JACKSON, MI - In an interview Monday, Steven Rand apologized for the hurt caused by his offensive and sometimes obscene comments, and said he intends to remain sheriff of Jackson County.

"I am not a person that likes leaving messes for other people to clean up," Rand said. "And I intend to resolve this issue."

Rand confirmed his voice was on recordings released last week by Jim Fett, the attorney representing sheriff's Lt. Tommy Schuette, who is suing Rand for creating a hostile work environment and the county for retaliation. The document calls Rand a "multifaceted bigot."

"I am not going to deny when I heard those tapes, I wanted to believe that that wasn't my voice. But it sure sounds like me," said Rand, a Republican elected, without opposition, in 2016 and serving his second term.

He said he cannot explain his statements - Rand called a judge a "scatter-brained c---" and talked of creating murderous pornography. "All I can do is take ownership of them. What I really want to say is: I apologize to everyone I have hurt."

Rand said he has spent some of the last week reaching out to people, apologizing directly to some and trying to make amends. He tried to talk to the judge, he said.

Meanwhile, community leaders, some of them in his own party, have condemned the sheriff's words. "Statements and sentiments such as these are not reflective of the values, morals, and core principles that the Jackson County Republican Party stands for," the party chairman wrote in a statement. Members of the Jackson City Council, and others, have called for Rand's resignation.

"Obviously the statements I made were inappropriate, embarrassing. I deeply embarrassed myself, my department, my family, all those people who have supported me through the years," Rand said. "I have let a lot of people down."

Rand sends his "sincerest apologies" to anyone who heard, read of or knows about the recordings.

"Clearly, I wouldn't even say 'and were offended by it.' Because if you hear them, you are offended by it," he said.

"It is offensive."

Frankly, he said, he probably didn't even realize what he was saying. "I was as shocked as anyone hearing that tape and there is no excuse for it."

He said he has a plan and is going to work on himself first. "I am the person with the issue here... I intend to move forward and restore confidence in myself and this office."

The sheriff said he has reached out to the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, charged with investigating alleged discrimination and securing equal protection of civil rights. He would like the commission to make recommendations, and training is in order, for himself in particular, he said.

Rand used the phrase "unconsious bias" in response to a question about the type of training. "I don't know if that fits this situation exactly..."

Rand does not consider himself a bigot. "I can't even speculate as to why I made some of the statements I did; I don't harbor any bigotry... that is not what my actions say," he said.

"I hope you realize that's not how I behave, although the words certainly don't help in this situation."

When asked about women working in or with the department, about whether female applicants could or would apply to his office, he re-emphasized his intended purpose of the interview, to apologize: "I really don't want to get into all the details."

He did, however, note the sheriff's office now employs more women, in corrections, on road patrol and in emergency dispatch, than at any other time. "We are working even harder at achieving a more diverse workforce, and we are going to do it, and I am going to be part of that," he said. "It is going to take a little time but I am sure we can get there."

Of race relations, he said he has to build back trust. "Obviously, that is going to be my No. 1 job. I am working to do that and I am working with community leaders to do that."

He hopes the county can continue to support the "hardworking men and women of this office." "They are the ones out there doing the job and they do it very well."

Rand stopped the interview after 12 minutes. He said he plans to issue a formal apology on Tuesday.