1.) Tell us about yourself and your background.
I was raised in a small town on the Iron Range of Minnesota. During high school, I was heavily involved in athletics as a manager and assistant athletic director, and I volunteered as a downhill ski instructor for the Special Olympics and local youth programs.
I have over 22 years of law enforcement experience with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, where I currently serve as a Commander of Administration Services within the Patrol Division. My diverse background includes leadership roles in the Honor Guard, Water Patrol, and Community Support Services. I have also served in the Warrant Division, Real Time Information Center, Adult Detention Center, and various patrol divisions. Additionally, I am a Police Officer and Training Coordinator for the Minnesota State Fair Police Department.
2.) Why are you running?
After speaking with community members, neighbors, city leaders, and sheriff’s office employees, it became clear that Washington County needs a new style of leadership. My decision to run is driven by my 22 years of experience, a commitment to building strong community relationships, and a desire to bring innovation to the office. I believe the time for bold, compassionate, and resilient leadership is now. I am eager to serve the community I call home in a greater capacity.
3.) What are areas of improvement in the sheriff department that you will address?
- Community Engagement: Prioritizing relationship building and transparency.
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Implementing a Co-Response model with social workers and deputies to provide real-time support and treatment.
- Staff Engagement: Listening to sworn and professional staff to better support the agency.
- Youth Programming: Developing diversion and engagement programs to guide at-risk youth.
- Partnerships: Enhancing collaboration with local law enforcement, government officials, and community partners.
- Employee Wellness: Investing in better work environments and competitive benefits with direct input from the front lines.
- Technology: Leveraging grants and new resources to tackle violent crime.
- Bold Leadership: Implementing authentic policies, such as public body camera release protocols, and being adaptive to public needs.
- Specialized Units: Creating a multi-disciplinary task force for violent crime and a motor vehicle enforcement unit to address distracted and impaired driving.
4.) What sets you apart from the other candidates?
My focus is on creating a sheriff’s office rooted in mutual respect and transparency. I understand that to provide high-quality public safety, we must first support our staff with the right tools, technology, and compensation to retain top talent. My approach combines innovative youth intervention to prevent criminal justice involvement with aggressive, technology-driven strategies to combat violent crime. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated the ability to build strong partnerships with city governments to resolve unique local challenges quickly and effectively.
5.) What is your website for people to get involved?
www.bolenforsheriff.com
Please feel free to reach out with any other questions you might have. Thank you!
Best regards,
Jeremy Bolen
