My family and I chose to move to the San Juan Islands and live here because of this unique and caring community. I witness how members of our community pull together on a daily basis in the multiple organizations that I volunteer in. I know we have some of the finest deputies in the State and they truly care about the people they serve.
Over the last thirty five years I have had many work and educational experiences as a police officer. I will draw from this experience as your Sheriff and build upon the foundation that is in place. Although the foundation is strong, there is always need for improvement within the department to move forward. Areas that I will focus on are training and evaluations of deputies, drug and alcohol education and enforcement, community policing, and budget issues.
I would like to move away from the shot gun approach to training and use my command staff and a senior deputy to implement a proper training schedule. This group would evaluate what training is needed and which personnel would be best to participate in the training. This group could also review and analyze the cost of bringing a trainer of a broad topic to the islands to teach multiple personnel. Evaluations done on a timely basis would assist this group in determining the necessary training for the deputies and dispatchers.
To many in our community, drug and alcohol issues are a major concern and they are right. The Sheriff's Office and the community can attack this menace by using a three prong approach consisting of rigorous law enforcement strategies, intensive programs of education in our schools, homes and busineses; and working with our medical professionals for treatment of addictions.
I have been involved in community policing for many years and know that it works best on a small scale, neighborhood by neighborhood and not with large committees. My approach would have the sergeants and deputies working with neighbor associations and businesses personally to tackle problems.
The current budget crisis will be a challenge for the next Sheriff as the budget will affect how we train, how we buy equipment, enforce laws, and possibly how many deputies we retain. I will involve my command staff in a complete review and development of the budget and the pursuit of appropriate grants to enhance services.
My wife Lynne-Ann, daughter Lenora and I have lived in the San Juan’s since Sheriff Cumming hired me as Lead Detective eight years ago. I feel I am the best candidate for the job not only because of my experience but also because of my commitment to our community. You might recognize me from previous years handouts for the Safety Fairs on San Juan Island, yeah, I'm the guy helping the kids with the fire hose. I am co-coordinator with Fire Wise an organization that helps residents and neighborhoods assess their fire risks and then helps those same neighborhoods clear out debris and ladder fuel to make homes and the environment safer. I am the guy you may have passed on Beaverton Valley Road picking up trash along a two mile stretch with my family. You will see from my bio that I am a board member with Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Services and Chair of the SJC Veteran's Advisory Board and that I am involved in my home owners association. My commitment to community lead me to run for the office of Sheriff and I ask for your support.