"We believe that Will Reichardt is the best choice to serve as the next Skagit County Sheriff. We know Will to be a man of character who works hard and leads by example, not just speeches. From his first days as a deputy in the jail to his current position as chief criminal deputy he has proven to be someone we could always count on to get the job done. Will has dedicated his life to serving the citizens of Skagit County. We believe that as the challenges of the future confront the next Sheriff, Will's ability to make tough decisions while still maintaining a high level of quality service will serve Skagit County well."
| Gary Frazier Skagit County Sheriff (1985-1994) |
Ed Goodman Skagit County Sheriff (1995-2002) |
Rick Grimstead Skagit County Sheriff (2002-2010) |
LEADING THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE INTO THE FUTURE
It has been an honor and privilege to serve Skagit County as a deputy sheriff for the past 26 years. Starting as a corrections deputy in the jail, as a patrol deputy, a detective, a patrol sergeant and now as the chief criminal deputy, I have always strived to provide professional service and to motivate and inspire those I lead to do the same. Team building and empowering individual members of the Sheriff's Office have always been, and will continue to be my focus. Skagit County has every right to be proud of the fine men and women who together, have formed a strong and innovative team to protect and serve it's citizens.
While I am very proud of past results, I am focused on the future and the most effective ways to assure the safety and security of Skagit County. I am proud to be endorsed by current Sheriff Rick Grimstead, all of the Skagit County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) command staff and an overwhelming majority of the current SCSO leadership in the patrol division. These are the people who I have worked with facing the day to day law enforcement challenges and I am honored and humbled to have their individual endorsements as the person to lead the Sheriff's Office into the future. As Sheriff my commitment will be to continue to earn their respect every day.
MAINTAINING PUBLIC TRUST
There are many issues facing law enforcement during these challenging times, but maintaining the public trust is key. Without the support from the community and their confidence in their Sheriff's Office, the system will break down.
As the primary internal affairs investigator, I am charged with maintaining the impeccable standard of conduct necessary from all of our deputies. Deputies in patrol, corrections and records are in a position of trust and responsibility. I believe it is important to continually promote high expectations and the mission of the Sheriff's Office. Skagit County deputies have a tradition of exemplifying the fundamental principles of courage, compassion and justice, and will continue to make this a cornerstone of their service. I strongly believe that the most effective law enforcement is a collaborative effort between the "cops" and the "community". Law and order is not an option, it is a requirement, that is best achieved by working together.
BUDGET PRESSURES
I am dedicated to keeping Skagit County, both the citizens and the deputies, safe and secure in the face of uncertain and challenging times. Budget pressures and the need to fund top quality law enforcement service, demand that the next Skagit County Sheriff be an experienced law enforcement manager who understands the top priority needs of the community, and has the ability to maximize the resources already in place. For the past seven years, I have been intricately involved in the SCSO budget process and for the past 49 years I have lived and worked right here in Skagit County. I have intimate knowledge of all facets of the Sheriff's Office and I have developed strong working relationships with other law enforcement and government officials.
We are all currently living in difficult economic times which require us to make tough choices. This past year I have been part of the SCSO team, who successfully avoided deputy lay-offs, through creative strategies, budget restructuring and working with deputies; who sacrificed personal wages to save jobs. As Sheriff, I will continue to use my experience to make the most of taxpayer dollars to keep deputies in uniform and working to keep our community safe. By streamlining administration functions, focusing deputies' time and energy on the most critical priorities, and forming collaborative efforts with other law enforcement, I believe we will not only weather the challenges in these times, but flourish.
As Sheriff, I will work hard to keep Skagit County safe by working with our Board of County Commissioners to ensure that funding public safety is the number one priority.
JAIL OVERCROWDING
A crowded jail is not just a Skagit County problem. Recent budget woes have led to prisons in Washington State releasing inmates early to ease their crowding issues. This has resulted in more former inmates residing in our community. The need for a new jail in Skagit County is vital. For years we have been maximizing jail space in a number of innovative ways. In the past few years, significant groundwork has been laid out for a new jail to be built. In this critical time, the need for proven leadership and finding real solutions, is paramount. I believe my experience as a former corrections deputy and now as a Sheriff's Office administrator make me the best person to lead this process.
As your Sheriff, I will lead an experienced team of corrections professionals to implement and manage programs designed to hold all inmates accountable, but at the same time, create jail space so we can continue to incarcerate the most violent offenders, until a new facility is operational. As a member of the Skagit Law and Justice Council, I will continue to work with that organization; made up of public safety professionals and community members, to actively address this important issue. However, as important as a new jail is, it is only a part of the equation. As Sheriff, I will always be mindful to work with schools and juvenile officials in an effort to keep our young people from beginning a life of crime in the first place. In this respect, prevention can be very cost effective with regard to the future.
Will Reichardt