Why vote for Curt Vandertie
Vision Statement
Any Sheriff’s Office must be built on trust, accountability, and service. It must protect every citizen with fairness, compassion, and professionalism. My vision for the Door County Sheriff’s Office is to demonstrate pride in the badge, strengthen our connection with the community, and lead an agency that achieves those goals with transparency and integrity at every level.
Once elected, my commitment is to be a Sheriff for everyone; a Community Sheriff, committed to serving all people, regardless of background, beliefs, or politics. It is our duty to apply the law equally and fairly. Safety and justice are ideals we can all agree on. Every person in Door County should feel safe in their home, at work, in school, and in their community, knowing their Sheriff’s Office stands ready to protect them.
As a lifelong public servant, I understand the weight of leadership and the responsibility that comes with earning the public’s trust. I believe in a Sheriff’s Office that works with the community, not above it, where deputies are supported, families are protected, and communication is open and honest. Together, we can take pride in a department that reflects the best of Door County: hardworking people who look out for one another, stand up for what is right, and take care of their own.
My commitment is to lead by example, and be visible, accountable, and decisive in times of need. I will focus on real solutions that make Door County safer and stronger. Through collaboration, innovation, and an unwavering dedication to excellence, we will move forward together, one team, one community, and one standard of service.
1. Community: Policing With and For the People
Too often in today’s society, community engagement has been reduced to social media posts and public relations efforts that stop short of genuine connection. Under my leadership, community outreach will be the daily culture of the Sheriff’s Office, not an occasional appearance for the cameras. I will be a visible, approachable Sheriff who is present in your towns and villages, at your town halls, in your schools, and at your community events. I refuse to just sit behind a desk or on Facebook. I will also be visible and engaged during critical incidents that affect our community and our deputies, providing steady leadership, communication, and support when it matters most. Together, we will build authentic partnerships with schools, businesses, service organizations, faith communities, and neighborhood groups to solve problems collaboratively. Transparency will be standard, not selective, because the people of Door County deserve clear, consistent communication about what we are doing, why we are doing it, and how it impacts them.
2. Trust and Transparency Between the Sheriff’s Office and the Community
Leadership should always be looking to improve the culture and work environment within the Door County Sheriff’s Office. This is a key reason I am running for sheriff. I believe the foundation of any successful law enforcement agency begins with its people. When staff feel valued, supported, and heard, they perform at their best, and that directly impacts the quality of service we provide to our community.
As Sheriff, my focus will be ensuring trust within our organization, fostering open communication, and ensuring that every member of our team has the tools, training, and leadership support they need to succeed. A positive work culture is not just about morale, it is about accountability, professionalism, and pride in the badge.
With a focus on improving the internal culture, we can strengthen retention, attract high-quality candidates, and ultimately deliver better service to the citizens of Door County. Leadership starts from the top, and I intend to be a leader who sets the tone through action, respect, and transparency.
Effective law enforcement requires teamwork across all levels of local government. I will work closely with the County Board, town and village leaders, and our public safety partners to ensure Door County remains one of the safest and most supportive communities in Wisconsin.
3. Sheriff for All
Strong communities are built when the law is applied fairly and with respect for everyone. Safety and justice are ideals we can all agree on. As Sheriff, my focus will be on protecting every resident and visitor of Door County and serving the community as a whole. Public safety and justice should remain above politics, and every person should feel safe in their home, at work, in school, and in their community.
As Sheriff, I will make decisions based on fairness, facts, and the principles of justice, never politics or popularity. Whether you live in the city or in the county, or whether you have lived here your whole life or just moved to Door County, my responsibility is to protect you and your family with integrity and respect. Law enforcement should unite a community, and I am committed to building that trust every single day.
My oath is to the Constitution and to the people of Door County. That means equal protection under the law for everyone, without favoritism or bias. My top priority will always be keeping our communities safe and ensuring that every person, no matter who they are, what they believe, or how they vote, can count on the Door County Sheriff’s Office to stand up for what is right.
