SHERIFF: Why Ben's the best

The Republican sheriff's primary is interesting. You have Adam Johnson whose sole law enforcement experience involves being arrested on several occasions, including felonies. John Green touts his arrests as an officer in Texas, which at two and a half per month of experience is spartan at best. He ran twice for Sheriff in his home state and lost, but more telling is he apparently was never promoted in 10 years. Mr. Green stated that the Sheriff's Department was "top heavy," yet it has the lowest ratio of command personnel (Lieutenant and up) to total personnel of all the surrounding law enforcement agencies.

Keith Hutcheson, Bob Foster and Ben Wolfinger all have professional law enforcement credentials. The reasons I am supporting Ben Wolfinger are:

1. He has extensive experience with the Sheriff's Department including the command of each of the three Bureaus, including the jail. Because of this there would be an instant and smooth transition to Sheriff.

2. He has taught for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, an honor and acknowledgement of his professionalism.

3. He has been involved with numerous organizations within the community and along with growing up in the area means he understands the communities needs.

4. He has exemplary integrity - mandatory for the Office of Sheriff.

TAD LEACH

Chief of Police (Ret.) - Lincolnwood (IL) Police Dept.

Undersheriff (Ret.) - Kootenai County Sheriff's Dept.

Coeur d'Alene