You have both worked in law enforcement in Marquette County for many years.

What have been your most complex law enforcement challenges directly related to the safety of Marquette County residents and how did your work make a positive difference?

In my career I have been able to work in many different jobs within law enforcement. From working as correctional officer, patrol officer, training new hires, being an instructor for in house trainings, a first line supervisor in patrol, a division administrator for jail & dispatch and patrol, and having the opportunity to be large part of the K9 program; I feel the most complex challenges is related to collaboration and transparency. Through my career and unique law enforcement background, I have been able to work with many different individuals locally and around the state to help improve in areas I was allowed.

 

I believe if we continue to build our partnerships and collaborate outside of our comfort zones we will improve even more. Working together with community stakeholders, county department heads, and all elected officials we will be able to become more transparent and be able to explain the why. Having an open mindset about what we are doing now and planning for the future should be a priority.

 

One way to do this is to start an annual citizen’s police academy. I believe it would be important to have an academy for adults, as well has having an academy appropriate for high school aged youth.  Opening up what the Sheriff’s Office does, using our in-house resources and providing a hands-on opportunity to allow for more collaboration and transparency for our community and for our future. During these academies maybe we will even be able to invest in our community and recruit local talent for our future!