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November 18, 2011 in City
Sheriff offers to lead SPD
Talk of policing merger renewed as city makes transition
Ozzie Knezovich said he wouldn’t ask to be paid as interim police chief.
(Full-size photo)
The search to replace Spokane police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick hasn’t even begun, but there’s already a high-profile candidate: Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich.
Knezovich confirmed Thursday that he’s willing to serve as the city’s interim chief, an administrative role he believes he could fill while continuing to run the Sheriff’s Office.
“It wouldn’t be any different than leading a bigger force,” Knezovich said.
With change at the top of the Spokane Police Department, Knezovich said the timing is perfect for the city and county to explore combining the force with the Sheriff’s Office. The police and sheriff’s departments are, respectively, the largest and second-largest law enforcement agencies in Eastern Washington.
With him temporarily at the helm, Knezovich said, the city and county would have time to consider crafting an agreement for the city to contract its operations with the Sheriff’s Office, much like Spokane Valley does.
He said he wouldn’t ask for additional payment to do the job.
Mayor-elect David Condon said Thursday that he is open to Knezovich’s offer but added that he’s heard from other potential candidates, too. Spokane Mayor Mary Verner has said she plans to start a national search for a police chief so that a process is under way when Condon becomes mayor. Condon said he’s OK with Verner moving ahead with a search as long as the selection is made after he becomes mayor.
Condon said he wants his transition team to consider whether he should pursue a consolidation with the Sheriff’s Office.
“Simply put, it’s on the table,” said Condon, adding that he’s also open to considering interim Assistant Chief Scott Stephens for a temporary role as chief while final plans are being assembled. “As a political leader I owe it to myself to understand what it means. By no means is it something I take lightly.”
Consolidation of government services has been a frequent topic among city and county leaders for decades. But consolidation has appeared less palatable since voters rejected a full consolidation of city and county governments in 1995 and approved the incorporation of Spokane Valley in 2003. In the last few years, in fact, regionalization has gone in reverse. The city decided to pull out of the county-run district court in 2008 and the county recently has said it plans to leave the city-run regional solid waste system. Just this month, voters rejected a plan to regionalize animal control.
Kirkpatrick declined to comment on Knezovich’s candidacy for her job.
“First I’d like to talk to the (Condon) transition team and let them speak to that themselves,” she said.
Kirkpatrick said consolidating the departments has long been a discussion.
“It’s always a discussion and has been for years among law enforcement communities,” she said. “It’s a topic everywhere in the country.”
Whether or not the police department merges with the Sheriff’s Office, it is at a major crossroads.
Not only has Kirkpatrick announced her retirement for Jan. 2, but Verner announced this week that she will ask the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation into the policies and procedures of policing in Spokane to help bring public confidence back to the force after Officer Karl F. Thompson Jr. was convicted earlier this month for excessive force and lying.
Although Condon said he’s open to pursuing consolidation, he added that pushing ahead with a merger early in his term might be too much change at the start. He said he believes consolidation works better when local governments share control of an organization, such as the Spokane Transit Authority or Spokane International Airport, rather than contractual relationships, like Spokane Regional Solid Waste System.
Knezovich, who backed Condon’s bid to lead Spokane, said he’s had a couple of phone conversations with Condon to discuss the idea. He said he also talked with Verner about it, and she considered appointing a task force to study the concept. Knezovich said once the process moves forward it could be complete in six months to a year.
Combining forces would eliminate duplications and may allow him to boost services, including restoration of property crime investigations in the city. The city eliminated its property crime detective unit this year.
Spokane Police Guild President Ernie Wuthrich said he hadn’t heard anything about Knezovich being a candidate until a reporter called.
He said he has a lot of questions about how Knezovich could run both organizations and how a merger would work.
“I don’t even know what to think about that,” he said. “I don’t know how that would work. Obviously I don’t think our members dislike Sheriff Knezovich, but I don’t know. I just don’t know.”
He said he’s long known of “informal talks” of combining the agencies. He said if a formal proposal is made, guild members likely would vote on it.
