Sheriff hopefuls present visions

The three candidates for Spokane County sheriff presented county commissioners with different visions Monday: Stay the course or shift directions.

The aspirants, all employed by the Sheriff’s Office, were interviewed individually by commissioners in an open public meeting.

Spokane Valley Police Chief Cal Walker, endorsed by outgoing Sheriff Mark Sterk, said his leadership abilities are proven.

“What we need in this agency is stability, not experimentation,” said Walker, 50. “You know what you’re getting with me.”

But Sgt. Ozzie Knezovich, 43, stressed the need for the sheriff to improve communication with the public and the rank and file. He said the department needs to perform better investigations of “critical incidents” involving the department to prevent a repeat of failures, place more emphasis on community policing practices and shift an extra detective to monitor sex offenders.

Lt. Jim Finke, 54, told commissioners that his decision not to run in September’s GOP primary unless first appointed to the spot does not mean his desire to be sheriff is any less.

“I seriously want to be your sheriff,” he said. “I want to give back as much as I can to the community.”

After the interviews, commissioners decided to discuss the candidates at 6 tonight during a closed hearing. If they make a decision after that meeting, it will be done in public.

Sterk resigned March 31, and commissioners appointed Undersheriff Larry Lindskog to fill the top job temporarily. When a vacancy appears in a partisan office in Washington, the party of the vacating official recommends three people to county commissioners to fill it. In December, Republican precinct committee officers voted to back Walker; they also gave commissioners Knezovich’s and Finke’s names.

The appointment is just the beginning of what sheriff employees say is the most contentious race for sheriff in several years. Walker and Knezovich say they will run in the GOP primary for sheriff regardless of who is appointed.

Many of the commissioners’ questions were repeated for each candidate, but Walker and Knezovich were also asked about controversies that have arisen in recent months.

Commissioner Todd Mielke asked Walker to respond to allegations from former Pend Oreille County Sheriff Tony Bamonte that Walker botched a child sexual abuse case against two boys’ ranches in 1984.

Bamonte has said Walker quit in the midst of the investigation, leaving him with little to present at a court inquiry.

Walker said he performed the investigation as best he could as a rookie cop and turned over what he had to the department when he left, which Bamonte disputes.

“I will not lower myself to a mudslinging match,” Walker said, adding that commissioners should pay closer attention to his 18 years of service in Spokane County.

Commissioner Mark Richard asked Knezovich if he would be able to switch roles from union leader to sheriff. Sterk has criticized Knezovich for serving as president of the Spokane County Deputy Sheriffs Association while running for sheriff.

Knezovich, who took a leave of absence from the position at the beginning of the month, noted that he led the group when it successfully negotiated a contract for members. Many previous agreements required an arbitrator to settle.

Although Walker stressed management skills honed and contacts made while in the leadership of Sterk’s office – the Spokane Valley department is run by the Sheriff’s Office – he told commissioners that he’s his own man. He pointed to support he’s gotten from campaign contributors, GOP officials and numerous law enforcement officials. “You are not getting a replica,” he said.

Knezovich noted his support from the deputies, sheriff’s support staff, and radio, forensic and jail cooks unions.

“The true proof of leadership is the willingness to follow that leadership,” he said.