Meet Steven Sentz

Candidate for Sheriff-Clare County

Steven Sentz, a dedicated and experienced law enforcement officer, has spent his entire career serving his community and protecting its citizens. From humble beginnings to his current position, Steven has overcome numerous challenges and risen through the ranks, showcasing his unwavering commitment to public safety.

Steven's journey began in 2004 when at 17 he enlisted in the US Army Reserves, attending basic training between his junior and senior year of High School. Steven attended drill monthly while in high school. After graduating school he switched to Active Duty as a Military Police. During his five years of service, he quickly rose through the ranks to become a Non-commissioned Officer and was responsible for leading a team of soldiers in combat. This experience instilled in him a strong sense of discipline, leadership, and teamwork that would serve as the foundation for his future career in law enforcement. Steven is also a Purple Heart recipient and Combat Action Badge from actions serving in Operation Enduring Freedom.

After his honorable discharge, Steven returned to his hometown of Midland, Michigan, and joined the Coleman Police Department and Clare City Police Department while obtaining his associate’s degree in criminal justice. In this role, he patrolled designated areas, responded to calls for service, and assisted those in need. Steven joined the Clare County Sheriff’s Office full time where his dedication to serving his community. Steven quickly after obtaining full-time employment with the county, moved to Clare County. Steven feels it is important to live in the area you work, this brings a higher sense of duty to the area he serves.

Steven was soon promoted to Sergeant, where he trained and mentored his fellow officers, ensuring they followed policies and procedures which help the community with consistency. He served as a Field Training Officer to build new deputies skills and confidence. Steven also attended Ferris State University during this time and graduated with this Bachelor of Science-Criminal Justice degree. He was also able to maintain a 4.0 GPA while working, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

Steven Sentz quickly made a name for himself as a reliable and trustworthy law enforcement officer. He was praised for his quick response to citizen-initiated calls for service and his ability to remain calm during tense situations, receiving a Bravery Award from the Sheriff’s Office. His exemplary work ethic and leadership skills did not go unnoticed, and he was promoted to Lieutenant, Road Patrol Commander at the Clare County Sheriff's Office.

In this role, Steven was responsible for responding to public inquiries and concerns, creating schedules for patrol shifts, and overseeing daily operations. He also served as a liaison between the department and local government officials, building strong relationships with citizens and gaining insight into their safety concerns within the county.

Steven took on a new role in his career as the School Resource Officer (SRO) for the Clare City Police Department. As the SRO for the police department, he works primarily at the Clare Public School District, ensuring a positive connection with both staff and students. Forming positive relationships with students has led to helping families in need. He continues to reach out to families to get them the services they need, thus helping prevent crime over basic human needs.

Steven's outstanding performance as a law enforcement office led to another role as a Police Academy Instructor at Delta College. In this role, he delivers lectures on law enforcement practices and community relations, trains police academy recruits, and maintains a respectful learning environment. Steven's expertise in collaborating with leadership to develop effective solutions in law enforcement has made him an invaluable asset to the academy.

Throughout his career, Steven has faced numerous challenges, but he has never wavered in his commitment to serving his community and upholding the law. From his time in the military to his current Law Enforcement role, he has consistently demonstrated his skills in communication, supervision, leadership, and decision-making.

Steven is married to Kaitlyn Sentz, who is the Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Isabella County. Over the years Steven has benefited tremendously from her experience as a prosecutor. He has a better understanding of how the Prosecutors Office operates. Why prosecutor’s charge cases the way they do, why charges get dismissed, and how at times they share the same frustrations as law enforcement officers within the criminal justice system. This has led to Steven having a better working relationship with all prosecutors in assisting in making a stronger case for them.

Steven is a dedicated man and a pillar of his community, and he is now ready to take the next step in his career by running for Office of the Sheriff. With his proven conflict resolution skills, community engagement experience, and commitment to service excellence, Steven is the ideal candidate for this important role. He is determined to use his skills and experiences to make a positive impact as the next Sheriff of Clare County.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" -Edmund Burke

Resume

Education

Bachelor of Science: Criminal Justice 08/2019
Ferris State University | Big Rapids, MI
• 4.0 GPA
• Graduated summa cum laude

Associate of Science: Criminal Justice
Delta College | Bay City, MI

High School Diploma
Bullock Creek High School | Midland, MI

Work Experience

Lieutenant, Road Patrol Commander 09/2023 - 09/2024
Clare County Sheriff's Office | Harrison, MI
•Responded promptly to public inquiries regarding police services or complaints against officers.
•Created weekly schedules for patrol shifts based on crime trends and community needs.
•Performed administrative duties such as reviewing arrest paperwork prior to submission for
prosecution purposes.
•Participated in budget preparation activities, such as determining staffing levels, equipment
purchases.
•Managed subordinate supervisors, including assigning work tasks, overseeing daily operations,
and providing guidance on complex issues.
•Met regularly with community groups in order to build relationships with citizens and gain insight
into their concerns about safety within the county.
•Served as a liaison between the department and local government officials when needed.
•Coordinated routine evaluations with local, state and federal regulatory agencies.
•Strengthened traceability and developed organizational systems for criminal case logs, records,
reports and agendas.