“I think we’d have to,” he said. “It would definitely affect wages, hours and working conditions somewhere in there.”
Wuthrich said he’s not surprised Knezovich may be looking to combine.
“His department is shrinking with the (West Plains) annexation and the city of Spokane Valley constantly chattering about the possibility of starting their own police department and not contracting with the county anymore,” Wuthrich said. “I think that would be a concern to me if I was sheriff.”
Spokane City Councilman Jon Snyder said Thursday he hasn’t heard consolidation discussed about the police department since he’s been a council member. He said he suspects moving that direction would involve substantial policy and operations implications.
“I don’t see how it would not take a lot of effort,” he said.
Council President-elect Ben Stuckart also said he hadn’t heard about the sheriff’s offer.
“There needs to be a very large community conversation about policing and that’s not something to take lightly,” Stuckart said.
Sheriff’s employees generally earn less than police employees. Knezovich said grandfathering current city officers under the current scale and hiring new officers under the deputy scales could save money. But it’s far from clear that the Spokane Police Guild would accept such terms.
Knezovich said he’s open to having an ombudsman with investigative power and said there’s another benefit to residents to consolidation.
“A sheriff is held accountable every four years,” Knezovich said.
Staff writer Meghann M. Cuniff contributed to this report.
Closing Geiger: Wise or worrisome? 
Slightlyworried on November 18 at 12:10 a.m.
With Ozzie running both deparmtents we would save a lot of money on time wasting police coverups. Tucker could be declining to charge police misconduct and corruption in days rather than months.
Lewis on November 18 at 3:28 a.m.
if both are connected when one kills someone the same department will do the investigations, sounds like a win win for the coppers, and increased business for the area funeral homes.
ChefGus/ John Olsen on November 18 at 5:23 a.m.
I know Sheriff Ozzie on a personal basis as well as in his professional calling. My view is that he can/could do both jobs, and that our city council and city mayor and county commissioners should do all they can to facilitate this fine and trustworthy man being in charge of our basin’s police force. The only motivation that I can sight for his being available for this thankless job is one of service and devotion to our community. John
mdriftmeyer on November 18 at 5:49 a.m.
Spare us all. If he gets defeated it won’t be too soon.
ogdensk on November 18 at 6:06 a.m.
Unacceptable! He’s no better than our current police chief.
Hunterman on November 18 at 6:12 a.m.
A sheriff is re-elected every four years. That’s a good thing, is it not? It would help to keep corruption in check and help prevent the kind of problems we seem to be haning with the SPD.
Shadedmuse on November 18 at 6:16 a.m.
Tea-bagger in Spokane county would vote for the tea-bagger canidate even if the Tea-bagger party ran a monkey, the Monkey would win because the area is full of Yea-baggers that vote for the tea-bagger canidate. the only place farther to the right then Spokane is Idaho Falls-Salt Lake-Provo area.
soccermomsusie on November 18 at 6:20 a.m.
A glimpse of a future Doug Clark article?
http://youtu.be/eN2r95a7iYc
Here are the words, I think. I usually don’t go in for ethnic songs, but this one is kinda catchy.
I love the sheriff
But I do not like the SPD, oh no! no!
I love the sheriff
But I do not like the SPD, ooh, ooh! ooooh!
Yeah, some call me just a farm clone
Their words won’t bring me down
In every column I will always be
bashing and mashing the SPD
Sawing have troops about the SPD
But I say:
Oh, now, now, Oh
I love the sheriff
Sometimes I miss pass and presence tents oooh oooh ooh
I love the sheriff
with him, one day, I’d love to dance the drense (?)
Sheriff Ozzie always ignored me
For what I don’t know
Every time I’d write loving screed
He said, “Doug Clark, leave me alone.”
He said, “Doug Clark, leave me alone.”
And so… And so…
Read me in the nudes!!
I love the sheriff
But I do not like the SPD, really don’t like the SPD
I love the sheriff
But I do not like the SPD, ooh, ooh! ooooh!
