Election 2014: Sheriff

 

Stacy Braun
Although I was born in Minneapolis, I have called Wright County my home for the past 36 years.  I lived in Otsego and Albertville before buying my current home in Monticello. I have the privilege of calling many of the residents and business owners in Wright County my friends. I also have family members in this community, including my mother. I have never been married and do not have any children. I volunteer my time with the Special Olympics. I support the local food shelf, Little League Baseball and the Girl Scouts of America. I am a member of the United States Police Canine Association, the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Deputies Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Minnesota State Association of Narcotics Investigators.
I have had a well-rounded career with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office since 1993.  During my 21 years in law enforcement and public safety, I have had varied assignments including: the adult detention division, the training division, the narcotics unit, the service division, the patrol division, the K9 unit, and the employee development division.  Each assignment included specialized training and professional development and experience.  
I have been a field trainer in both the narcotics unit and the patrol division and was a use of force instructor for many years.  I have also completed specialized training in the investigations field, with a focus on narcotics and undercover investigations.
The citizens and business owners of Wright County and personnel of the Sheriff’s Department will benefit from my 21 years of law enforcement experience with a progressive agency.   My background makes me perfectly suited to lead the Wright County Sheriff’s Department into the future. 
First and foremost, I am committed to public safety and service. I want to serve my fellow citizens and ensure that they are getting a good return on their investment as tax payers. I want Wright County to be a safe community for all of us to live and work in.   
There is room for improvement in the Wright County Sheriff’s Department. The citizens of Wright County have expectations of their public safety department that some personnel are not trained to fulfill.  Other agencies require training that our department currently doesn’t. I want to change that and make sure all personnel are trained and equipped to better serve residents and business owners.  Community policing doesn’t work if the deputies you know and trust are not trained for the situations they encounter. As sheriff, I will correct this using my current, cutting edge experience in public safety and law enforcement techniques and training. 
The Wright County Sheriff’s Department needs to change to meet the community’s needs; and I will make those changes. Wright County needs progressive, forward-thinking ideas; my professional and personal experiences and training will be assets to our growing community in these changing times.   As Sheriff, I will ensure the deputies serving the citizens, business owners and visitors are properly and well trained.
The Wright County Sheriff’s Department does not provide emergency first aid or CPR certification to the deputies. I will make sure they are certified. The Wright County Sheriff’s Department does not provide deputies the training or equipment to handle people who are living with mental illness. I will make sure they are trained and equipped to handle these interactions safely and efficiently. The Wright County Sheriff’s Department does not provide deputies training or equipment to handle active shooter situations. I will make sure they are trained and equipped to keep our residents and children safe in the event of an active shooter situation. 
The issue is a lack of training and equipment. When a citizen calls for help, they expect and deserve to have properly trained and equipped personnel responding to their call. Other agencies require training that our personnel are not receiving. Current training and cutting-edge equipment are non-negotiable; without them, no one is being well served. As Sheriff, securing this training and equipment, within budget, will be a top priority for me.  
The second issue I would address is illegal drugs. Drug manufacturers and dealers have no place in our community; I will make sure they hear that message loud and clear.  My background in narcotics will help me get offenders arrested and make sure illicit and illegal drugs do not get into the hands of our youth.  Drug manufacturers and sellers need to be held accountable for their actions.  I will work to remove this element from our community. 
Finally, I will not neglect the basics. We need to continue to take a firm stance on the enforcement of local, state and federal laws. 
Wright County will benefit from my fresh perspective and my outside experience at a progressive public safety agency.  I will bring new resources, training and technology to the department. As Sheriff, I will ensure that Wright County is a safe place for everyone to live, work and raise a family. 
 

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply