Wright County voters elected a new sheriff in this week’s elections. Current Wright County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Matt Treichler won with a comfortable margin over his opponent, Rob Mossman.
Treichler has more than 25 years of experience with the department, including several years as the department’s Chief Deputy.
The Sheriff-elect told KRWC Radio news on election night that the campaign and election was just a lead-in to the real work ahead…
“Obviously it’s a big responsibility, it’s a lot of work to get to this point. A lot of events, a lot of talking to people and hearing their concerns and getting to meet other elected officials throughout the county as well. As much work as that is, I think the real work is just beginning. You want to, you know, make sure that you’re living up to the expectations that people have in you. To make sure you’re doing everything you can for the people who voted you into the office.”
For many years, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office have provided contract police coverage for all but three cities in the county. Sheriff-elect Treichler says he believes those agreements will continue…
“I think it will continue. If you look statewide, a lot of smaller police departments in the state have actually closed, disbanded, and the local county sheriff’s office have taken up those contracts. So Wright County has 13 contracts out of the 16 cities. Annandale, Buffalo and Howard Lake have their own police departments, and the other 13 contract with the sheriff’s office for their police coverage. I think that trend will continue, I think the sheriff’s office provides a very cost-effective program for those cities. If you do the math and look at what the cost of a PD would have, and also look at the liability they’re taking on if they have a PD, the county’s able to provide that service at a pretty cost-effective manner. I think also just making sure that as the county grows, to make sure that we have an agency that people want to work for, so that we can staff for those increased public safety needs for our cities.”
Treichler will take over for Sheriff Sean Deringer who is retiring from his position at the end of his current term. Treichler is scheduled to be sworn in on January 4th of 2027.