Was writing my column one day
And I had to put my twinkie down yeah
All of a sudden, I saw Sheriff Ozzie
trying to avoid me by going around
So, I chased, I chased, I chased him down
and I say, For Sheriff Ozzie I am okay, kay, kay.
I love the sheriff
But I do not like the SPD, oh no! no!
I love the sheriff
But I do not like the SPD, ooh, ooh! ooooh!
My love has got the better of me When it comes to Ozzie and me
Everyday I frequent Taco Bell
One day my pants bottom will rip out
One day my pants bottom will rip out
I say!
That’s all I could get. Maxie was barking at Al Roker this morning, so I couldn’t hear it very good.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
Orphan on November 18 at 6:23 a.m.
Disband the guild eer I mean SPD Jan 1, hire the Sheriff’s department to do the police work in Spokane sounds like a great idea to me.
We could get rid of the guild and a goodly portion of the killer cops. at the same time put a citizens review board in place with teeth to oversee the sheriffs Department. I never have liked the fact that the SPD works for the people but the people really have no real say in what they do. This is a chance to make some changes that mean something.
Fire all of the SPD folks administration, officers, managment and then only hire back the decent ones at the Sheriffs pay rate for their experiance level. The city gets a better police force and the tax payers get to save some money.
Truthhurts on November 18 at 6:34 a.m.
The Sheriff’s office has not properly investigated the SPD, and so Ozzie cannot have our confidence.
It also smells like a tactic to derail and confuse the pattern and practice investigation.
Liberalsblow on November 18 at 7:03 a.m.
why would the new mayor hand over power to another elected official?
It would be because he doesn’t really care about leading Spokane, has really never been a leader, or is afraid of leading.
Mayor of Spokane is a stepping stone for this guy. If Verner had fired the chief she would still be mayor
Byrdie714 on November 18 at 7:12 a.m.
Stick to ONE job Ozzie.
valleyman on November 18 at 7:44 a.m.
Glad to see there are some intelligent comments on this thread at least.
@Byrdie: Did you know it is the ELECTED Sheriff’s job to POLICE the COUNTY?
Did you know you get to and got a VOTE for or against the Sheriff? Did that ever happen in the city with the chief?
D Statler on November 18 at 7:56 a.m.
Bringing your own house in order would have went miles towards a merger of both departments. Ozzy had multiple chances to correct the course of the Sheriffs office before the questionable shootings. I would have to repectfully decline the offer also. No matter how much financial sense the offer made at this time.
BTW: I do believe changes have been made since the questionable shootings. These terrible tragedies seem to be slowing down lately. :^) ThankYou
Shelala on November 18 at 8:41 a.m.
The holiday season usually sees an uptick in police activity and domestic violence issues. Although Otto and Creach are fresh(er) in the public’s memory, there have been others. It will be interesting to see LE response in the busy season.
GaryP on November 18 at 8:48 a.m.
The SPD needs real change… Ozzie is more of the corrupt same
Jethro_toll on November 18 at 8:52 a.m.
When Ozzie holds the Killer of Creach responsible, then we just might consider this.
Why hasnt the Feds investigated this murder?
D Statler on November 18 at 9:27 a.m.
@ jethro, Because of all the shootings lately. The Creach shooting was probably the most legally justified.Mr. Creach should have placed his gun on the ground first thing when ordered.I would have probably shot the officer also if he was beating me with a baton.I am sure at that point anyone would be affraid for their lives.It may not have happened if Mr. Creach would have followed orders. It was a prime example of excessive force and cover ups afterwards. This is where Ozzy failed Mr. Creach and his family.
The Dodd shooting will shed light on more cover-ups and corruption. The crime scene investigation was inferrior at best.Evidence moved and removed.Pictures obviously omitted. The complete lack by authorities to use the corronors reports and trajectory angles in the investigation wreaks of corruption. I stand by my belief that shot #3 was pre-meditated murder.
There has been lots of good police work mixed in with the bad.We need to recognize the good Officers in the Sheriff’s department and reward them for their efforts.ThankYou deputies for all the good work you do.Correcting abuses in your organization will return the respect and trust you desreve when you serve.
