Alex Pruismann

Alex Pruismann wants to be your next sheriff.

He announced he was seeking the office shortly after current Hamilton County Sheriff Doug Timmons notified the county that he will retire at the end of this year.

Pruismann, 36, is in his 14th year of law enforcement and is currently a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy.

A campaign kickoff will be Saturday, February 17, at the Blairsburg Opera House. This is a freewill chili supper.

It begins at 5 p.m.

Pruismann is from the small northeast Hamilton County town.

“I grew up in Blairsburg and have been a resident of Hamilton County my whole life,” he said.

“In 2010 I graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in communications and that led me to law enforcement and being hired with the Iowa Falls Police Department in 2010 where I was able to hone my skills by dealing with many people, situations and calls everyday.

“The day I entered law enforcement, I had a goal of working for Hamilton County and helping make it the safest it can be,” Pruismann said.

It was then-Hamilton County Sheriff Denny Hagenson who hired Pruismann in 2015.

The sheriff’s position is a complex one that includes not only law enforcement but department management. Pruismann said his Master’s degree in public administration with a police emphasis from Dordt University uniquely qualifies him to step into the role.

“This degree and experience has led me to want to help lead the Hamilton County Sheriff’s (Office) and make it the best it could possibly be, in every facet of the profession.”

Asked if he saw ways to improve the sheriff’s office service, he said yes.

“With law enforcement changing daily, I would like to see more dedicated responsibilities to the deputies in the sheriff’s office. As an example, this means a dedicated investigator in order to lead investigations that may take several resources and a lot of time. Having a dedicated deputy in charge of this will allow for maximizing resources of all deputies and having someone stay on top of the ever-changing law that could then relay that on to others.

“I would also want to get a K9 program established in Hamilton County. Surrounding counties, as well as WCPD (Webster City Police Department) has a K9 and they are wonderful,” he said. “I see many benefits to establishing a Hamilton County K9 program.”

He added, “Community involvement will grow. I grew up knowing all the deputies in the department and I want that to come back. I will ask the deputies and staff to be involved in the local schools in some fashion. Even if that just means going to school events on duty. The public will see more of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and deputies.”

Pruismann said he embraces the importance of the sheriff’s position.

“The most important aspect of being the sheriff is being a person that the people of Hamilton County can be proud of and that will lead Hamilton County law enforcement forward. It is someone that brings true safety to the citizens and a sense of calming in times of turmoil or negativity. The sheriff should be looked at as someone who will show up in times of need, and will treat everyone with respect. The sheriff should be someone who will stand up for what’s right, no matter the circumstances,” he said.

“I will wholeheartedly be that person.”