Joseph Banks
TLDR: Joseph Banks says he has about 20 years of law enforcement experience in Minnesota. He started with the Lower Sioux Police Department in 2005, later served as police chief of the Upper Sioux Police Department and of the city of Morton, and returned to Lower Sioux as chief investigator and acting police chief. He also lists service in the Marine Corps Reserve and the Minnesota Army National Guard. He ran for sheriff in 2022 and lost to Dawanna Witt in the general election.
Joseph BanksNonpartisan- Running for
- Hennepin County Sheriff
- Work
- Law enforcement officer (former police chief)
- Background
- Lower Sioux Police Department from 2005; later chief investigator and acting police chief there hometownsource.com
- Former police chief, Upper Sioux Police Department and city of Morton eplocalnews.org
- Marine Corps Reserve and Minnesota Army National Guard service eplocalnews.org
- 2022 candidate for Hennepin County Sheriff: 22.5% in the August primary electionresultsfiles.sos.mn.gov
- Lost the 2022 general election to Witt, 35.4% to 64.0% electionresultsfiles.sos.mn.gov
- Website
- banks4sheriff.com
- Phone
- (612) 345-9447
- Raised
- $9,948 in 2026 (amended pre-primary report), $466 on hand www16.co.hennepin.mn.us
- Interviews
- Sun CurrentEden Prairie Local News
- Also running
- Dawanna Witt (Nonpartisan)
Q: Where does Banks stand on violent crime?
A: Says "violent crime continues to impact too many neighborhoods" and pledges to use "data-driven strategies and strong partnerships with local agencies to drive down violent crime with measurable results."
banks4sheriff.comQ: Where does Banks stand on jail?
A: Calls for more jail staff, an end to forced overtime, a citizen oversight commission, more transparency for families about in-custody deaths, and a dedicated mental health space staffed by doctors.
eplocalnews.orgQ: Where does Banks stand on jail?
A: Would "shorten the book-and-release time to one to two hours; currently it is four to six hours"; would keep the HOPE education program.
eplocalnews.orgQ: Where does Banks stand on staffing?
A: Proposes hiring from the community, grant funding, clearer career paths, staff wellness checks, and involving lower-ranking staff in improvements.
eplocalnews.orgQ: Where does Banks stand on immigration enforcement?
A: "We support our federal law enforcement partners," but says the sheriff's role is public safety, not immigration enforcement.
eplocalnews.orgQ: Where does Banks stand on transparency and accountability?
A: Says body camera footage should be handled "with the utmost care" but "given to the community for complete transparency upon request"; promises "faster investigations, clearer communication, and public reporting."
eplocalnews.orgQ: Where does Banks stand on suburbs and patrol?
A: Would hire more patrol deputies "so that the sheriff is more visible" and keep mutual-aid agreements with suburban police; would balance suburban and urban needs "by hiring more deputies and not billing communities for services."
eplocalnews.orgQ: Where does Banks stand on most pressing issue?
A: "The most pressing public safety issue in Hennepin County is violent crime"; says the sheriff's top priority should be "to lower violent crime and help residents to feel safe from harm."
hometownsource.comQ: Where does Banks stand on community relations?
A: "I will create regular listening sessions, increase community-based programming, and ensure deputies are visible and engaged."
banks4sheriff.com