Patrol Sergeant 09/2019 - 09/2023
Clare County Sheriff's Office | Harrison , MI
•Trained and mentored staff on correct procedures to maximize efficiency and protect public
trust.
•Reviewed and assessed criminal prosecution information, including search warrants, citations
and complaints.
•Reviewed paperwork and case files submitted by subordinate officers to verify accuracy and
conformance to strict policies.
•Displayed strong telephone etiquette, • effectively handling difficult calls.
•Coordinated routine evaluations with local, state and federal regulatory agencies.
•Responded quickly to calls, questions and complaints from citizens to help in various situations.

Deputy Sheriff 02/2013 - 09/2019
Clare County Sheriff Department | Harrison , MI
•Patrolled designated area to assist persons in trouble and render other public safety services.
•Drafted incident reports detailing criminal activity, civil proceedings and varied incidents
Served as a liaison between the Clare County Road Commission and Sheriff's Office to foster
efficient communication
•Assisted in conducting traffic surveys to determine problem areas
•Served active warrants and subpoenas
•Responded to calls for service related to OWI, felonies, misdemeanors, and domestic abuse
•Serving on the Clare County Crash Reconstruction Team, Field Training Officer, assist with
the Clare County Dive Team, ORV Deputy and Court Security 
•Assisted in Policy and Procedure Update for Department

Police Officer (Part-Time) 11/2011 - 02/2013
City Of Clare | Clare, MI
•Responds to citizen-initiated calls for service
•Patrols city streets, areas and businesses to deter criminal activity
•Conducted law enforcement, arrests suspected violators of the law.
•Presents evidence and testimony in judicial settings
•Prepared police reports including sworn statements and processed evidence.
•Enforces state laws, local ordinances and traffic laws

Police Officer (Part-Time) 06/2011 - 02/2013
City Of Coleman | Coleman, MI
• Responded quickly to dispatch and took appropriate action at crime and disaster scenes
• Searched vehicles, buildings, homes and property for evidence and stolen property
• Diffused tense situations by remaining calm
• Organized and recorded facts to prepare incident reports
• Investigated criminal and traffic offenses
Trained and mentored reserve officers on correct procedures to maximize efficiency and
protect public trust

Military Police 06/2005 - 07/2010
US Army | Fort Knox, KY/ Fort Leonard Wood, MO/Camp Carroll, South Korea/Fort Carson, CO/Afghanistan
•Served as a Non-commissioned Officer (Sergeant Team Leader)
•Led military police teams in support of battlefield operations
•Led diverse training simulations to prepare teams for combat and emergency situations
•Implemented and trained over 150 Afghan Uniform Police Officers
•Enforced traffic regulations and law and order operations for the Fort Carson Community
consisting of over 10,566 service members and their families
•Provided physical security for designated individuals and equipment for 214 square mile
property
•Served as a Military Police Patrolman, Traffic Crash Investigator, and Police Dispatcher
•Prepared police reports including sworn statements and processed evidence
•Conducted law enforcement and traffic accident investigations

Human Resources Assistant 02/2004 - 06/2005
US Army Reserve | Bay City, MI
•Compiled and kept personnel records
•Recorded data for each employee, such as address, weekly earnings, absences, amount of
sales or production, supervisory reports on ability, and date of and reason for termination
•Compiled and typed reports from employment records
•Filed employment records. Searched employee files and furnished information to authorized
persons
•Interpreted, explained and enforced human resources policies to keep staff in compliance with
standards

Awards

Army Achievement Medal (4)
Army Good Conduct Medal (1)

Overseas Service Ribbon (2)
NATO Medal (1)
Combat Action Badge (1)
Soldier of the Cycle Honor Graduate Fort Knox, KY 2004

Delta College Police Academy:
Top Gun Award (Top Shooter)

City of Coleman:
Letter of Commendation

City of Clare:
Lifesaving Award

Clare County:
Bravery Award
Command Officer of the Year (2022)

POAM (Police Officers Association of Michigan):
Police Officer of the Year (2018)

On Aug 8^th 2028, vote for Steven Sentz for Clare County Sheriff.