Wadena County Sheriff Mike Carr said Monday he’s running for a third-term.
“I certainly appreciate the confidence, the trust and continued support of the people who have backed me both professionally and personally," Carr said in a news release. "I believe together we have accomplished many important things on behalf of both the office and the citizens that we serve. It has truly been an honor to serve as your Sheriff. I have set out many goals and established high standards. I have a great staff that works tirelessly to make Wadena County a safe place to live and raise a family.”
First elected in 2006, and re-elected in 2010, Carr is a 20-year veteran of law enforcement.
He started his career with the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s office in 1994, then first joined the Wadena County force the following year. Before becoming a full-time Wadena County sheriff’s deputy, he served as a full-time patrol officer in Menahga, Baxter and Wadena and a part-time officer in Verndale and Staples.
So far, Carr faces no challenger in the November election.
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A Wadena High School graduate, Carr - who lives in Verndale with his 15-year-old daughter Jordan - completed an associate of arts degree at Brainerd Community College, a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice at Bemidji State University, and Skills Component Training at Hibbing Community College.
In 2007, he graduated from the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association School, and graduated from the National Sheriff’s School in Longmont, Colorado in 2008. Currently, he serves as the third vice president of the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association.
Carr has attended many leadership training courses throughout his career, specializing in adult and child protection investigation and narcotics investigation, is a field training officer and Wadena/Hubbard County Swat Team team leadeR. “We have turned our sheriff’s office into one of the most progressive and innovative in Greater Minnesota, successfully implementing the latest technological advances,” Carr said. “I am very proud of how we, as law enforcement, have responded to the several natural disasters that have occurred in Wadena County over the past seven years, and the cooperation that has grown between multi-jurisdictional agencies we deal with on a regular basis, including law enforcement, fire departments, first responders and ambulance services. This type of interaction is essential to providing a safe community, especially when it comes to dealing with catastrophic events." Carr said he welcomes citizen input into how the sheriff's office works. “Together, we can and will make a difference," he said. "We will continue to work to make your roads safe, and work hard in the schools for your children’s safety. We have and will continue to be part of the West Central Drug Task Force, trying to rid our county of illegal drugs and illicit prescription drug traffic." Whatever is a concern for Wadena County citizens is a concern for him, Carr said. “I know that when family members may have to be incarcerated in jail, it becomes difficult for everyone involved. We work hard to keep our jail clean and scoring high with the Department of Corrections – last year’s rating was 99.9%. I encourage our staff to treat all inmates and prisoners with respect and dignity, while still keeping the public safe. Public safety is what you elect your sheriff to ensure, and I trust my staff to make that happen." One of the most difficult issues facing the sheriff's office today is the amount of funding available, he said.
"In addressing funding issues, we strategically and diligently review all line item expenses on a routine basis to track how your money is being spent. Budgets reflect personnel costs as well as the supplies and equipment associated with said personnel; a careful review of those expenditures is done regularly to ensure maximum efficiency without affecting public safety,” Carr said. “We are providing cross-training sessions in which we have instructors who train sheriff’s office staff along with the officers of our local police departments in applicable areas to reduce costs for county and city taxpayers. I believe that innovative ideas and exchange of information are important to address the never-ending issues of how to provide the best possible service at the lowest possible cost. These accomplishments can only be obtained through hard work by a very dedicated staff working together, sharing the same vision and goals.
Carr said "it has truly been a humbling experience and honor to serve the residents of Wadena County as your sheriff,” he said. “If re-elected, I promise to strive for continued fiscal responsibility, and to provide you with the same level of law enforcement professionalism as I have these past seven years.”
Carr is a member of the Verndale Fire Department, Wadena Elks Club, Stocking Lake Booster Club, Knob Hill Sportsman Club, Wadena Rotary, Immanuel Lutheran Church (Wadena), Minnesota Sheriff’s Association, National Sheriff’s Association, West Central Drug Task Force Board, and CHAMPS of Wadena County.
