Joe Vozar for Sheriff

Joe Vozar is a dedicated law enforcement professional with decades of experience. An Ithaca native, Joe is the current Lieutenant and Jail Administrator, running as a Republican in the August primary for Sheriff of Gratiot County, MI.

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A Listing of Joe Vozar's Community Service & Engagements

• MMRMA Corrections Advisory Committee Chair

• Michigan Sheriff’s Coordinating & Training Council Advisory Board Member

• Hope Not Handcuffs Committee Member

• Michigan Sheriff Association Jail Administrator Conference Committee Chair

• Command Officer Association of Michigan Vice President of Gratiot County Sheriff’s Office

• American Jail Association member

• Rural Urban Day Committee

• Shop with a Hero Volunteer

• GESA Ithaca Fire Department

• Ithaca Area Historical Society Officer/Member

• NFPA Fire Inspector School

• Arts United with Gratiot and Isabella County United Way

• Alma Highland Festival Dance Announcer

• Involvement with Gratiot County Youth including: 

  • Ithaca Varsity Football

  • Youth Baseball Coach

  • Youth Football Coach

  • Youth Wrestling Coach

  • Ithaca High School Mock Interview Volunteer

  • Ithaca North Elementary Hero Volunteer

• Conservation Organizations including: 

  • Ducks Unlimited Committee

  • Pheasants Forever Committee

• Sheriff’ Office certifications and responsibilities:

  • Jail Administrator/ LT since May of 2018

  • Certified 160-hr Local Corrections Officer Academy

  • Marine Patrol Supervisor

  • Michigan Jail Command Staff Academy

  • Michigan Jail First Line Supervisor Academy

  • Multiple Supervision Trainings

  • Multiple Legal Update Trainings

  • Mission Team Investigator of the Michigan Sheriff’s Association

  • Medical Examiner Investigator

• Instructor of Use of Force including Case Law & Defensive Tactics for the county and formerly

  • Delta College 

  • Kirtland Community College

• Grants written at multiple agencies from MMRMA, GCCF and Meijer

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A List of Improvements and Accomplishments Joe Vozar has Achieved since becoming Jail Administrator at Gratiot County:

• Ensured the consistent updated Safety & Security of the Officers and Inmates

• Reduced Liability in the jail by changing outdated common practice and updated those procedures

• Developed a updated CTO program

• Developed an updated command structure

• Improved Deputy Morale

• Modernized Corrections Control room

• Oversaw the purchases of inmate razor wire for the rec yard

• Improved communication with the staff from command

• Acquired more structured staff training offsite

• Developed modern Inmate Medical along with new equipment

• Oversaw the acquisition of a new boat and equipment for the Marine Patrol

• Provided more in house training, including Defensive Tactics, Case law, Report Writing, Officer Safety Training, Medical Training, Withdrawal Training and many more

• Oversee the Adopt a Highway for the Sheriff's Office

• Led the purchase of Polycom court booths

• Led COVID procedures through the Sheriff’s Office

• Established a Patrol Unit wash program

• Personally remodeled the out-of-date booking room

• Improved the fire safety of the jail

• Brought in revenue for the county by selling more creative commissary

• Improved jail visitation with video visits

• Written several grants

• Improved key control for officers

• Replaced the out-of-date radios with all new equipment.

• Established the new Jail Management computer system

• Added more cameras and reduced liability

• Improved Department transparency with the community and increased Facebook activity 

• Improved recruitment protocols