EPHRATA — As Grant County voters prepare to select their next sheriff, incumbent Joey Kriete and challengers Josh Sainsbury and Darrick Gregg are competing in the upcoming primary election. To help readers compare the candidates' priorities, qualifications and plans for the office, each was asked the same question and given an equal opportunity to respond. 

This installment focuses on one of the most pressing challenges facing law enforcement agencies: recruiting, retaining and supporting qualified staff within the Grant County Sheriff's Office. 

Ballots for the primary election must be postmarked or returned by Aug. 4. 

Kriete: When I took office as the incumbent Sheriff, the Grant County Sheriff's Office was down 25 employees, not including the additional full-time positions we later added by working with our County Commissioners to meet the growing needs of our community. While law enforcement agencies across Washington continue to struggle with recruiting and retaining qualified employees, our team has hired more than 70 new employees without relying on costly sign-on bonuses. More than half of our patrol hires have been experienced lateral deputies from other agencies, and approximately one-third of our corrections hires have also been laterals. Those results demonstrate that people are choosing Grant County because of our culture, leadership, professional standards, and investment in our employees. 

Our approach has been to invest in the entire organization rather than offering large cash incentives to individual applicants. Instead of spending taxpayer dollars on sign-on bonuses, we have invested in competitive wages, training, wellness, equipment, and professional development that benefit every employee and strengthen our Sheriff's Office. Our community deserves deputies, corrections officers, and professional staff who choose Grant County because they want to serve this community and build a career here, not because they are chasing the next bonus check. 

Our employees are our greatest asset. We will continue investing in exceptional training, leadership development, and the tools they need to succeed while maintaining the high hiring standards our communities deserve. That commitment will ensure the Grant County Sheriff's Office remains an agency of choice for the best law enforcement professionals. 

Gregg: Recruiting and retaining quality employees begins with leadership. Equipment, wages, and benefits are important, but people stay where they feel valued, respected, supported, and where they know their leadership genuinely cares about them. That is why my campaign has centered on servant leadership. 

As Sheriff, I will be present and engaged with our employees. I believe leadership means getting out of the office, listening to our patrol deputies, corrections staff and support staff, while understanding the challenges they face, and giving them a voice in improving our organization. Employees should know they are heard, their concerns matter, and their contributions are appreciated. 

When you build a culture of trust, accountability, transparency, and respect, people want to stay. They become invested in the organization and take pride in serving their community. That kind of culture also attracts quality applicants because people want to work for an agency with strong leadership and a positive reputation. 

Professional development will also be a priority. I will support quality training, mentoring, leadership development, and opportunities for career advancement so our employees can continue to grow throughout their careers. Investing in our people is one of the best investments we can make. 

My goal is to make the Grant County Sheriff's Office an agency where people choose to build a career, not because they have to, but because they believe in the mission, trust their leadership, and know they are part of an organization that values them. When we take care of our employees, they will take exceptional care of the citizens of Grant County. 

Sainsbury: To improve staffing and retention, we have to improve morale. I would show the employees that they are valued and create a positive culture. As the Sheriff, we would provide a clear and positive direction. We have to lead by example and work through challenges. Providing high-quality training and working with all Grant County agencies to build relationships and bonds to make sure all the citizens are getting the best service while we all work together.