Once gone, it’s hard to get back," Cusick said.He said trends in crime solving make one, larger department more effective than two, smaller ones would be.Multicultural issues, high-tech investigations on crimes such as identity theft, and overall social problems require intensive work on the part of investigators and officers. They can’t just show up at the scene of a crime like some may think, Cusick said.Winkels said the department has embraced community policing and doesn’t want to see its philosophies have to change because of less manpower."We have a pride in what we do, and because of that, we do our jobs better," Winkels said.The Sheriff’s Office mission statement was recited. "To promote the quality of life in Rock County by providing police services with integrity and a spirit of excellence, in partnership with our communities."Winkels said, "I didn’t just sit down with a piece of paper to write that. Everybody took part in it, and it’s what we live and believe as an office."