I recently retired as a patrol commander after 35 years of law enforcement experience with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the Vancouver Police Department. I have known both candidates for Clark County sheriff for over 20 years and have found them both to be strong men of faith, passionate about service to the community and I consider both a friend.
I have had responsibility for one candidate at the Vancouver Police Department and worked closely with the other candidate during joint investigations with the sheriff’s office. I have been a command team member with VPD for over 18 years and I have firsthand knowledge on how complicated it can be to run a large law enforcement agency. Experience, training and expertise are crucial to success in leading a large law enforcement agency. While overall experience in the law enforcement profession is important, specific leadership experience is critical. One candidate has decades of experience working in the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, one does not. One has experience as a first line supervisor, leading a squad, responding to citizen queries and complaints, and writing annual evaluations, one does not. One candidate has experience as a command level officer, dealing with budgets, labor issues and logistical challenges, one does not.
As a citizen who lives in the sheriff’s office jurisdiction and counts on an efficient and professional response from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, I value the candidate that has the most relevant experience and has the qualifications to lead during this most challenging time in recent memory. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is a large complex agency with staffing, retention, budget, and logistic challenges that need an experienced and steady hand to resolve. While both candidates are quality men, only one has the experience, training and expertise to move the sheriff’s office forward on day one. I don’t see this as a choice based on which friend I like the most, but rather which candidate possesses the essential qualifications to be the sheriff of Clark County.
Commander Dave King
(retired),
Vancouver Police Department,
Brush Prairie