God Bless :^)
Shadedmuse on November 18 at 9:43 a.m.
i say Karl Thompson should be the Guy that leads SPD, he would make the best police Chief/Sheriff or Police Comishoner to over see all Law enforcement and District lawyers in Spokane-CDA metro area.
EthicsinLE on November 18 at 10:02 a.m.
I think this would be an excellent, responsible decision! The sheriff will bring strong, accountable leadership. He already knows the issues facing SPD and has a good relationship with the community. There are too many internal issues and division to have someone from within SPD to take even an interim Chief role. Knezovich has demonstrated himself to be a strong leader and no doubt holds people accountable. I think the rank and file of SPD and citizens deserve and need a good, strong, ethical leader. Knezovich has the community’s best interest at heart and will do wonders to restore the trust of the community.
I think the ultimate best decision would be for SPD to dissolve and contract with the SO for law enforcement. SPD Officer’s would have to go through the hiring process, to include background checks, polygraph, psych, etc., not all would be hired. I expect the guild would oppose this, not sure. There is no easier transaction for this type of move as both agencies already use the same facility, dispatch center, records, computer systems, property, etc.. The cost savings would be huge as you would reduce duplicate services and cut back on being brass heavy. The sheriff is accountable directly to the citizens via elections every 4 years. If any of you know Knezovich, you know he truly cares about the community. He is not in this for extra money, glory or anything else, but to serve the community. I know some officers of SPD would not want to work for a Sheriff’s department, but it’s not about the guild, it’s about the community and good, ethical law enforcement services. I would venture to say you would see several SPD retirements if this were to occur.
bonk on November 18 at 10:19 a.m.
Do any of you know how much he has cost the County because of his personnel decisions? How many sheriff’s deputies have been charged or disciplined for excessive force? He was upset at the KT verdict!! Think twice about this empire builder and how much it would cost to bring the deputies up to PD wages.
kathrynmary on November 18 at 10:25 a.m.
I have the utmost respect for Ozzie and believe he would be the best for the City & County. He is a man with integrity and would be best for all citizens. He is no nonsense when it comes to officers not doing what is right! Thank you for offering to step up and get the public’s trust back in law enforcement Ozzie!
samvimes on November 18 at 10:35 a.m.
Wasn’t this the guy who had no problem with allowing his deputy, Brian Hirzel, go on a week’s vacation to Vegas the day after he killed Mr. Creach? And he wants to take over the entirety of the county’s LE? Personally, I think he’s going to have a tough time getting re-elected, let alone run 2 departments at once. What a disgustingly bad idea.
RSGraf on November 18 at 10:43 a.m.
Be very careful people. This is one of those things that would be hard to undo once it’s done.
Just as on a Federal level, the Department of Defense is placed under the control of a civilian Citizen manager (Secretary of Defense) at the direction of the Commander in Chief (President), Spokane should consider the benefits of placing the SPD under the direct supervision of a civilian Citizen manager as Chief of Police who answers to the Mayor who answers to the Citizens.
Cops are not good managers.
They tend to lack imagination.
They tend to resist change.
They tend to shield bad cops.
They tend to mostly identify as cops and huddle with cops.
If anything, it would probably be best if the Sheriff’s Office was dissolved and placed under the supervision of the same Citizen Manager appointedby the Mayor to manage the SPD.
Again, I think former Spokane County Assessor, Ralph Baker, might be the best qualified Civlian prick to restore discipline, honor and integrity to both law enforcement agencies while introducing long overdue technical innovations to both reduce the budget and improve quality of safety and security in the Spokane region.
nslopeofw on November 18 at 11:03 a.m.
I’m sure a few of you respect Ozzie, but doesnt he “investigate” SPD shootings? Didnt he support the SPD in regards to the Zehm case? As far as i can tell, he’s just one more cog in the corrupt Spokane LE machine. This is a bad idea.
