Statement

From day one, our campaign has been focused on the future, not the past. We’ve focused on listening to the community, serving others, sharing ideas, and offering a positive vision of the future of the Sheriff’s Office. Listening to you, one of the topics discussed is that of personnel records. Some may wonder why I waited until now to address this. Unfortunately, this matter requires context and cannot be explained fully and honestly without discussing decisions made under my opponent’s leadership. I did not want this campaign to become focused on personal criticism or the past, but the continued rumors and insinuations make it necessary for me to share the facts.

Like many of you, I’m tired of a political climate that tears people down instead of building communities up. While I would have preferred to avoid the negativity, I also want transparency and this matter provides some additional insight into why I am seeking to be Your Community Sheriff.

Over the past few months there have been several open records requests for my personnel files from individuals and some local media groups. The first of those requests was submitted the day after the Sheriff publicly announced her campaign for re-election. I was given the opportunity to object to these releases, but I have not once objected. I am very proud of my character, integrity, and reputation. 

For nearly three decades serving in law enforcement, fire service, EMS, and community leadership roles, I consistently met or exceeded expectations and never faced formal discipline prior to 2022. In November 2021, I informed the Sheriff that I intended to run for Door County Sheriff. Shortly after that conversation, I became the subject of an internal investigation. One part of that investigation focused on my patrol activities during community engagement. Our patrol car serves as our office. We complete reports, monitor calls, and remain available for service while working from locations throughout the county. Throughout my career, it was common practice for deputies to complete reports from driveways, fire stations, schools, public parking lots, and other locations while remaining in service. It was also common practice to be visible and engaged at school functions, community festivals, local businesses, and neighborhood events as part of community engagement. 

During my career, I attended events at every Door County high school, visited local businesses, community festivals, and even stopped to encourage children at neighborhood lemonade stands. These interactions were about building relationships, maintaining a visible law enforcement presence, strengthening trust within the community, and remaining available to respond to calls for service. I believed I was carrying out the same community engagement practices deputies had used for years to build trust, strengthen relationships, and maintain a visible presence throughout Door County. Following my discipline, the Sheriff's Office issued a department-wide directive establishing written rules governing many of the practices addressed in the investigation. Prior to that directive, those expectations had never been formally documented for patrol deputies.

The investigation also included findings related to my supervision of a probationary deputy while serving as a Field Training Officer. Throughout my career, I have successfully trained and supervised employees, both men and women and this was the only personnel matter of its kind in my career of public service. My responsibility as a Field Training Officer was to document performance, identify deficiencies, provide immediate constructive feedback, and ensure probationary deputies met the standards. During the training process, my evaluations and documentation were routinely reviewed by Field Training Supervisors. At no time during the deputy's training were concerns raised regarding my supervision or training methods. In fact, many of the documented performance concerns were also identified by other Field Training Officers and supervisors. These concerns were not brought to my attention until several months after the deputy had completed the Field Training Program. I understand that feedback may be difficult to receive. My responsibility was to prepare deputies to succeed, ensure their safety, and protect the public.

While I respectfully disagree with aspects of the investigation's conclusions, I accepted the discipline, completed every requirement asked of me, and continued serving the community with professionalism and dedication. I remain a Field Training Officer and successfully trained another probationary deputy using the same documentation standards and training approach without any concerns or complaints. More than four years later, this remains the only formal discipline in nearly three decades of public service. My annual performance evaluations before, during and after this isolated incident consistently recognized my professionalism, leadership, and commitment to serving the people of Door County. I remain committed to leading with professionalism, fairness, accountability, integrity, and genuine community connection. 

I have never asked anyone to ignore what happened in March 2022. Yes, I received discipline. Did I agree with the process? No. Did I agree with the outcome? No. But I chose to move forward, continue serving this community, and let my work speak for itself.

I will continue to run a positive campaign focused on the future, solutions, and the people of Door County. However, choosing to remain positive should never be mistaken for weakness. I will not back down, I will not be intimidated, and I will absolutely stand up for my character, my integrity, and the truth. Through my genuine community connection, I trust the people of Door County to judge me by the totality of my career and my lifelong commitment to serving this community.

Curt Vandertie
Your Community Sheriff