Election Q&A: Get to know your Emmet County Sheriff candidates

EMMET COUNTY — Among millage requests and local election items, voters in Emmet County will see two names on the ballot when it comes to the race for sheriff in the August primary.

Randy Kloss and Matt Leirstein are both running for the position, which is currently held by Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin. Wallin previously announced his intention to retire at the end of 2024.

Wallin was first appointed to serve as Emmet County Sheriff in 2002, and has been reelected every four years since 2004.

Now, Kloss and Leirstein are campaigning to follow in his footsteps. Kloss has announced plans to have Wade Leist serve as his undersheriff. Leirstein plans to have Rich Bankey serve as his undersheriff.

The Petoskey News-Review sent both candidates a list of questions to allow voters to get to know the candidates:

More: Randy Kloss announces campaign for Emmet County Sheriff

Randy Kloss

Q: Introduce yourself, including your age and profession.

A: Randy R. Kloss, 53 years old, Lieutenant at the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, 30 years working at Emmet County Sheriff’s Office.

Q: Why are you running for Emmet County Sheriff?

A: I am running for sheriff to assure stronger ties to the Emmet community, that has been missing the last few years. More face-to-face contact with the people of Emmet County is essential. Protecting your Constitutional rights is paramount. Serving and protecting the citizens is also a big reason, and I will do it with more experience, integrity and empathy compared to my opponent.

Q: What are the biggest challenges the sheriff's department faces?

A: Employee retention, the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office has lost far too many deputies over the last 20 years due to dissatisfaction with the direction of the department. We need to bring back a family environment, job satisfaction will go a long way in retaining employees.

Q: In what areas is the department succeeding?

A: We are succeeding in providing Emmet County with highly specialized deputies who investigate a wide range of incidents. We have accident investigators, crime scene investigators, search and rescue, drone pilots and trained detectives to interview felony crime victims.

Q: If elected, what would be your main priorities as sheriff?

Main priorities if elected:

• Employee retention
• Protecting the public’s Constitutional rights
• Engagement with the community, more in-person contact
• Work more with local agencies, share information, better communication
• Add another School Resource Officer, only one for five schools currently
• Work with the prosecutor and courts to assure the convicted get proper sentencing
• Continued training of deputies

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More: Undersheriff Leirstein announces campaign for sheriff

Matt Leirstein

Q: Introduce yourself, including your age and profession.

A: I am Matt Leirstein, the current undersheriff of the Emmet County Sheriff's Office. I just recently turned 50 and my wife Nikki and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary this September, marking nearly three decades of shared life and love. Together, we have raised three remarkable children: our eldest, Abigail, is a valued member of the Emmet County Sheriff's Office; our middle child Cassidy is employed with North Central Michigan College; and our youngest, Eva, is currently a senior in her collegiate studies.

Q: Why are you running for Emmet County Sheriff?

A: My commitment to public service and knowledge gained as undersheriff will allow me to carry forward our department's strong tradition of excellence and fully modernize the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office. I consider the position of Emmet County Sheriff as a calling, and have a sense of commitment and dedication to both serve the citizens of our community and uphold law and order. My selection as undersheriff by current Sheriff Pete Wallin, recognized as one of the most trusted sheriffs in the State of Michigan, and the experience I have gained over the past two years as undersheriff, evidence my leadership skills and capability to lead the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office. My commitment to modernizing the sheriff’s office, understanding of the responsibilities our sheriff is faced with, and leadership abilities and experience make me the best choice to lead the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office into the future with integrity and excellence.

Q: What are the biggest challenges the sheriff's department faces?

A: Recently, the Emmet County Sheriff's Office has faced the challenge felt by law enforcement agencies nationwide, notably the recruitment and retention of qualified deputies. I recognize this challenge, which is why I plan to initiate programs aimed at tapping local talent early and fostering their career paths. My Explorer Program will engage young individuals interested in law enforcement by offering them a behind-the-scenes experience into the day-to-day operations of the sheriff's office. As undersheriff I have already laid the groundwork for a Recruit Program. This program allows qualified individuals to transition from having an interest in law enforcement to becoming a part of the Emmet County Sheriff's team. The creation of the Explorer and Recruit programs will not just fill positions, but will create a generation of law enforcement professionals who are deeply connected to Emmet County and its residents.

Q: In what areas is the department succeeding?

A: As undersheriff, one of my administrative responsibilities is budgeting for the office. I have prioritized the professional development of our entire staff, sworn and professional. I have ensured our employees are equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to serve Emmet County. I firmly believe a well-trained office leads to a safer community. Furthermore, I am constantly looking to integrate cutting-edge law enforcement equipment into our tactical operations. I recently procured new pistols with optics, an ORV and Motorola body-worn and in-car cameras with cloud-based video storage. These projects were completed utilizing RFPs, ensuring a fair acquisition process which ultimately fosters trust within the community. These are just a few of things I believe demonstrate my commitment to ensuring public safety. Most importantly, all of this was achieved with a dedication to fiscal responsibility, demonstrating a respectful approach to the hard-earned tax dollars entrusted to us by our citizens.

Q: If elected, what would be your main priorities as sheriff?

A: My main priorities include safeguarding our schools and the entire community. As sheriff it is also imperative to prioritize the safety of our dedicated deputies serving on the road and in our jail. I aim to uphold our department's tradition of maintaining 100 percent compliance with the Michigan Department of Corrections for our jail operations. I am also a strong proponent of community mental health and alcohol and drug treatment programs to minimize crime, reduce the jail population and enhance public safety. I pledge to exercise fiscal responsibility in managing taxpayer dollars, ensuring that every penny is spent wisely to enhance public safety and support the community. Above all, I pledge to stand as sheriff of the people and for the people, fostering trust and collaboration with our citizens by upholding the values of transparency, accountability and integrity, thereby creating a safe and secure Emmet County for all citizens.

— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN .

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Election Q&A: Get to know your Emmet County Sheriff candidates