Shaded-
You are the most hateful bigot of any of the SR posters. If you had a brain, you would be scary. You could swap “tea-baggers” in any of your comments with any minority, and you’d be banned from posting here. There are only a handful of true bigots on here, and you could be their leader. Your comments are despicable, and you seem to be so hung up on conservatives, that i truly wonder about your ability to rationalize anything. Your undying support for the convicted felon Karl Thompson shows your true nature. Time for you to do a little reading (not uberliberal stuff), and enlighten your closed, bigoted mind. I would not be surprised to find out you and the Reverend Butler were good friends.
EthicsinLE on November 18 at 11:04 a.m.
To those opposed to the sheriff leading SPD until they find a new chief, what would you propose? Have a current SPD employee serve as acting chief? The department has such distrust issues and internal turmoil that would be the absolute wrong thing to do. You need someone from outside to even begin the process of rebuilding trust and credibility. I’m not saying there is not people who would not serve well within SPD, but the department really needs fresh blood to rebuild the public’s confidence and promote new ideas. The search for a Chief can take many months, who do you propose lead in the mean time? Time to stop believing what you read in the paper and blogs folks, take the time to educate yourselves with facts. No, that would require work and effort.
Ron, maybe you should research the law before you make stupid proposals. State law does not allow for a Sheriff’s department to be dissolved. The sheriff is a required, elected office, required by law to provide certain services. As to a civilian chief – that’s so ill thought out and idiotic I won’t bother to address it. It’s not done for a reason. I see many people complaining, and there is no better choice as the sheriff is accountable to you, the citizens via elections. With a Chief, you have no say. You don’t like what the sheriff is doing, vote him out. This is your best way to get a voice and accountability.
valleyman on November 18 at 11:42 a.m.
@Ethics: That’s the problem with their comments. They have no ideas, just negative comments. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked them to come up with sound reasoning for a viewpoint they hold.
It’s like saying the Creach and Dodd shootings weren’t justified. Where’s the evidence of that? And before one of you tells me to go look at the Dodd family website, I’ll say I have, and it doesn’t show me anything at all that would cast even a shadow of a doubt on the validity of that shoot.
You want accountability, allow an elected official to run the department. If you don’t want accountability, then just be quiet and allow the status quo to continue. You don’t like Ozzie, fine… Run someone against him next time, otherwise, stop whining. We do live in a representative democracy, and you do still get a voice… It’s called an election.
wdodd on November 18 at 11:50 a.m.
Defore sheriff Ozzie takes the reigns of the SPD he needs to clean up his own department first.Then more power to him in cleaning up the corrupted SPD.
wdodd on November 18 at 11:52 a.m.
Ozzie doesn’t know how to contact the victims families after a tradgedy. I am speeking truth here! Its been over a year now and still nop contact from him. Were still waiting Ozzie.
wdodd on November 18 at 11:53 a.m.
still no comtact. sorry for typo
liberal_in_right_wing_land on November 18 at 12:00 p.m.
Ummm…………..NO!!!!!!!
This is another one of these idiots who somehow keeps getting re-elected because they are republicans (along with Steve Tucker and Cathy McMoRo) who has contributed little to nothing to Spokane and this area and cause more controversy about how little and ineffective they are rather than by what they actually do. Funny, and republicans say we democrats blindly vote for whoever, yet please explain how these losers have held office for so long.
Although, I will say he would fit right in with the Spokane Police since his department also loves to use excessive force and kill innocent civilians.
valleyman on November 18 at 12:15 p.m.
@liberal… Do I sense a little bit of hate towards Republicans??? You choose to reside here, so if you hate Republicans being elected so much, I’ll personally be the first to contribute to your relocation fund. Otherwise, please feel free to stop complaining when a majority of voters (who are Conservative) continue to elect conservatives…
SpokoJoeSho_1 on November 18 at 12:25 p.m.
Its not the size of your department Ozzie, its how you use it!
All that will happen is inflated officer salaries, a city with less police coverage, and a county with more coverage.
Letting Ozzie riegn over all that is LE in the area will only create more problems. His own people hate him. His ego can only be fed by more power and flexing that power over others…sounds like a bully to me. I think the bully of a police chief that the city has just cost them somewhere in the neighborhood of $700k.
