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Sheriff candidate Doug Christiansen introduces campaign at Fielding meeting, stresses training and community engagement
Summary
Doug Christiansen, a highway patrol trooper and resident, used the public-comment period to introduce his sheriff candidacy, described law-enforcement staffing and retention challenges and emphasized training and community involvement as tools to retain deputies.
Doug Christiansen introduced himself during the May 7 meeting as a resident and a highway patrol trooper who is running for county sheriff. Christiansen said he has nearly 20 years in law enforcement and that his priorities include increasing training and community involvement to improve service and retention.
"I would like to see more competency, more training so that when they do go out on calls, they know how to handle themselves," Christiansen said. He told the council he has been in the county for about 17 years, that many deputies now do not live in the immediate area and that turnover is high. Christiansen said he has reached out to the chief of the Department of Corrections and others about providing training, and noted that some state training budgets may be available if requested.
Council members asked about pay scales and how he would entice deputies to stay. Christiansen responded that local pay is largely set by the county and that the most immediate levers are improved training and a better working environment to retain personnel. He characterized community involvement — officers showing up at town events and knowing residents — as important to building local trust.
The remarks were made during the public-comment portion of the meeting. No council action was taken in response to the remarks; the candidate used the opportunity to introduce his priorities and respond to questions from council members and residents.
