With both candidates representing the Republican party, the Walworth County Sheriff’s race is set to be decided during the Aug. 9 primary election.
Undersheriff Dave Gerber and Detective Craig Konopski will challenge for the seat that will be open when current sheriff Kurt Picknell retires in December.
Both are employees of the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department, with numerous years of experience.
Each candidate was asked to return a biography, and answer three questions: 1. What is the biggest challenge facing law enforcement right now, and how would you address it as sheriff? 2. There have been numerous high-profile cases in the media over the last two years regarding law enforcement and race. What is the perception vs. reality of the situation? 3. If there is one major initiative you’d like to see happen in the county, what is it and why?
Dave Gerber
The Walworth County undersheriff has 27 years of full-time law enforcement experience, starting with the Village of East Troy Police Department. He joined the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department in 1997 – and continued as a part-time officer for another 15 years.
As undersheriff, Gerber is second in command, oversees all the office operations and is responsible for the department’s $28 million budget. Among his past duties are chair of the Walworth County Traffic Safety Commission, and administering the Traffic Crash Investigation Team, the Fugitive Task Force and the Gang Unit, among other responsibilities.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in criminal justice and a minor in sociology. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, has served as an instructor at Gateway Technical College and has conducted instructor recertification at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.
In response to question 1, Gerber said the biggest issue facing law enforcement is staffing – and the problem is nationwide.
“The ‘defund the police’ movement and the constant scrutiny of our employees for simply doing their jobs, the jobs you ask them to do every day, is what is taking a toll on our current workforce and preventing others from entering the field,” Gerber said. “Our employees are not perfect, they make mistakes and we hold them accountable, but the vast majority – including our 214 employees at the sheriff’s office – are hard-working, good, honest people.”
He said he would continue to fight for increased pay and benefits, as well as re-implement the Police Explorer Post and Citizens Academy to get youth involved. He stressed he would not lower the hiring standards.
For question two, Gerber said simply that law enforcement tries to provide the highest level of service to “ALL we serve.”
“We currently have a diversified employee workforce,” he explained, adding that there is a perception nationwide, if not locally – and that media is a part of this. He added that he is committed to making sure he and the rest of the staff “treats everyone with respect and dignity.”
As for what he would like to implement, Gerber said he wanted to continue to foster cooperation between all county agencies.
“In terms of training, sharing of resources, information sharing and additional multijurisdictional initiatives,” he said. “My goal is to ensure we all work as a team.”
Craig Konopski
From his campaign page, Konopski said the following: “I am a Walworth County Sheriff’s Detective who fights for law and order. I am the current union President for the Walworth County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. I am a veteran and a patriot. I stand for the flag and only kneel for GOD and my fallen brothers and sisters. I am a true leader and not afraid to fight for the people. I am your next Sheriff of Walworth County.”
Konopski served in the U.S. Navy in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He graduated from Upper Iowa University and started a career in law enforcement in 1997.
He worked in Milwaukee and Walworth counties for 17 years, the last seven of which as a detective for the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department. He is also the president of the Walworth County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
Both candidates hold several different training certifications.
In response to the questions, Konopski said the biggest issue in the county is the rise in drug use and trafficking. He intends to return the Sheriff’s Office metro drug unit to full staffing and work for interagency cooperation.
He also wants to move deputy training to beyond the state’s minimum requirements.
For question two, he said perception is that people are not always treated equally. He conceded there is tension, but that as a sheriff, he would commit to following the United States and Wisconsin constitutions.
As for question three, Konopski said he would like to complete the ongoing radio project, which would provide all communications for fire, EMS and law enforcement agencies. The upgraded system, he said, would make it easier for everyone to respond.
“This major project has been sitting dormant for the past decade and only recently (is) being started up again,” he said.