Condon is making all sorts of statements before he has many of the facts….so foolish….one termers continue.
DickAdams on November 18 at 12:27 p.m.
Ozzie`s track record showing he was involved in covering up the Otto Zehm crime, why in heavens name would the Spokane citizens even think of allowing him to fill in for the Chief of the SPD? So far as I`m concerned, the sheriff needs to be put under the microscope like the other officials (liars) involved with the corrupted Spokane police department.
hammer1969 on November 18 at 12:36 p.m.
@ SpokoJoeSho Exectly right: “All that will happen is inflated officer salaries, a city with less police coverage, and a county with more coverage.”
In addition the mayor/city council will lose control to hire/fire their Police chief and assistant Chief. The Mayor and City Counsel would lose how they speend City tax payer money. Ridiculous.
Remember, this is the same Sheriff that had the deputy showing his penis to the coffeee girl, not to mention the Deputies involved in the Creach and Dodd shootings. How did that work out for the County citizens. And these things happened to an agency that has 1/2 the number of City cops and goes to 1/3 of the number of calls. Which agency has more per capita problems?
City residents would be the most foolish to allow this to happen.
Shadedmuse on November 18 at 12:55 p.m.
Liberal
The only job Cathy Mcmo-Mo created was the one she and her supporters bought for her Boy. other then that she spends all her time doing media appearence and wasting time on bogus nonsense stuff? how many jobs does that create.
Karl Thompson best Choice to be the new Chief.
EthicsinLE on November 18 at 1:12 p.m.
Valleyman, I couldn’t agree more. When I read many of these blogs, I just shake my head in disgust at the ignorance and misinformation. To many people read it in the paper and assume it’s fact (And we all know how fair and accurate our local media is). Or they hear it from their aunt’s cousin’s brother’s neighbor’s baby’s mama hairdresser and it must be true.
I don’t care what a person’s political affiliation is. Democrat, Republican, there is good and bad in both. I do care that they will be a good leader and serve the community and department as they should. I am still waiting for someone to list a viable, reasonable, realistic option. I know, some will say “Fire em’ all, start over”. Reality check, there are many, many good officers who don’t deserve to be fired. That is not realistic given due process, collective bargaining agreements and a little thing called the law. I hear lots of complaints, but no viable, realistic, legal solutions. A search for a police Chief can easily take 6 – 12 mos. if you want to do it right. Then if you hire from outside the area, you never really know what your getting – hence the situation were in now. Given the importance of the Chief and problems SPD faces, hopefully the city council will take their time and hire the right person for the long term. So, AGAIN, who do any of you propose take leadership in the meantime? I vote for lewis – just to watch him piss his pants every time someone looks at him with crazy eyes.
The position of Chief cannot be voted out by the citizens, she was hired by city leaders. With an elected position, you, the citizens, get to decide who the Sheriff will be. You get to decide the “Leader”, not some city council. If you don’t like how he is doing, you get to decide the new Sheriff. You get far more accountability and voice with this option.
EthicsinLE on November 18 at 1:16 p.m.
@ hammer, “In addition the mayor/city council will lose control to hire/fire their Police chief and assistant Chief.” - good point. Now, YOU, THE CITIZENS, get to pick your Sheriff if SPD is dissolved. What would you prefer, that the city council gets to hire the person who will “Play well” with THEM and go along with their agenda or a Sheriff the PEOPLE pick? I’ll take the one hired by we, the people any day.
bonk on November 18 at 1:35 p.m.
I am a Republican and a former elected official—no, I was not unelected, I resigned. A good idea would be to get a retired former respectable law enforcement person to come in and take the reigns in the interim. Sure, the public theoretically gets to choose its elected officials every 4 years, but do you know how hard it is to recall one if they mess up. Unless they are convicted of a felony it is pretty difficult—so they have 4 years basically in a no cut contract!! I don’t live in the City of Spokane, so do what you want.
kennyhuston on November 18 at 1:45 p.m.
