The Marshall County Republican Party has appointed a new Sheriff.
A caucus was held Tuesday night at the party’s headquarters in Plymouth. Several candidates were vying for the position, receiving an opportunity to make their case before the Republican Party’s precinct committee.
Following multiple rounds of voting, the precinct committee elected Matt Hassel as the new Sheriff of Marshall County. He says he’s looking forward to the increased service to the public.
“I am going to spend a lot of time working with the individuals in the department, learning what they’re doing, studying what they’re doing, and hopefully we’ll come up with better practices that make it safer, more professional, and also more efficient,” says Hassel.
The position became vacant following the death of former Sheriff Tom Chamberlin who experienced an extended battle with cancer.
Voting for the new Sheriff was limited to members of the precinct committee – consisting of about 26 members. Marshall County was provided 30 days to find a replacement candidate. A simple majority was required for election to the seat.
Hassel currently serves as President of the Marshall County Council. He will now serve in the Sheriff’s seat, following his resignation from the council, until 2018 before being brought up for re-election.
Among the topics repeatedly brought up is the efficient operation of a central dispatch. Hassel who, until last night, served as Bremen Police Chief, says he’s already put plenty of thought into his approach.
“Put the plan together, and go meet with the City Councils, the Mayor, the Township Advisory Boards, and come up with a fair way that this can be done at a reasonable, and I mean really reasonable cost to them,” says Hassel.
A swearing-in ceremony will take place on Wednesday. Hassel must first resign from the Marshall County Council prior to serving in the Sheriff’s role.
A caucus will now be held for Hassel’s first district Council seat in the near future.
