Lt. Nate Smith of the Sanilac County Sheriff Department has announced he is running for Sheriff in the 2020 election. Below is his announcement:
Greetings,
As you are all now aware, Sheriff Garry Biniecki has announced that he will not seek reelection
for the office of Sanilac County Sheriff. Sheriff Biniecki has served Sanilac County for over 40 years and
has established high levels of trust and integrity within his office, and his footprint on the Sanilac County
Sheriff’s Office will be everlasting.
I have been a resident of Sanilac County for the past 20 years and currently reside in Marlette
Township with my wife Kelly and our three children. I am a graduate of Imlay City High School and have
completed a Criminal Justice Degree from Eastern Gateway Community College where I graduated
Magna Cum Laude. I am also a proud graduate of Michigan State University’s Criminal Justice School of
Staff and Command.
My journey in the law enforcement profession started in 1992 when I became a law enforcement
explorer with the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office. In 1997 I was hired by the Metamora Township Police
Department as a Reserve Police Officer and was later sponsored to attend the Kirtland Regional Police
Academy.
In 2000, I was hired as a Full-Time Deputy Sheriff with the Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office
serving in the Uniform Services Division (Road Patrol). Today I hold the rank of Lieutenant, overseeing
the Uniform Services, Records and Marine Divisions. In addition to working in law enforcement I also
currently serve as Marlette Township Supervisor.
Since 2000, I have worked many specialized assignments such as K-9 Handler, Drug Task Force
Investigator, Dive Master/Team Coordinator, Explorer Post Advisor, Michigan Sheriff’s Association
MISSION Investigator, Mobile Forensic Investigator, DNR Instructor, Marine Division Supervisor, Field
Training Supervisor and much more.
Throughout the years I have been fortunate to obtain over 2500 hours of advanced law enforcement training in many areas stemming from Narcotics Investigations to Supervision and Command.
In addition to working in law enforcement I currently have the pleasure of serving my community
as the Marlette Township Supervisor.
Our citizens need a Sheriff who has developed trust throughout our community and a Sheriff who
has the experience to lead us into the future. And so, it is with a full appreciation of the responsibility that
comes with the job that I am announcing my candidacy for the office of Sheriff of Sanilac County.
Every citizen of Sanilac County should know that I fully understand that this office is not about the individual
who holds the title. The office is about all of the citizens we serve in each and every neighborhood and
street in this County. The office is about providing all of the citizens of Sanilac County with a law
enforcement agency that they, the citizens, have involvement in and that they can trust and be proud of.
The office is about providing all citizens with a law enforcement agency that is responsive to their needs
and has a genuine desire to improve the quality of life for all its citizens, not just to act as overseers.
There should be no line that divides a community and its law enforcement officers.
Honesty, Integrity and Dedicated Community Service.
“The Right Choice”
As your next Sheriff, I vow to continue building upon the legacy that Sheriff Biniecki leaves
behind. As your Sheriff I will take the Sheriff’s Office into a new era of community policing. We will open
our minds to new ideas, think outside of the box and join forces with resources in each and every part of
our community to ensure we are providing the highest quality of service.
This office needs a candidate who has the trusted experience for our future and the vision,
organizational skills and track record in the community to do what he says. To the citizens of Sanilac
County: I promise to ensure that you have a Sheriff’s Office you can be proud of and can trust and I
assure you that I am the only candidate who has the trusted experience, and the sincerest desire to do
what is right for all people.
I’m asking all of the citizens of Sanilac County for their vote and their support in the 2020 election.