Brian Breen for Chief of Police!!!!!
crickets.
Don’t blame you Mr. Breen.
Ron_The_Cop?
estatetracker on November 18 at 2:00 p.m.
When neighborhood planning failed, planning became local. When local planning failed, planning beame regional.
When regional planning failed, planning was required state-wide—and then the Fed became involved when state planning “failed.”
Hmm—a regional policed force. Where will it end?
Real question here: what ever happened to the “Cop Shops” they seemed from the outside to be effective. Would really like to hear Mr. Breens opinion on this matter, I have come to respect your words.
brianrbreen on November 18 at 2:01 p.m.
@hammer1969
It isn’t going to happen, so don’t worry about it. Take the money like Dunn suggests and go from there, and realize like you were warned before, some people know. It would be the best now to forget about things and make it the best of a career that got a lot of ribbons and that kind of crap.. I swear to you I won’t get involved, unless you don’t take the money and run As you know, I can be a jerk , when it comes to the Department.
brianrbreen on November 18 at 3:12 p.m.
@GaryP
Because I know, I’ll do it this way with respect to your perspective which you and I both know is some what jaded.
If you want a power grab, do it at a time, when your people are totally behind you not when it may be a situation when you might be in trouble. Some people might come forward.
Despite the fact that Condon is a Republican as is Ozzie, I’m hoping Condon has sense enough read beyond that, and if he has any political motivation beyond the City of Spokane he has to do one hell of a job making things right.
As far as Ozzie is concerned. I think some of the guys would like to not have him there, and would like to just be cops, and do their job, but what do I know.
I guess my point is, if the city has to rely on the county to clean up their messes, we are really in trouble.
brianrbreen on November 18 at 3:37 p.m.
@Green
I realize it isn’t good to be obtuse. But sometimes you may have to deal with dumb people. So you do what you have to do!
brianrbreen on November 18 at 3:43 p.m.
@EthicsinLE
Would you like my input regarding your post, or should I just shut up?
EthicsinLE on November 18 at 4:20 p.m.
@briarbreen, I’d listen to any input you have. That was just my opinion, I could be wrong. You have knowledge of SPD far greater than I do, so your thoughts have merit. I will say I have talked with MANY SPD patrol officers and the overwhelming message I have heard is they would support Knezovich as Chief, leader or whatever title you place upon him. I think that for the circumstances SPD and the city are currently in, it is wise and prudent to have him step in during the interim as they look for a new Chief. As to dissolving SPD and contracting with the SO, if done right, I think it could be a good thing. I know there are lots of obstacles to this, politics being the biggest. But, being realistic, I don’t believe it would ever happen. No matter how they do it, I just want to see SPD get back on track and the community trust to be restored. The officers of SPD certainly deserve better leadership than they’ve been given.
As to Stephens as interim Chief, I don’t know him well enough to form an opinion. I will say that it will be difficult for the PD to fix the issues and gain credibility if they keep promoting from within. Under normal circumstances, I’m a big supporter of promoting from within, but these are not normal circumstances.
Spokane_Citizen on November 18 at 4:48 p.m.
Actually, consolidating city and county public safety services is a terrific idea!
brianrbreen on November 18 at 5:35 p.m.
@EthicsinLE
What you have to do is be in a position to have people talk openly without fear they are going to get burned, and you have to take what was said with a grain of salt and talk to some old guys that worked under other Sheriffs then make your own decision. The biggest thing is, as Ozzie knows, it is a political job and he will likely have an opponent next time up which in a lot of cases means he will but himself above the troops, something they all keep in mind.
Is it a power grab? I say yes! Will it work? I say no! Even though they are both Rs, I would hope that if Condon has any political aspirations beyond this he knows it’s not a good move.
Like I said earlier if you go back and look at the King County Police Department, and see what happened there all the troubles, and how they eventually reverted back to a Sheriff, then you might have some idea how difficult the transition is.
Now is definitely not the time, I don’t know about down the road.
