Chief Deputy Jarrett Walton Announces Candidacy for Beltrami County Sheriff

Bemidji, MN - With over 25 years of law enforcement experience, Beltrami County Chief Deputy Sheriff Jarrett Walton announced today he will seek the Office of Beltrami County Sheriff.

Walton, who has served as Chief Deputy in Beltrami County for the last 3 years and for the Beltrami Sheriff's Office for 20 years brings a broad and unique variety of law enforcement experience to the job.

Those years of service include:

 Dodge City, KS Police officer 1997-2001

 Beltrami County deputy sheriff from 2002-2011

 Field Training Officer 2005-2011

 Patrol Sergeant from November 2011- March 2013

 Investigative Sergeant – March 2013 – January 01, 2019

 Field Training Coordinator/Supervisor March 2013 – Current

 Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Affiliate Task Force Member June 2013 – January 2019

 Record Management/CAD/Mobile System administrator 2011- present

 K9 officer 2007-2013

 Chief Deputy Sheriff for Sheriff Beitel 2019- present.

 Northern Lights Task Force Chair of Communications/Technology subcommittee

 Member of the Beltrami County Budget committee 2019, 2020, and 2021

Areas of expertise or interest include:

 Instructor for Defensive Tactics/use of force

 Instructor Trainer for Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVOC)

 Certified Forensic Computer/cellphone analyst

 Field Force Command

 Part 107 Certified Drone Pilot- Develop drone program for the Sheriff's Office

 Grant writing projects include grant to obtain Squad laptops (2010), DWI Officer- pays for a fulltime employee to enforce DWI Laws (2020). Securing funds to maintain and grow the Sheriff's Office K9 Program. DNR grant funding for the Recreation

Enforcement Program. Collaborated with Domestic Violence Court to obtain grant funding to pay for 5 hours a week to have our crime analyst to monitor individuals violating active Orders for Protection and Domestic Violence No Contact orders

(DANCO).

 Leading the initiative to work with the Northwest Minnesota Emergency Communications Board to bring the Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) to enhance radio communications in Beltrami County and with our first responder partners.

 Continuing to implement areas of efficiency in the sheriff's office by reviewing barriers to work production and seeking solutions, while balancing the cost of tax payers' dollars.

Recent Awards:

 April 2019 –US Attorney Award for Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice. Lead Investigator in the arrest and successful Federal prosecution of a Child predator that resulted in a 25 year federal sentence.

 January 2021- Minnesota Emergency Communications Network- Chaired the Northern Lights Task Force Communications/technology subcommittee.

I have been fortunate to be given opportunities and mentored by Sheriff Beitel and Sheriff Hodapp to developing my leadership skills. I am currently working collaboratively with Beltrami County Department heads and leadership, Bemidji Police Department, Mental Health experts, and Beltrami County citizens on leadership groups or committees on the Jail project, Employee Retention and recruitment, utilizing technology, Officer Wellness, and addressing mental health response and services provided in the jail.

If I am elected Sheriffs my goals are:

 Continue Jail Project -Study and address needs of our Jail

 Employee recruitment and retention

 Continue to expand and develop the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office Officer wellness program

 Expand mental health care provided to inmates

 Provide resources/services for inmates to reduce recidivism while incarcerated and upon initial release

 Improve access to mental health services for people in need

 Provide proactive police services to keep our community safe

 Be a responsible fiscal agent of tax payer dollars

 Utilize technology to improve efficiencies and provide quality customer service

 Open and transparent

 Combat opiate issues

 Continue to mitigate risk and liability for Beltrami County

Chief Deputy Walton is a graduate of the BCA's Police Management and Supervision Series

"My wife, Amelia (Ami), and I have called this area our home for over 20 years. We have raised our children in this community, and now we are enjoying our grandchildren here. When I think back to the start of my law enforcement career, and through the accomplishments of the last 20 years, I am extremely proud to be a member of this office and of this community. I have always actively looking to improve the efficiencies, response and services provided by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office to Beltrami County citizens. I am eager to face the unique challenges we currently face and those in the future, by serving as the next Beltrami County Sheriff."

Jarrett Walton

218-556-8132

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Walton-for-Sheriff-101066529185121

Website: https://waltonforbeltramicountysheriff.com/

Email: waltonforbcsosheriff@gmail.com