Vern Wittenberg candidate for Clearwater County Sheriff

Hello, my name is Vern Wittenberg and I am proud to announce my candidacy for the office of Clearwater County Sheriff.

I was appointed as Chief Deputy for Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office by retiring Sheriff Darin Halverson in July of 2017 and have served honorably under his command since that time. Prior to my appointment as the Chief Deputy, I started my career in Law Enforcement as Communication & Corrections Officer (CCO) in Clearwater County in 2002. I was then hired as a part time Deputy under Sheriff Denny Trandem in April 2003. I worked briefly for Leech Lake Tribal Police Department before getting hired fulltime by the Thief River Falls Police Department in February 2005 as a Patrol officer, serving the citizens of Thief River Falls for just over 12 years.

I was born and raised on a farm outside of Gonvick where I now live with my family. I attended Gonvick School until the Clearbrook – Gonvick consolidation; graduating from Clearbrook - Gonvick School in 1999. I went on to college at Hibbing Community College where I received my degree in Law Enforcement. I am married to another Clearwater County local, Kari, daughter of Ginger Brusewitz and Lester Bjerke. We have one daughter, Peyton, who is currently a sophomore at Clearbrook – Gonvick School.  I am currently serving my second term on the Clearbrook – Gonvick School Board. In my spare time I love spending time with my family, hunting, fishing, motorcycling, and spending time at our cabin on Long Lost Lake in Southern Clearwater County.

My family has a long history of law enforcement in Clearwater County. My mother, Maxine Wittenberg, started as a Dispatcher and later a CCO for Clearwater County from 1978 until her retirement in 2004. My brother, Dick Wittenberg, started his career at the Gonvick Police Department in 1980. He then moved on to Springfield MN Police Department. He continued his career at the Minnesota State Patrol when he retired in 2012 as Captain of Northwest State Patrol District 3200 out of Thief River Falls. Later, he was appointed as the Chief of Police for Thief River Falls where he served 5 years.

Qualities that I bring to the Office of Sheriff are:

• 24 years of Law Enforcement Experience
• A current working knowledge of the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office and Jail
• Leadership, accountability, and professionalism
• Constitutional Policing
• Community trust
• Rural & landowner values
• Operational law enforcement experience
• Certified Field Training Officer
• Certified Firearms instructor

Since I was appointed Chief Deputy, I have completed the following trainings and certifications:

• Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association “Institute for Credible Leadership Development” (ICLD) training, which consists of 183 hours of leadership training.
• National Command & Staff College’s MAGNUS OVEA Leadership training.
• Certified Evidence Manager and I am a member in good standing with the Minnesota Association of Property and Evidence Technicians (MAPET).
• Active with the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association (MSA).
• I hold a FAA UAV (Drone) Pilots license and I am one of the Sheriff’s Office UAV program’s pilots.
• I am currently enrolled in the Minnesota BCA Supervision and Senior Leadership certificate programs.

If elected, I will continue to expand on the solid foundation of leadership that Sheriff Halverson and others before him have laid. I look forward to continuing to serve all residents of Clearwater County as your Sheriff and I would appreciate your vote in this upcoming election.