Candidate Profile-Tom Cronin
Birth date: Aug. 10, 1945
Profession: Law Enforcement
Educational background: B. A. in Criminal Justice, M.S. in Social Justice both obtained at Lewis University; 1986 Fellowship to the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime at the Behavioral Science Unit of the FBI (one of only 38 in the world); 1992 Executive Development Program-University of Illinois; 1997 Executive Management Program-Northwestern University; 1998-1999 Executive Seminars in Public Management and Police Leadership-University of Illinois; 1999 Advanced Threat Assessment and Management- Gavin deBecker
Public service (elected or appointed offices): 1964-1968 United States Air Force; 1969-2000 Chicago Police Department concluding as the city wide Commander of the Forensic Services Division (CSI-Chicago); 2000-2003 Police Chief city of Coeur d’Alene; 2003-2005 Police Chief Coeur d’Alene Tribe.
Community service (service clubs, nonprofit boards, etc.): Coeur d’Alene Rotary 2000-2003 2005-present currently on Board of Directors (BOD); St. Maries Rotary BOD 2003-2005; United Way BOD 2001-2003; Women’s Center BOD 2003-2007; Kootenai County 911 Advisory Board 2000-2005; Kootenai County Emergency Planning Board 2000-2007; North Idaho Coalition Against Domestic Violence 2001-2005; N. I. C. Law Enforcement Advising Board 2000-2006; N. I. C. Booster Club BOD 2005-2009; Kootenai County Jail Expansion Committee 2006; Secret Witness BOD 2007-2009; CdA Summer Theatre BOD 2007-2009; CdA Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee 2006-present; ICARE BOD 2007; Co-chair CdA School Levy Campaign 2007; volunteer CASA Guardian Ad Litem 2007-present; CASA BOD 2008-present
How many years as a resident of your city: 10
Marital status: married wife Judi Cronin bank manager Wells Fargo Bank Government Way and Appleway
Family: Daughter Elizabeth, flower shop owner in Chicago; step daughter Jodi, advertising in Minneapolis.
Hobbies: Golf, cooking, exercising
Why are you running for office?
I want to continue the professionalism of this office that was started with Dr. Bill Wood, who was a Rotarian with me until his death, and continued through Dr. West’s terms. I have dedicated my entire life to public service and I am the only candidate that has the credentials, expertise and skills to continue that level of professionalism.
What do you see as the three biggest issues you’ll face?
Most deaths that occur in Kootenai County are natural, however when a death is not natural an expertise needs to be employed for a proper classification. I believe that another issue is to continue to control costs through the judicious use of the autopsy. Another issue to be addressed is the rather poor record of organ and cadaver donations.
If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?
Proper classifications can only result from a professional investigation conducted by someone who has years of experience in that field. Through years of training and actually performing these types of inquires I have demonstrated this expertise. Continued cost controls regarding the judicious use of the forensic autopsy can be accomplished through very thorough investigations and coordinating with both the scene and the law enforcement investigations. Regarding organ and cadaver donations I believe that the Coroner can advocate a strong educational program linked with the medical and health agencies in this area.
What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?
In 1986 I attended the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology’s basic and advanced courses in the principals of forensic pathology which included the identification and interpretation of evidence, injuries and diseases and correlates those findings with the scene and law enforcement investigation. I subsequently investigated thousands of deaths and have taught coroners and police the nuances of death investigations.
Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?
The misclassification of one death can have devastating consequences for a family and the County. In my 41 year career I have developed into a nationally recognized consultant and lecturer on all types of death investigations. My career in law enforcement and my dedication to public service serves as a track record to my continued commitment to Kootenai County.