Alex Pruismann is making himself at home in his new office as Hamilton County Sheriff.

In some ways, Alex Pruismann is doing what he set out to do many years ago, but in a little different fashion. Sworn in as Hamilton County Sheriff nearly three months ago, Pruismann majored in Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University because he wanted to be a radio broadcaster.

“I wanted to talk on the radio,” Pruismann said. “I love talking.”

Pruismann put those communication skills to use when he took time to broadcast live via Facebook during the early March blizzard that ground traffic to a stop in much of Iowa. Keeping residents up to date on conditions, and encouraging them to stay home and stay safe on one of the most treacherous days of the season, is but one example of putting those communication skills to work as sheriff.

A 2005 graduate of Northeast Hamilton High School, Pruismann graduated from Iowa State in 2011. More recently, he added a Master’s in Public Administration degree from Dordt University to his varied resume of skills.

“I am a constant learner,” Pruismann said. “I love to be learning new skills. I got that from my dad; there was never a dull moment.”

Pruismann is making education a hallmark of his new tenure as sheriff. He has set a goal of increasing the department’s involvement with local schools and making community relations a priority.

“We will be in the schools more,” Pruismann said. “I’m big on building relationships and building that camaraderie.”

Pruismann grew up knowing many Hamilton County deputies. He recalls Lyle Seiser, a long-time deputy from Stratford and one-time candidate for sheriff, among many others who have worn the uniform.

“Denny Hagenson was my DARE instructor, and he hired me as a deputy,” Pruismann noted.

Hagenson is one in a long line of sheriffs to have served the people of Hamilton County. From Rap Lear to Jerry Farnham, Scott Anderson, Hagenson, and the recently-retired Doug Timmons, each sheriff added his own personality to the office.

Pruismann is proud to be following in that legacy, and yet eager to make his own mark.

Like several of the previous sheriffs, Pruismann has served as the county’s DARE — Drug Abuse Resistance Education — officer. While Pruismann is still teaching DARE this spring, his new duties as sheriff will mean that one of the department’s team of 10 deputies will be trained to take over that responsibility in the future.

The transition to take over and build his own staff went smoothly, with Timmons giving Pruismann time and freedom to start the process while still serving as sheriff-elect.

“I was lucky enough that Sheriff Timmons let me start the process to fill my spot before I took office,” Pruismann explained. “So that’s where Brandon Pritchard came over from the city.”

Along with his K-9 Officer Moab, Pritchard began his new duties as a deputy in mid-January. At the same time, the city of Webster City began the process to replace both Pritchard and Moab.

“We will have two dogs working in the county, which is better for everybody,” Pruismann said.

Up next, Pruismann would dedicate one deputy as a full-time investigative officer.

“We want someone to specialize in higher-degree cases, theft, assaults,” or other major crimes, he said.

Currently, each deputy generally sees a case through from start to finish, which can sometimes be difficult with night shift officers unable to question people in the daytime, or vice versa.

“A dedicated individual will make everyone’s lives easier,” he said.

Pruismann expects that officer to come from within the department and not to require any additional hiring.

An area of growth that would require a new hire is a joint effort with South Hamilton Community Schools to create a school resource officer. Still, Pruismann said that because it is a joint effort, that no additional funds would be needed to cover the position. Any additional costs that the county incurs would be absorbed within the current budget, he said.

The school resource officer is a main priority for both Pruismann and South Hamilton officials, he said.

“They started it; their superintendent, their school board, have all been behind this effort,” he said.

The proposed officer would take over DARE instruction for South Hamilton and develop many more programs in order to interact with students. The officer would be on duty at athletic events and almost every and any school activity. Those hours also mean a rotating schedule, largely dependent on what’s happening at school.

“That person will be more busy than anyone can imagine,” Pruismann said.

Even traffic enforcement in and around the school will be included in the job description. Pruismann said that a recent incident on Iowa Highway 175 where a driver passed a stopped school bus could have been a tragedy, but the children attempting to access the bus were fortunately safe. This officer would follow up on any such violations.

Getting the school resource officer agreement finalized and a deputy hired to fill the position will be a big goal for his first year, according to Pruismann.

The new sheriff is clearly busy and looking forward to making a difference in the lives of the people of Hamilton County.

“This is my home county and I want to have a hand in making it the best possible place,” he said. “I always want to do what I can to better the community, and the best place I can do that from is sheriff.”

By the numbers*:

97 calls for service

59 disabled vehicles

52 911 calls

*Handled by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office

during the March 19-20 storm.