Chief Deputy Jarrett Walton announces his candidacy for Beltrami County Sheriff

Beltrami County Deputy Chief Sheriff Jarrett Walton announced today that he will be running for the position of sheriff.

Sheriff Ernie Beitel, who will retire after his current term ends this year, said he encouraged Walton to run for the job and believes Walton has been instrumental in day-to-day operations in addition to be a strategic planner for the sheriff’s office. and its future.

According to a statement, Walton, who boasts more than 25 years of law enforcement experience, is a graduate of BCA’s Police Management and Supervision Series and served as Chief Deputy in Beltrami County in past 3 years and served the sheriff’s office for 20 years. . These years of service include Dodge City, KS Police Officer, Beltrami County Deputy Sheriff, Field Training Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Investigator Sergeant, and a member of the Affiliate Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force ).

Walton lists as areas of expertise being an instructor for defensive tactics and use of force, an instructor trainer for emergency vehicle operations (EVOC), a certified computer and telephone forensic analyst laptop, a certified drone pilot, and contributing to various grant-writing projects, including obtaining Squad laptops, a full-time CFA officer position, developing the K9 program, funding the DNR for the recreational law enforcement and working with the domestic violence court to monitor people who may violate active orders.

He also says he led the initiative to work with the Northwest Minnesota Emergency Communications Council to bring in the Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) to improve radio communications in Beltrami County and with first responder partners.

“I was blessed with opportunities and mentorship from Sheriff Beitel and Sheriff Hodapp to develop my leadership skills,” Walton said in a statement. “I am currently working with Beltrami County Department chiefs and leaders, Bemidji Police Department, mental health experts and Beltrami County citizens in groups or steering committees on Project Jail , employee retention and recruitment, use of technology, officer welfare and addressing mental illness. health response and services provided in the prison.

If Walton is elected sheriff, he hopes to continue prison projects by studying and serving the needs of the prison, expand and develop the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office Officer Wellness Program, and provide resources/services to inmates to reduce recidivism while incarcerated and upon initial release. .

“My wife, Amelia (Ami), and I have lived in this area for over 20 years. We raised our children in this community, and now we enjoy our grandchildren here. When I look back on my early career in law enforcement and the accomplishments of the past 20 years, I am extremely proud to be a member of this office and this community. I have always actively sought to improve the efficiency, response and services provided by the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office to the citizens of Beltrami County. I look forward to the unique challenges we face now, and those to come, as the next Sheriff of Beltrami County,” Walton said.