Brent Johnson and Rob Nou want to be the next sheriff of San Juan County — the first new sheriff in 24 years.

In their own words, the sheriff is the face and voice of the Sheriff’s Office. Nou: The sheriff articulates the philosophy of the office, the vision of that office, sets the tone for what that service looks like. The sheriff interfaces with the County Council, Town Council, builds and develops relationships with agencies in the region, provides overall guidance of the office.

Johnson: The sheriff gives the department direction, is a good role model, writes the budget, interacts with elected officials. The sheriff oversees emergency management and 911. The sheriff’s office is a soapbox from which the sheriff can help different activities that affect island life.

Learn more about these candidates at upcoming forums. Ask them about their priorities, and how they will manage the law enforcement and budgetary challenges of the next four years.

The Journal is sponsoring a sheriff candidates forum on Sept. 28, 5 p.m., in the San Juan Community Theatre’s Gubelman Theatre. The Islands’ Sounder will host a forum Sept. 29, noon, in the Eastsound Fire Station. The Islands’ Weekly will host a forum Sept. 29, 5 p.m., in the Port Stanley Schoolhouse.

The format is simple to allow for as much interaction between residents and the candidates. After a five-minute introduction by the moderator, each candidate will make a five-minute opening statement. Then, the forum will be open to questions from the audience. Each candidate will get one minute to respond. Each candidate will make a five-minute closing statement.

All candidates for Congress, state House, sheriff and County Council have been invited to forums scheduled by the League of Women Voters of the San Juans. Those forums are scheduled for Oct. 15, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Shaw Island; Oct. 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friday Harbor; Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to noon, Orcas Island; Oct. 16, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Lopez Island.