Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Latah County’s Sheriff Faces Recall Election Attempt Overstreet Blamed For Departure Of Veteran Officers

Associated Press

A Moscow woman has formed a committee seeking to recall Latah County Sheriff Joe Overstreet.

“I think there is enough feeling in the county (against Overstreet) that the people will make the effort and recall him,” Jan Pitkin said.

She’s critical of the way Overstreet has managed the sheriff’s office and said people are concerned about the number of veteran deputies who have quit since Overstreet took office two years ago.

“We have a lot of new deputies right now with little or no experience,” Pitkin said.

“And when there is an emergency out in the county, they don’t even know where some of the back roads are, so it takes them longer to get there.”

Overstreet could not be reached for comment.

He has said previously that one reason veteran deputies leave the department is for higher wages.

Overstreet has said he is trying to rectify that, but county commissioners won’t approve his pay raise plans.

If a preliminary recall petition is approved, Pitkin and her supporters will have 60 days to gather 4,504 signatures to force a recall election.

But under Idaho laws, it takes more votes to recall an official than the official received when elected.

Election officials said it would take 8,003 votes to recall Overstreet.