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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Doug Orr

A candidate for Sheriff, Spokane County in the 2014 Nov. 4 Washington General Election

Party: Republican

Age: 59

City: Spokane, WA

Occupation: Spokane police detective

DOUG ORR

Education: Bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University, 1987. Master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University, 2001. Doctorate in criminal justice from Washington State University, 2005. Masters of business in human resources from Saint Leo University, 2011.

Work experience: Spokane police detective assigned to sex abuse cases. Joined the Spokane force in 1996. Served previously in police department in Greenville, S.C., 1987-1992. Served in Idaho State Police, 1992-1996. Has taught graduate, undergraduate and distance learning classes through WSU Spokane.

Political experience: President of Idaho State Police Association, 1994. President of Fraternal Order of Police in Greenville, South Carolina, 1991.

Family: Married, two adult children.

Contact information

Race Results

Candidate Votes Pct
Ozzie Knezovich (R) 103,412 70.92%
Doug Orr (R) 42,394 29.08%

Details & headlines

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Police investigating after alleged confrontation involving sheriff

A former Spokane County deputy undersheriff said he was chest bumped by Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich earlier this month outside a candidate forum in Northeast Spokane.

Knezovich, police ombudsman Tim Burns discussing county role

Depending on whom you ask, the timing of Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich’s request for the Spokane police ombudsman to assume a similar role for the county may be perfect, or politically motivated. Discussions between Knezovich and Tim Burns, the man who’s conducted internal reviews of police cases since 2008, have ramped up in recent weeks to formalize a long-standing relationship between the two agencies, the two men said. Knezovich said his pitch to county commissioners Tuesday morning is the culmination of months of discussions he’s had with Burns and the Center for Justice to develop an oversight structure of the department similar to the one in place at the city.

Spokane County sheriff candidates Q&A

Spokane County sheriff candidates were allowed 50 words to respond to each of five questions. Their responses are listed in the order the candidates appear on the ballot. How should the county address jail crowding?

Q&A: Spokane County sheriff candidates Ozzie Knezovich and Doug Orr

Spokane County sheriff’s candidates were allowed 50 words to respond to each of five questions. Their responses are listed in the order they appear on the ballot.

Republican incumbents carry the day in local races

A slate of inconsequential primaries delivered results Tuesday night as both candidates in a number of two-person races moved forward to November’s general election with a better idea of where their support lies. It was a night for incumbents in the Republican Party as state Sen. Michael Baumgartner, Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and state Rep. Matt Shea all took commanding leads of at least 10 percentage points over their opponents. In the largest spread, Knezovich walloped his challenger, Doug Orr, besting him by 33,000 votes of just 74,000 cast in early returns.

Sheriff’s race centers on jail debate

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Arbitrator reinstates deputy who had sex while on duty

A Spokane sheriff’s deputy fired for having sex on duty has been reinstated by a state arbitrator. Deputy Scott Kenoyer will have to sign a last-chance disciplinary agreement to get his job back along with back pay. The agreement will essentially put him on probation for two years, during which time he could be fired if he has any new disciplinary problems.

Deputies endorse Douglas Orr in sheriff race against Ozzie Knezovich

The Spokane County Deputy Sheriffs Association on Thursday announced its endorsement of Douglas Orr over Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich in this year’s race for the county’s top law enforcement official. Orr, a Spokane police detective, is expected to file to run for sheriff against Knezovich, and the two Republicans already have met in one debate.

Doug Clark: Race for sheriff is debate-intensive

DOUG’S SHERIFF’S DEBATE DIARY: Wednesday, 4:57 p.m. – We’re an hour and counting away from OZ vs. ORR I, the first debate* between Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and his opponent, Douglas Orr, a Spokane detective with a Ph.D. in criminal justice.

Sheriff Knezovich, challenger Orr debate issues

Two-term Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich came face to face with 2014 election challenger Douglas Orr Wednesday night, going back and forth on criminal justice reform, the need for a new jail, aerial surveillance, marijuana, body cameras, consolidation and other issues. “Leadership is moving this community forward,” Knezovich told an audience of about 150 people in Council Chambers at City Hall in an event sponsored by the 6th Legislative District Democrats.