Challenges and Opportunities
Sheriff’s Office Training – Wellness – Support
With an outstanding training center, we are positioned to deliver the highest‑quality training to our deputies—training that directly translates into exceptional service for Wright County.
I am also committed to fostering a positive, supportive work culture within the Sheriff’s Office. Strong leadership, a healthy workplace environment, and top‑tier training attract the best candidates in this competitive market and help retain our experienced, valued staff.
Supporting the mental health and wellness of our law enforcement professionals is just as essential as providing them with the tools and training to do their jobs. Deputies routinely face high stress, trauma, and critical incidents that accumulate over time. Ensuring access to confidential counseling, peer support programs, wellness resources, and leadership that truly prioritizes mental health reduces burnout, strengthens performance, and keeps valued personnel in the profession. When agencies invest in the well‑being of their staff, they reinforce both the resilience of their workforce and the quality of service delivered to the community.
Controlled Substance Abuse and Support
Having spent seven years in a unit dedicated to investigating and arresting drug dealers, and I’ve seen firsthand how the controlled‑substance crisis threatens public safety, fuels crime, and devastates families. Addressing it requires a balanced strategy: aggressive enforcement of drug laws paired with strong support for recovery programs and drug courts. Enforcement is essential to disrupt trafficking and protect our communities, but we also know we cannot “arrest” our way out of this problem. As the first law enforcement liaison to the Wright County Adult Drug Court Program, I’ve seen how treatment‑focused programs can reduce repeat offenses, lower incarceration costs, and help people rebuild their lives. Supporting both accountability and recovery is the most effective path to safer, healthier communities.
Mental Health
Public safety depends on strong mental health support. As Chief Deputy, I worked with county stakeholders to create a co-responder program, which pairs a deputy with mental health professionals to help improve outcomes during behavioral health crises. When combined with comprehensive Crisis Intervention Training (CIT), law enforcement is better equipped to recognize those in crisis, respond safely, and make informed decisions that prioritize care while maintaining public safety. Together, co-responder programs and CIT create a more responsive system that treats mental health challenges as health issues, not just enforcement matters. As Sheriff, I will continue to strengthen these programs.
Safe and Secure Jail
County jails carry some of the highest risk and liability for any government entity. Ensuring we operate a correctional facility grounded in professionalism and genuine human care not only reduces liability for taxpayers—it’s simply the right thing to do. Jail is not the end of someone’s story; it can be the foundation for their next chapter—a place where accountability, support, and dignity create the conditions for real change. Treating every person with dignity and respect, especially those in our custody, is a core value that must guide our work.
