Chad recently answered some important questions posed by the Law Enforcement Labor Services Local 363, Duluth Police Lieutenants. It is very important to note that Chad does not believe it is necessary to gain endorsements to win an election. The citizens are voting for a person, not an endorsement. Please read below to see the questions and his answers:

Dear Law Enforcement Labor Services Local 363, Duluth Police Lieutenants, 

I am writing to give my honest answers in regards to the topics that are important to the members of the LELS Local 363. Below, you will find my responses to your questions.

• Why do you want an endorsement from the Law Enforcement Labor Services Local 363, Duluth Police Lieutenants? 

While I do not believe it is necessary to gain endorsements in order to win this election, it is important to let my opinions and ideas be heard so that you understand where I come from. The public does not elect an endorsement, they elect a person. Being that I have no negative experiences with or judgements towards any law enforcement agency, I fully expect to come into this association with the positive viewpoint of an outsider upon my election. Due to a strong desire to help people, I have spent the majority of my life as a public servant. Helping others is something that is ingrained in me and has taught me to respect everyone from every walk of life. I do not cast judgment on others, everyone has a story. As Police Lieutenants, you are all well aware of the necessity to be a public servant as well as law enforcement officer depending on the situation. These are very important characteristics for the top law enforcement officer of the county to have and I hope you will see that I possess them.

• If elected St Louis County Sheriff, what will you do to maintain the current relationship between the Sheriff’s office and the Duluth Police Department? What ideas will you bring that will help improve or change this relationship? 

I have no previous experience in working within the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department or the Duluth Police Department, but I believe this gives me a great advantage. This means that I am coming into the position with a completely unbiased ear and will be listening to all sides to find out what is working and what needs to be improved upon within the relationship currently held between the Sheriff’s office and DPD. I will be able to take this feedback and tailor my response based on what I am observing and hearing from those that have experience within the departments. It is my belief that all organizations within St. Louis County, including the Duluth Police Department, should have some control over how the county is managed. My vision is to bring all local agencies together to work as a united front that can overcome the past and start a future that involves all branches of law enforcement implementing changes together. I see this as an ongoing partnership rather than a temporary relationship between the 911 Communication Center and the agencies that use it. I will arrange monthly meetings to get these organizations together and work on any issues that may arise. I would like to build a relationship on the basis of mending previous issues and work to create a long-lasting and healthy work environment between all agencies and the public they serve.

• Currently many of the St Louis County Sheriff’s Office resources have been available to the Duluth Police Department as the need has arisen. If elected Sheriff, do you plan to continue that policy or change it? Should you change it, what might those changes be? 

The Sheriff’s office in St. Louis County has many resources at it’s disposal. As such, these resources must be made available to all agencies within the county. As Sheriff, we will work as a large team to make sure all needs are being taken care of, even if that means using our own resources. There is a balance to be had in lending out resources outside of the SLCSO and using them within the agency. The Sheriff’s office will also collaborate to find an agreement amongst all agencies within the county when it comes to executing any changes. I am willing to listen to everyone and use them to form a change in policy if we all deem it necessary.

• The St Louis County Sheriff has direct control of the 911 Communications Center and the Jail. Because the Duluth Police Department is the largest consumer of these services, naturally there will be issues that arise from time to time that need to be addressed. How do you plan to identify these issues, and what will you do to include the Duluth Police Department prior to implementing any changes?

The day-to-day operations and management of the jail  and 911 Communications Center should be taken into account when implementing any changes and plans with other agencies in St. Louis County. Therefore, these other agencies will find that they have a voice and a vote in conducting business concerning the St. Louis County Jail and 911 Communications Center. Again, being that I have never been a part of the Sheriff’s Department, I have the unique ability to listen with an unbiased ear to all sides of the coin and find out the specific needs and issues within the relationship between the two agencies.

• Please provide a bio of what you would bring to the St Louis County Sheriff’s Office should you be elected. Specifically, what experience do you have in Law Enforcement, and what qualifications do you have to be Sheriff?

My professional experience includes:  Military Police Officer (various states and countries),  Civilian Police Officer (Huron, South Dakota and Moose Lake, MN), Controller, logistics, managing multimillion-dollar budgets and hundreds of people, and also owner and operator of Advanced Services, Inc. and Dead On Arms. I represent everyone in St. Louis County. I will continue to preserve the oath I have taken to uphold the constitution that protects the citizens’ rights.  I am here for the people. My vision is to incorporate the citizens into helping define and focus the activities at the Sheriff’s department. The public needs to control the level of law enforcement in their own area.  This means a complete attitude change for our Sheriff’s department. I want to stop the “us versus them” narrative by creating an environment where we can work together as a united team of citizens with all law enforcement. I will harmonize the efforts of all law enforcement agencies throughout northern Mn.  If law enforcement departments all work together instead of being territorial, we will raise the standards and be more consistent in how we are viewed by our residents. I represent the new generation of law enforcement.  I am a person who believes that we need to work hard to break down those barriers between agencies. I am a firm believer that a Sheriff should not just have law enforcement experience, but life experience as well. I own and run two successful businesses in St. Louis County. My knowledge as a businessman gives me a different perspective. Where others may look at this position as purely law enforcement, it also involves a great amount of customer service, bookkeeping, managing, and balancing budgets. My diversified background will help me to see things through a new set of eyes and give the county a new perspective that they have not seen in many years. This is not a one-person job, but one that needs an entire army of people to sustain the region. As your next Sheriff, I will bring all of this, and more, to the table.

I appreciate the time you have given me to explain my answers to your concerns and questions. I encourage you to reach out to me if you need any further explanations. 

Sincerely,

Chad Walsh

Candidate for St. Louis County Sheriff 2022