Issues

Immediate Goals

In Uniform

Adopting and Implementing the 21st Century Police Model

The 21st Century Police Model consists of the following pillars:

  1. Building Trust and Legitimacy
  2. Policy and Oversight
  3. Technology and Social Media
  4. Community Policing and Crime Reduction
  5. Training and Education
  6. Officer Wellness and Safety

Improved Overall County Coverage

Deputies, for a portion of their shift, would be assigned to districts within the county. This will provide more thorough and consistent coverage of both east and west ends of Skamania County. Additionally, 24-hour law enforcement coverage will be re-implemented.

Animal Control/County Code Enforcement

It is imperative to re-implement an Animal Control/County Code Enforcement Officer immediately. Deputies are not equipped or trained to handle the exorbitant amount of calls involving animal problems and complaints. By combining the duties of both Animal Control and County Code Enforcement, Skamania County residents are provided better, overall enforcement for their tax dollars.

Future Goals

Fee Collection for Search and Rescue Operations

Although the Sheriff is responsible, per Revised Code of Washington, for all Search and Rescue operations within their county, I believe those who act recklessly or negligently while recreating in Skamania County and request or require assistance should have to incur the costs of their rescue. This is a large undertaking and will require many steps to implement. However, as recreation within our county continues to increase, so do the costs incurred by taxpayers.

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Deputy

Non-local commercial vehicle traffic on State Route 14 needs enforcement pressure and the Washington State Patrol is not applying it. Commercial vehicles often use State Route 14 to avoid the International Fuel Tax Agreement fee imposed on Interstate 84 in Oregon. This creates unnecessary wear and tear on State Route 14, along with unsafe traveling conditions. Issues include overturned semi-truck collisions, lane use violations within the tunnels, and impeding violations. Creating a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement deputy position would dedicate a unit to specifically enforce these violations solely in Skamania County.

40-hour Crisis Intervention Team Training

The Crisis Intervention Team (C.I.T.) training aids law enforcement officers in dealing with those experiencing a mental health crisis and teaches de-escalation techniques. All Skamania County Sheriff’s Office employees who hold a Peace Officer Certification have attended the 8-hour C.I.T. training course and attend an annual 2-hour refresher course. 25% of our peace officers have attended the 40-hour course. I plan to have 100% of our employees with Peace Officer Certifications attend the full 40-hour course due to the importance of this training.