The Journal invited the five candidates for sheriff to tell you, in 400 words or less, what you need to know about what they will do as our top cop. Here are their guest columns.
Rob Nou: ‘I have the background to hit the ground running’
As you look over your primary election ballot, I truly hope that each of you carefully consider the choices before you — particularly as you cast your vote for San Juan County sheriff. You currently have five choices, and the top two will advance to the general election in November.
The sheriff should be a proven leader. He is the chief law enforcement officer for the county, responsible for providing our island communities with the levels of service and protection that you expect and deserve. I have served as the “top cop,” — as the Chief of Police in Burns, Ore., from 2004-08. I led an agency of five full-time officers. The agency also had the 911 center which served the entire county.
The sheriff must understand policing small communities, as each of our island communities are — small communities with vastly different cultures, personalities and needs. I have served small communities. I live and work on Lopez. I was the police chief in a town of 3,000. I served two other small towns, supervising deputies to provide contract police services.
The sheriff must understand and be able to function effectively in the government process, with council and other departments. I have done that. As police chief, I worked regularly and effectively with city councils, with city managers and mayors and with other department heads. I built and managed budgets. I wrote and managed grants. I negotiated union contracts and managed employees within a union shop environment.
The sheriff must be well trained and up to date on a myriad of law enforcement issues. I have over 3,000 hours of in-service law enforcement training, across the spectrum. I am a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the gold standard in training for law enforcement leaders and executives from around the world.
In 16 years as a sergeant with the Yamhill County Sheriff”s Office, I led every facet of the department at one time or another. I supervised patrol deputies, detectives, the marine unit, forest patrol, DARE, records, animal control, concealed handgun licenses, traffic, DUI, major crash team and contract cities.
I have the experience, the skills, the training and the background to “hit the ground running,” which is essential for our next sheriff. Do some research on the candidates, I believe the choice is crystal clear … elect Rob Nou, San Juan County Sheriff.
ONLINE
—www.robnou4sheriff.com
