Adams County Sheriff candidates discuss issues, ideas

RITZVILLE — Incumbent Dale Wagner is being challenged by Matthew Carlson, Ritzville, for the office of Adams County Sheriff. The Columbia Basin Herald gave each candidate a set of identical questions about their candidacy. Their answers are below.

What made you decide to run for sheriff? 

Wagner: I have served as your sheriff since 2015, and I am proud of what we have accomplished during that time. This office and this community mean a lot to me. I have put many years into serving the people here, and I want to continue that work. 

We have a great team, and I believe my experience and leadership, along with the team's dedication, will help us keep making progress. There is still work to do, and I want to continue making our sheriff’s office better because that directly benefits the community we serve. 

Carlson: I made the decision to run for sheriff because I continue to hear complaints from citizens and employees. These complaints have been about the lack of coverage for a large portion of the county, going over budget by almost a million dollars and the lack of accountability for a few favorites in the department.  I was also encouraged by family and friends when they stated, “if not you than who?” 

By its nature, the sheriff’s job has its share of both controversy and tough decisions. When a controversial case or situation comes up, what are the things you take into consideration when dealing with it?    

Carlson: This will sound simple, but we need to fall back on the laws of the state and the constitutions we have sworn to protect and uphold.  Then be able to explain and defend your decision using your knowledge of the laws and constitution, making sure to keep your political beliefs out of it. 

Wagner: My experience as sheriff has taught me to get the facts before reaching a conclusion. I consider the law, people’s rights, and the safety of our community and employees. I seek input from my team and explain what we can publicly while protecting the investigation. I am responsible for how our office responds. 

What do you take into consideration when it’s time to make a tough decision, especially one that you know might be unpopular?   

Wagner: Since 2015, I have made difficult decisions involving staffing, spending, and services. For example, we had to close the jail because of low staffing and safety concerns for both staff and inmates. I consider our options and how they affect the community and employees. I listen, but I know necessary decisions may be unpopular. My responsibility is to explain the decision, stand behind it, and make adjustments when needed. 

Carlson included the answer to this question in his previous answer.  

Retention is a challenge for small departments. Adams County has a pretty good retention rate. How do you plan to maintain or improve it? 

Carlson: In your question you stated Adams County has a pretty good retention. I would disagree a bit.  I have been working around the Sheriff’s office for 12 years and the turnover is about 3-5 years for employees as a whole.  For instance, in less than four years none of the jailers are the same as they were in 2022.  I can’t remember the last time dispatch has filled every position and not been hiring.  So to improve on retention I would work hard to find the reasons the staff keeps looking for the door by talking to them, not grilling for answers. I would also make them feel appreciated. 

Wagner: We have employees with more than 20 years of service, and I appreciate their commitment. I will continue advocating for pay, training, equipment, and working conditions that help keep good people. Listening to concerns about schedules, overtime, and family needs matters too. I strongly feel requiring deputies to live within our county helps them become part of the community and feel appreciated and welcomed. I believe in policing those we love. I feel we police better when we care about the people and place where we live and work. I feel when deputies buy into this idea and begin raising their families I think it helps retain them.   

It's also a challenging job. How does ACSO help deputies meet that challenge?   

Wagner: I have continued supporting practical training and better equipment, including our upgraded TASER/Axon system and recent emergency vehicle training to name a very few (the list is long). Our experienced employees also help newer deputies work through challenges. Just as important, I want our people to know they can bring concerns forward and count on their leadership for support. 

Carlson: Well, first as a sheriff’s office there are more than just deputies that have to meet the challenges head-on. I would help them by working to remove the stigma about mental health in law enforcement. When I started in this profession and for the most part it is still around, that if you have to seek help for your mental health you can’t be trusted in the profession. I strongly disagree and will encourage the employees to seek and work on their individual mental health.  And that would be for every single employee under me. The stress of working on the front line or in the support roles within law enforcement are constant, and we as a profession need to start talking about it rather than ignoring it.