MOSES LAKE — With less than a week remaining before ballots are due for the Aug. 4 primary election, Grant County voters had an opportunity to hear directly from the three candidates seeking to become the county's next sheriff during a recent Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce candidate forum. 

Incumbent Sheriff Joey Kriete, Moses Lake Police Department Sgt. Darrick Gregg and Grant County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Josh Sainsbury each answered questions about leadership, accountability, employee morale, training, jail operations and public safety. 

The sheriff's race has been shaped in part by recent discussions surrounding employee morale within the sheriff's office, a vote of no confidence conducted by the Grant County Deputy Sheriffs' Association and questions about staffing and operation of the county's new jail facility. 

Primary election ballots must be postmarked or returned by Election Day. 

The full forum video is available on the Columbia Basin Herald Facebook page at bit.ly/PrimaryCandidateForum. 

Joey Kriete

Kriete, who is seeking a second term, emphasized his more than three decades with the Grant County Sheriff's Office and pointed to accomplishments achieved during his first term. 

Kriete said the agency has implemented proactive crime units, expanded employee wellness programs, worked with county and statewide partners to reduce recidivism and improve inmate re-entry services, and increased transparency within the organization. 

He also highlighted his leadership role at the state level, noting he serves as president-elect of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. 

“We've done some really amazing things within the sheriff's office,” Kriete said. 

When asked how voters should weigh the agency's hiring successes against reported morale concerns and a recent vote of no confidence by members of the Deputy Sheriffs' Association, Kriete defended his administration's record. 

According to Kriete, more than 60 percent of new hires have experienced lateral transfers from other law enforcement agencies. 

“When they come into our interviews, they say over 90% of the time, we want to come here because we like the culture, we like the morale, and it feels like a family,” Kriete said. 

Kriete acknowledged leadership decisions do not always satisfy everyone but said many concerns raised after the no-confidence vote had not previously been brought to his attention during regular meetings with association leadership. 

The Columbia Basin Herald previously reported that the Deputy Sheriffs' Association conducted a vote of no confidence in June. While Kriete confirmed the vote occurred, the association has not released results publicly and has declined comment. A public records request filed by the Herald seeking documentation related to the vote remains under review by Grant County officials. 

County officials initially estimated records would be released by July 24, but later extended the review deadline to July 31, citing ongoing legal review and collection of records. 

Kriete said he has since met with association representatives and described those discussions as constructive. 

“The number one thing we want to do as an organization is be better,” Kriete said. 

On jail operations, Kriete pointed to his 10.5 years of corrections leadership experience and stressed the importance of opening the county's new jail in phases rather than immediately filling all available beds. 

The new facility was designed to hold more than 500 inmates, significantly more than the existing jail population. 

Kriete said gradual implementation is necessary to ensure systems function properly and staff are adequately trained before housing large numbers of inmates. 

He also emphasized programs designed to reduce repeat offenses through recovery services, community partnerships and inmate support programs. 

“We don't want them there,” Kriete said of inmates. “I sure as heck don't want them coming back.” 

Darrick Gregg

Gregg centered much of his forum appearance around a single theme: accountability. 

A former Grant County Sheriff's Office chief deputy who now serves as a patrol sergeant with the Moses Lake Police Department, Gregg said his experience working in Royal City, Grant County and Moses Lake has given him a unique perspective on law enforcement needs throughout the county. 

“I will hold people accountable,” Gregg said repeatedly throughout the forum. 

Responding to a question regarding accountability and leadership, Gregg said voters can expect active, visible leadership from him if elected. 

“I will never see you from behind a desk,” he said. “I will work the road. I will work with the deputies. I will come out and handle calls for service.” 

Gregg argued effective leadership requires working alongside employees and maintaining trust within the organization. 

“If your people aren't happy, they will never follow you, and they won't trust you,” he said. 

Gregg's departure from the sheriff's office was previously the subject of public scrutiny. In 2022, Gregg and former Chief Deputy Dustin Canfield filed tort claims seeking $10 million in damages from Grant County. The claims alleged retaliation after the pair raised concerns regarding an investigation into former Chief Deputy Ken Jones, brother of former Sheriff Tom Jones. Both men alleged the resulting work environment became intolerable and ultimately led to their resignations.  

The county referred the claims to its insurer, and Gregg was asked during the forum about accountability without discussing specifics of the matter. 

Gregg did not address the lawsuit directly but said accountability has defined his law enforcement career since taking his oath of office in 2003, he said the lawsuit was just another example of that.  

Regarding jail overcrowding and public safety, Gregg argued that law enforcement officers need sufficient jail capacity to hold offenders accountable. 

As a patrol supervisor, Gregg said current jail limitations can make it difficult for officers to lodge offenders. 

The centerpiece of his proposed solution is staffing. 

“I want to hold people accountable, and I can't do that if I can't put people in jail,” Gregg said. 

Gregg questioned why staffing shortages continue despite the county having approved additional criminal justice funding years ago and said improving conditions for corrections staff would be a priority. 

Josh Sainsbury

Sainsbury, a longtime sheriff's office employee, highlighted his 25 years with the agency and described himself as a candidate focused on employee morale, retention and training. 

Sainsbury said one of his top goals would be stabilizing staffing levels within the agency. 

According to Sainsbury, the sheriff's office has hired 86 employees in recent years while employing approximately 140 total, which he said reflects substantial turnover. 

“My first priority as sheriff is to improve and strengthen our morale in our agency,” Sainsbury said. 

He also pledged to ensure deputies remain compliant with state-mandated training requirements. 

That issue surfaced during the forum when Sainsbury was asked about missed in-service training dates in 2024 while he oversaw the training division. 

Sainsbury said scheduling challenges and staffing limitations contributed to the issue. 

He explained that one training sergeant simultaneously served as the agency's liaison for events at the Gorge Amphitheatre before retiring late that year. Organizing extensive training sessions requires significant preparation, he said. 

“In 2024, yes, we did not get that scheduled because we were lacking manpower,” Sainsbury said. 

He added that training schedules have since improved and that all four annual in-service training sessions are now scheduled. 

On jail operations, Sainsbury agreed that staffing remains the largest challenge confronting the new facility. 

He said the current Ephrata jail typically houses approximately 130 to 140 inmates, while the new jail is designed for 512 beds. 

Like Kriete, Sainsbury said the facility will need to open in phases. 

He estimated the county would need roughly 15 to 20 additional employees along with expanded medical staffing before the facility could be fully operational. 

“We are short staffed, and so I will have to work with the county commissioners to get the adequate money to be able to staff the jail fully,” Sainsbury said. 

    Joey Kriete
  

    Darrick Gregg
  

    Josh Sainsbury