Schram for Walla Walla County Sheriff

Priorities

Dedicated to Leadership through Accountability.

For Richard Schram, “Dedicated to Leadership through Accountability” is not just a slogan. It is the standard he has worked to uphold every day he has worn the badge, and the standard he will hold himself and the Sheriff’s Office to as Sheriff.

Richard’s priorities have always been, and will continue to be, protecting what matters most:

Community Priorities

  1. The Safety of Our Loved Ones and Neighbors

    Steadfastly upholding our laws and keeping the people of Walla Walla County safe — in every town, on every back road, and across the 75 miles of waterway patrolled by the Sheriff’s Office.

  2. The Prosperity and Security of Our Businesses

    Protecting the farms, vineyards, and small businesses that drive this county, while building the relationships and public trust that make that protection possible.

  3. The Protection of Our Individual Freedoms

    Leading through accountability — to the Constitution, to the residents of this county, and to the deputies who choose to serve here.

Under Richard’s leadership, the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office will pursue these priorities by upholding the law with integrity, working diligently to strengthen community bonds, and prioritizing retaining the high quality personnel our county deserves.

Office Priorities

  1. Disciplined Budgeting

    The state of the budget is critical, not just in Walla Walla County, but across Washington. Richard has spent the past eight years directly involved in developing and preparing the Sheriff’s Office budget through the county approval process. He understands both the budget and the process in detail.

    As Sheriff, his priority will be ensuring every request is based on real operational needs and every dollar spent is clearly justified. This disciplined, forward-looking approach will guide preparation for the 2027 budget and beyond, ensuring the Sheriff’s Office remains both effective and fiscally responsible.

  2. Emphasis on Community Connections

    Our deputies are expected to be proactive, visible, and engaged in the community while educating, protecting, and enforcing the law with fairness and professionalism. Just as importantly, they are expected to be reasonable, approachable, and easy to talk to.

    Community-oriented policing in Walla Walla County means building real relationships. It means seeing familiar faces in neighborhoods, at local businesses, and throughout the county. Deputies won’t just respond when called, they’ll be present, known, and part of the everyday life of the community.

    That presence matters. Routine foot patrols, friendly conversations, and regular interaction help build trust and understanding between deputies and the people they serve. Over time, the goal is simple: a community where people know their deputies by face and name, feel comfortable saying hello, and know they can stop and talk about what’s happening in their neighborhood.

  3. Employee Development, Wellness, & Retention

    Well-trained deputies make confident and competent law enforcement professionals, and confident deputies deliver better service to the community. Richard has worked alongside the Board of County Commissioners over multiple budget cycles to strengthen the agency's training resources and maximize opportunities for professional development within the Sheriff's Office.

    Each year, he has worked to fully utilize that budget to ensure deputies receive the highest level of training. He has also developed structured training programs for new deputies before and after the academy, as well as for newly promoted corporals and sergeants.

    Investing in training is only the first step. True retention comes from building a strong culture within the agency. Gratitude, timely recognition, open dialogue, and firm but attainable expectations will be the standard set from the top down. With a commitment to each individual’s development and wellness, Richard will prioritize an environment where deputies are supported, respected, and encouraged to grow in their careers. One where their strengths and interests are recognized to build a more capable and effective Sheriff’s Office.

  4. Collaborating With County Leaders

    Richard has strong working relationships with county elected officials and executives, and he is committed to building on those connections. Effective county government depends on collaboration, clear communication, and a shared focus on solving problems for the community.

    A unified approach between county offices leads to better decisions, more efficient use of resources, and stronger public safety outcomes. Richard believes the Sheriff’s Office should be an active partner in that effort—supporting responsible growth, addressing community needs, and contributing wherever law enforcement can add value.

    A stronger, more prosperous county ensures the Sheriff’s Office has the resources and support needed to serve the community effectively.

  5. Adopting Current and Constitutional Policies

    Richard has served as the primary policy writer for the office for the past eight years. During that time, Washington State has enacted significant changes to laws intended to reform policing. As Sheriff, Richard is committed to maintaining a policy manual that is contemporary, lawful, and ethical while ensuring deputies can effectively protect and serve the community. He will not adopt state-recommended policies that are unsafe, unnecessary, or inconsistent with constitutional principles.