July 16 Debate between Durrant and Wilz

By Trey Foerster

Two Republican candidates running for Waupaca County Sheriff faced off in a debate on June 16 at Par 4 in Waupaca. The event was sponsored by the Waupaca County Republican Party.

The candidates are incumbent one-term Sheriff Timothy Wilz and WCSD Sgt. Detective Cameron Durrant.

Many submitted voter questions were read to both candidates and each responded.

Durrant’s opening statement indicated he was running because of his concern about current and future public safety, concern about staff firings at the WCSD, the fractured relationships and distrusts in the community, and to rebuild the morale at the WCSD.

Wilz indicated he originally sought the sheriff position because of the poor spending habits of the WCSD, there were no merit promotions and promotions were based on the most liked people and most years of service, and there was bitterness and disrespect in the department. His goals for another term include spending at or below the WCSD budget, training, increased school safety, support for the diving team and the drone program.

Question 1: What is your leadership style?

Wilz indicated he would emphasize vision, inspiration, and respect.

Durrant stated he would implement what he learned in the FBI Leadership Program, coordinate leadership in the WCSD, and make better leaders within the agency.

Question 2: What are your 30- and 90-day goals?

Durrant’s 30-day goal would have the WCSD fix relationships with judges and the courts. His 90-day goal would be to improve the morale in the WCSD.

Wilz’s 30-day goal would be to rebuild relationships with the District Attorney’s Office. His 90-day goal would be to talk, communicate, and listen with staff. He also stated that there is no morale issue with the jail staff.

Question 3: List three key areas you do well with and identify your three top priorities.

Wilz included as his top two staff and getting out into the community. His priorities are communication with the DA and more programs in the community and schools.

Durrant’s key area include communication, technology, and equipment. Top priorities are relationship with the DA, leadership, and communication with the media.

Question 4: What is your experience in managing large budgets?

Durrant indicated his knowledge comes via his management degree from Concordia University.

Wilz stated he has 31/2 years of experience in dealing with the WCSD budget. He emphasized he has a “great” relationship with the department’s financial head and the WCSD has been under budget for the past two years.

Question 4: What are the challenges of recruitment with wages and benefits?

According to Wilz, “Employees want more money and more time off.” He indicated that there was a recruitment issue for Dispatch positions but that the jail has good recruitment.

Durrant indicated there are morale problems in Dispatch and Detectives. “If that is controlled, it will influence recruitment,” he said.

Question 5: How are you going to handle sex, drug, and mental illness issues?

Durrant stated that drugs are the biggest issue in the county and that more counseling is needed. He favors Drug Court expansion. For sex trafficking, Durrant stated that the WCSD needs to work with other agencies.

Wilz indicated that “we have a human trafficking problem” and that it comes “out of the strip joint”. He also underlined that there is a drug task forcer and a WCSD relationship with the DEA. He favors more intervention with mental health.

Question 7: Share your position on what you feel the most important Amendments are.

Durrant, as an “avid hunter and sportsman,” chose the 2^nd Amendment and also felt the 4^th Amendment against illegal search and seizure was important. He indicated that search and seizure should be properly done and that there is an issue with that now at the WCSD.

Wilz chose the 2^nd Amendment stating that he supported concealed carry. He is opposed to red flag laws and would not “enforce any of them on my watch.”

Question 8: What is your greatest failure and what did you learn?

Wilz related a story about when he first became sheriff, “I wanted to know about everything,” what every department did. His lesson was to let the persons who run the various operations speak first.

Durrant admitted his mistake was not applying for the FBI when he had the chance. He now helps the WCSD.

Question 9: How are you going to work with local police departments?

For Durrant, it will be with rebuilding relationships and having monthly meetings to hear about their needs. He charged that there has been no active shooter training under Wilz in 2022.

Wilz countered those charges by stating that there was just a chiefs meeting “which is where we all listen and share.” He stated there were active shooter trainings in 2018, 2019, and 2020. In 2021, there was no training because of COVID. He is starting plans for active shooter training in 2022.

Question 10: Where do you see yourself in five years from now?

Wilz said “reelected as sheriff.”

Durrant said “retired.”

Question 11: How would you handle promotions and terminations in the department?

Durrant stated it would be done “on a fair basis,” by having a set of across-the-board standards and involved outside agencies to get the best person. He indicated that terminations would depend upon the violation and that “it should be a learning experience.”

Wilz too thinks promotions should be fair, based on merits, ethics, and professionalism of the candidates. He stated that terminations are done in a process involving human resource and the attorney.

Question 12: What are your views on courthouse security?

Wilz indicated that there are two officers in the courthouse, one parttime. He believes they are necessary “especially for screening people” when they come into the building.

Durrant agreed with Wilz and stated, “it is way overdue.”

Question 13: What is your view of the Sheriff’s duty and the 2^nd Amendment?

Durrant said he will enforce laws as required.

Wilz stated that the 2^nd Amendment rights “shall not be infringed upon” and that he will stand with the People.

Question 14: How do you stand on reduced incarceration?

According to Durrant, it depends on the violation and the crime history of the person. He stated that the county has an issue with OWI violations and ankle bracelets and the money it allows the county to keep.

Wilz has an issue with 6^th and 7^th violations for OWI and those persons getting an ankle bracelet. “We should hold people accountable” and that it’s “not always about the money.” He supports bracelets for minor crimes.

Summaries

In his summation, Wilz indicated that “a small number of individuals” have “personal agendas” in the WCSD. He believes that government overreach is a challenge. Wilz is committed to truth and justice and will work toward greater safety. His choices will be for the betterment of the WCSD. He also stressed that today there is a hostile culture toward law enforcement officers.

For Durrant, he spoke about violations occurring within the WCSD with regards to evidence. He stated that the WCSD is part of the prosecution team. He stated that there have been incidences concerning evidence to impeach a witness and withholding of evidence with police reports and a Sheriff coverup. He also indicated that he will rebuild morale in the WCSD.