Sheriff candidates debate at Ephrata forum

EPHRATA — Incumbent Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete and challenger Darrick Gregg highlighted differences in leadership style, accountability and jail operations during a candidate forum Wednesday night at the Art Semro American Legion Post 28.

The two Republicans are competing in the Nov. 3 general election to lead the Grant County Sheriff's Office, with both candidates talking about decades of law enforcement experience and public service.

Gregg, a former chief deputy and emergency management coordinator with the sheriff's office, opened by describing a career that began with the Royal City Police Department before spending 16 years with the Grant County Sheriff's Office.

"I have 24 years in the trade," Gregg said.

Gregg said his campaign is centered on "faith, family and my job," saying leadership begins with putting people first.

"I always make the decisions of what's best for people and not myself individually," he said.

Kriete, who is seeking another term as sheriff, pointed to nearly 34 years with the agency, including service as a deputy, detective, sergeant, chief deputy and sheriff.

"I signed up to be a public servant," Kriete said.

Kriete said his focus remains on continually improving the organization.

"We try to be better every single day," he said.

Both candidates fielded questions on public safety concerns ranging from traffic enforcement and code violations to drug abuse and gun-related incidents.

Asked about complaints involving speeding and other issues on Dodson Road, Gregg said the sheriff's office should respond to community concerns through targeted enforcement efforts.

"When you get those complaints from the community, you address it," Gregg said.

He said patrol deputies, supervisors and traffic officers should be directed toward known problem areas.

Kriete responded by highlighting the reestablishment of the sheriff's office traffic unit, which he helped create in 2006.

"When complaints do come in with traffic, we do pass them down to our patrol units as well as the traffic unit," Kriete said.

He said meaningful traffic enforcement requires a visible law enforcement presence and consistent enforcement efforts.

Questions about firearms in residential areas generated similar responses from both candidates.

Kriete called shooting firearms in neighborhoods "extremely dangerous" and encouraged residents to report incidents immediately.

"If that is happening, please call us so we can deal with it," he said.

Gregg agreed that reckless shooting should result in criminal accountability.

"I've had the opportunity to arrest people for that," Gregg said, referencing investigations involving gunfire near homes and occupied areas.

The candidates differed more sharply on topics involving sheriff's office operations.

When asked about the county's therapeutic court program, Gregg declined to give a detailed answer, saying he was uncertain whether the question referred to drug court or another program.

"I don't want to misspeak," Gregg said.

Kriete said he had strong support for the program, saying it helps address substance abuse and criminal behavior while reducing repeat offenses.

"If we're getting one success out of that program, that's a win," Kriete said.

A discussion about communications systems planned for use at the county's new jail also revealed differing perspectives.

Kriete defended the use of LTE and Wi-Fi-based communications technology, saying similar systems have already proven reliable in sheriff's office operations.

"It's a lot more reliable than our portable radios are," he said.

Gregg said some corrections employees have voiced concerns about relying on wireless technology inside the facility.

"They don't feel safe with that transition," Gregg said.

He said employee safety concerns should be addressed before inmates are transferred into the new jail.

Several questions focused directly on the candidates themselves.

Asked about a federal lawsuit he filed against the sheriff's office, Gregg said the case stems from concerns about accountability and events that occurred while he was employed by the agency. According to previous Columbia Basin Herald reporting, Gregg and former deputy Dustin Canfield filed a federal lawsuit in 2022 alleging former Sheriff Tom Jones retaliated against them after they brought forward allegations involving Jones' brother, then-Chief Deputy Ken Jones. 

"I took a stance when there was corruption because that's what I swore to do," Gregg said.

He said the lawsuit would continue and that residents deserve to know what occurred.

Kriete was asked about a vote of no confidence issued earlier this year by a group of deputies.

Kriete said the complaints were largely anonymous and lacked sufficient detail for formal investigations. The Columbia Basin Herald previously reviewed records showing that 47 of 55 association members participated in the vote, with 31 voting no confidence, six voting confidence and 10 abstaining. The Grant County Deputy Sheriffs Association President Jason McDonnell has previously declined comment regarding the vote. 

"I take these concerns very seriously," Kriete said of the vote. 

However, he said requests for additional information did not result in enough detail to move forward on several allegations.

The candidates ended the evening discussing drug addiction and repeat offenders.

Gregg called methamphetamine and fentanyl ongoing challenges and said law enforcement, prosecutors and judges need to work together to ensure accountability.

"We've got to sit down at the table and make sure we're holding people accountable together," he said.

Kriete talked about rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through partnerships with treatment providers, recovery programs and community court.

"Our goal is to reduce repeat offenders that come into the jail," Kriete said. "We want them to be successful when they leave."