4. Protecting Our Children and Breaking the Cycle
The safety and well-being of our children must always be a top priority. Too many young people are facing dangers today, from online threats, sextortion scams, and bullying, as well as drug and alcohol use and mental health challenges that often go unseen. As Sheriff, I will work closely with our partners in the schools, including our School Resource Officers and community organizations, to keep our children safe, informed, and supported. Together, we will focus on prevention, education, and intervention, not just enforcement, to give kids the tools to make positive choices, resist peer pressure, and avoid risky behaviors that could harm their future.
Drugs and alcohol continue to destroy families and communities across Door County, and we must confront this issue head-on. Under my leadership, we will emphasize proactive patrols and strengthen our K9 program to get dangerous drugs off our streets and out of our schools. We will work closely with neighboring agencies and community partners to share information and resources, ensuring a united front against drug trafficking and abuse. At the same time, we will continue to connect individuals struggling with addiction to the help and support they need to rebuild their lives. Accountability and compassion must go hand in hand if we are going to break the cycle.
Mental health also remains one of the greatest challenges facing law enforcement today. Our deputies encounter individuals in crisis every day, both on patrol and in the jail. I will continue to prioritize training in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) methods and de-escalation techniques to ensure the safest and most positive outcomes possible. After the crisis, we will work hand in hand with Door County Human Services and community partners to connect people with long-term care, counseling, and support so they can become productive members of our community.
Finally, we must address the unfortunate issue of repeat offenders who cycle through the system without lasting change, negatively impacting others in our community.
As Sheriff, I will work collaboratively with our judges, the District Attorney’s Office, Probation and Parole, diversion programs, the jail, and Human Services to find dynamic solutions that stop the revolving door of reoffending. Within our jail, we will continue to focus on safety, rehabilitation, and accountability, ensuring inmates have access to programs and resources that reduce recidivism and prepare them to re-enter the community as peaceful contributors. We will strengthen partnerships with Human Services, treatment providers, and educational programs to address the root causes of criminal behavior such as addiction, unemployment, and mental health challenges. My goal is to create a correctional environment that promotes responsibility and positive change while maintaining security and order. Rehabilitation is not about being lenient; it is about giving individuals the tools to make better choices, reduce repeat offenses, and ultimately make Door County a safer place for everyone.
5. Commitment to Excellence: Service Beyond the Badge
For nearly three decades, I have dedicated my life to public service, serving as a Patrol Deputy with the Door County Sheriff’s Office and as a Fire Chief within Door County. These leadership roles have given me the experience to make tough decisions, respond to major emergencies, and manage large-scale incidents while keeping people safe and operations organized. I have learned the importance of staying calm under pressure, communicating clearly, and leading by example during the most critical moments.
I understand the importance of being fiscally responsible while still providing the highest level of service our citizens expect and deserve. Throughout my career, I have worked to secure grants and funding opportunities to help offset costs and bring new equipment, training, and technology to our teams. Strong leadership means being efficient, forward thinking, and transparent with how we use public resources.
As Sheriff, I will ensure that our patrol, investigations, jail, and office support staff receive the recognition, respect, and support they deserve. That support extends beyond the job, including attention to their mental and physical well-being and providing guidance during and after critical incidents. I will also ensure victims and their families receive the compassion, communication, and follow-up they deserve throughout the justice process.
Good enough is not good enough. Under my leadership, the Door County Sheriff’s Office will set a new standard of excellence built on professionalism, compassion, and measurable results. We will cultivate a diverse and skilled team of specialists, ensuring our deputies receive the training, resources, and support they need to perform at their highest level. Leadership means leading from the front. I will mentor, inspire, and work alongside our team to build a culture of accountability and pride in the badge.
Effectiveness will be measured by real outcomes, not appearances. Programs will be evaluated by how well they serve the community. Our mission will be clear: to protect, serve, and continuously improve. Through collaboration, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, we will advance a Sheriff’s Office that the people of Door County can trust, respect, and be proud of.
