NORRIS: Fresh perspective needed

This is not your father’s Kootenai County, nor the one I moved to in 1993. The entire area has grown significantly and will continue to. Most of our growth is from people like me who chose this area — for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, this growth has also generated an increase in crime, a change in the type of crimes and severity thereof, and other new law enforcement issues. It is imperative that the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) implements current and best law enforcement practices to provide professional service to the citizens of and visitors to Kootenai County during these trying times.

I have been in law enforcement as a Police Chief (Lincolnwood (IL) PD), Coordinator of the Law Enforcement Program at North Idaho College, Undersheriff of the KCSO, and law enforcement consultant/expert witness, since 1971. I have also gotten to know Bob Norris — prior to his running for Sheriff.

Bob has exceptional law enforcement experience, from line to administrative positions. He has lived for some time in the county and been in contact with numerous law enforcement professionals, both past and current, to get professional insight about the issues of law enforcement in the county and the KCSO. I found Bob to be professionally knowledgeable, sincerely interested in everyone’s professional insight, and perhaps most important, has no preconceived ideas (read open minded).

This is exactly the kind of law enforcement professional we need to lead the KCSO. One who can bring a fresh perspective to the organization from someone who has previously experienced and successfully dealt with similar issues! I strongly endorse Bob Norris for Kootenai County Sheriff.

TAD LEACH

Coeur d’Alene