O’Brien County, Iowa — The 2020 Iowa Primary elections will be held this coming Tuesday, and in O’Brien County, there are two names on the Republican ballot for Sheriff. The job became available earlier this year when Sheriff Allen Schuknecht announced that he plans to retire when his current term ends at the end of this year. The two Republicans seeking the job are Brenda Collier of Primghar, and current Chief Deputy Bruce Devereaux of Paullina. Yesterday we introduced you to Devereaux, today we’d like you to meet Collier.
Brenda Collier is a 41-year-old single mother, and military veteran, who currently works in an administrative outreach position with Upper Des Moines Opportunity in Primghar. We asked Collier what prompted her to run for Sheriff.
(As above) “I’m running for Sheriff, not only because I was asked to run by several community members, but because I have a passion for law, and I have always had a passion for community and building a better place to raise a family.”
While Collier has never worked as a law enforcement officer, she says her education and experience qualify her for the Sheriff’s position.
(As above) “The Sheriff’s position is an an administrative position, per Iowa code, and I have experience working in the administrative field as well as the outreach field. I will also be graduating with my Mater’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and I believe that my past experiences and education will allow me to serve as Sheriff with minimal difficulties.”
She talks about the areas of law enforcement that are most important to her.
(As above) “I think that the ‘catch and release’ of drug dealers and addicts in O’Brien County is not working. I think that we need to work on the rehabilitation program for these people and help get them clean and get them jobs. I am also very passionate about advocating for domestic violence, as I believe that O’Brien County needs to find, in the budget, a Domestic Violence Liaison to assist with these issue. Law enforcement also needs to be in the schools, talking about these issues, as well as working with students to prevent these ongoing issues.”
We asked Collier about her philosophies and ideals regarding law enforcement.
(As above) “I believe that just because you carry a badge, that does not mean that you can strong arm people or threaten them to get what you want. I also believe that all people deserve respect. I believe that laws are to be obeyed, and that the law enforcement should not look the other way when something illegal is happening in our neighborhoods.”
Collier says she believes in law enforcement built around community involvement.
(As above) “I believe that law enforcement benefits from an active community involvement. I would encourage my deputies to serve in their local communities. Law enforcement that knows and is active in their communities builds trust and knowledge about the people they serve, making them much more effective and trusted officers of the law.”
If elected, Collier would become O’Brien County’s first female Sheriff.
This year’s primary elections will be held this coming Tuesday, June 2nd, with only two polling locations in O’Brien County. One will be located at the Crossroads Pavilion event center in Sheldon, and the other at the Primghar Community Building. Polls will be open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.
