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- calendar_today October 13, 2026
Two Candidates Seek Wasatch County Sheriff Post
As the November 3 election approaches, Jeremy Hales and Paul Moore are making the case for why they should be the next Wasatch County sheriff. Both candidates emphasize their diverse law enforcement experience and highlight specific priorities they would bring to the sheriff's office.
Jeremy Hales: 25 Years Serving Wasatch County
Jeremy Hales, currently the emergency management and 911 director for Wasatch County, has spent 25 years with the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office. His roles have included patrol officer, school resource officer, D.A.R.E. instructor, and coordinator for the crisis intervention team. Hales says his extensive experience in Utah law enforcement has prepared him for leadership.
"I bring the experience of 25 years of enforcing the laws of the state of Utah," Hales said, noting his commitment to ensuring deputies receive the highest level of training to provide safety for Wasatch County residents.
Paul Moore: Experience Across States and Sectors
Paul Moore, originally from Oregon, brings two decades of law enforcement experience as both a deputy and a state trooper. He also served in the U.S. Corps and worked at a Fortune 200 company. Moore previously ran for sheriff in Clackamas County, Oregon, but did not win the primary. He explained his broad skill set, "I can run a budget. I understand human resources. I can recruit and hire. I could also do training because I’ve done that in the military, law enforcement, and the corporate world."
Moore moved to Wasatch County about two years ago after connecting with local residents during a sheriff’s conference in Las Vegas. He is running as an unaffiliated candidate with prior experience as a Republican precinct chair in Texas.
Focus on Public Accountability and Community Trust
The election follows the indictment of current sheriff Jared Rigby on obstruction of justice and making a written false statement charges. Both Hales and Moore have emphasized the need to restore confidence and accountability in the Wasatch County law enforcement community.
Hales has pledged to bring accountability and integrity through his leadership, stating, "We’re going to have the opportunity to listen and hear and take the information that we’re given and use it within our agency to better serve the citizens of Wasatch County." He plans to introduce an annual Sheriff’s Public Accountability Report with details such as use-of-force summaries, staffing metrics, response times, budget allocation, and equipment investment.
Paul Moore stressed the importance of transparency, saying the office needs leaders willing to hold themselves and others accountable. "You have to surround yourself with leaders in your office that will hold you accountable," Moore said. "And you have to require that they speak up and speak out if they see anything that gives rise to any perception of impropriety."
Policy Differences: ICE Cooperation and Technology Use
On the topic of ICE cooperation, Hales stated he would only work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement when the agency sends a detainer for an individual in custody, noting it is not the Sheriff’s Office responsibility to enforce ICE rules outside the facility.
Moore said ICE agents have authority to make arrests, but would need to check with the sheriff to ensure county policies are followed.
Regarding Flock Safety cameras, which are automated license plate readers, Hales suggested pausing their use until further direction from Utah Legislature leaders. Moore, however, opposes their use, raising concerns over the potential government tracking of citizens and emphasizing the value of human judgment in law enforcement. "We better be very careful about going down that slippery slope of allowing technology to do our law enforcement for us," Moore said.
Leadership for the Future of Wasatch County Law Enforcement
Hales also highlighted the need for strong relationships with neighboring law enforcement agencies and local officials and wants the office to prepare for large scale events, such as the upcoming Winter Olympics in 2034. "We want to be forward-thinking," Hales said. "I know that my experience and knowledge that I have will be very helpful in that."
Voters will decide between Hales, running as a Republican, and Moore, an unaffiliated candidate, for the next Wasatch County sheriff. Both express strong commitments to community trust, public accountability, and responsive leadership in Wasatch County law enforcement.
Source: parkrecord.com.