As far as eliminating a property crimes unit is concerned, that was a stupid play, and even with a cursory look at the stats and the budget there is no reason for that. It might mean the end of PIOs, forcing the brass to actually have to talk to the media, and it might mean the end to some really stupid fluff. But there is no reason for it.
BTW: Don’t listen to what Spokane_Citizen has to say, the last thing important he did was scrub toilets with a tooth brush.
smittysturn on November 18 at 5:37 p.m.
Combining SPD and the Sheriff’s Office under Ozzie is an excellent idea. Should have been done a long time ago.
Spokane_Citizen on November 18 at 5:40 p.m.
Brian, I bet you say that about all us girls!
Spokane_Citizen on November 18 at 5:43 p.m.
And of course the important thing to remember is that I did it with your toothbrush!
brianrbreen on November 18 at 5:45 p.m.
@EthicsinLE
One of the things I’ve learned over the years, is just how dumb some cops are, probably including me. But I would bet many don’t realize what the consolidation process involves, and how many would be gone because of that process. Sooner or later some of the idiots will take a look at that.
brianrbreen on November 18 at 5:48 p.m.
@Spokane_Citizen
That’s okay I won’t tell you what I did with yours. But the BAMs loved it.
brianrbreen on November 18 at 6:28 p.m.
@estatetracker
In my opinion they could be absolutely outstanding if the level of supervision and accountability was such that they were utilized as a place for people to go get help and the cops to go to do their reports and interact only to the extent that means something. Then get their ass back in the car or on the beat out in the neighborhood and do some LULU. Don’t sit around for hours watching the Gonzaga game, or sit around BSing.
D Statler on November 18 at 8:22 p.m.
@ brian, Thanks for the insight.
@ valleyman, It is easy to look thru the Dodd shooting pics and reports with your eyes closed. Please explain shot #3 ??? In fact please explain shots 1 and 2 if he was indeed rushing Rustin Olsen. Dodd must have been running sideways I guess. Shot #3 was pre meditated murder. Otto was shot with a pop bottle in his hand. Dodd was shot with a keychain in his hand. It is not clear when Olsen and his partners placed the rock in the pictures.The Dodd shooting is far from a clean shoot. It is not clear why he was even shot if he was walking sideways to Olsen. Why was it released that Dodd was positive for drugs when the toxicology reports were negative? Please open your eyes and take off your blinders. The County medical examiner did!
Spokane_Citizen on November 18 at 8:59 p.m.
@Brian….never saw even one BAM during my tour. Certainly none of my close-combat instructors ever looked like the Corporal taking Justin Timberlake to the Marine Corps Ball. Mostly they were scary tough little recon types with pics of themselves standing atop trophy piles of VC. Now is much better than then, if you catch my drift. But I digress…..
Consolidation of regional services is always tricky. SPD is at a crisis crossroads. The community needs to be careful that they don’t mistake what appears to be convenient (and less painful) for what will provide a lasting solution. Unfortunately, a lot of this stuff comes down to the intangible problem of finding the right leader, at the right time. That can make all the difference….trust means everything.
Lewis on November 18 at 9:57 p.m.
valleyman you said I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked them to come up with sound reasoning for a viewpoint they hold.
but we have pointed out many of your mis-truths but you always say we know best and never give any examples aren’t you contradicting yourself as usual?
if a elected official has no running mate aren’t we stuck with said official like we were in last sheriff election?
How about a intelligent response just once? Please I will give you a day old donut.
wdodd on November 19 at 12:02 a.m.
@undooly_prosecuted
I think valleyman is afraid to admit that his boys screwed up and trying to put this under the rug. I think if he continues to tell himself these lies then he will believe them to be true. This cover up shooting is long from being over and maybe the DOJ will look into this and many other cases that are being whitewashed.
valleyman on November 19 at 1:05 a.m.
@Undooly: Otto wasn’t shot… Nice try but you simply just lost all credibility. Dodd was shot, and the investigation concluded properly so. I am not an expert and thus have nothing more to add. Are you an expert, or simply a blowhard like the rest of the Dodd commentators on here?
wdodd on November 19 at 6:48 a.m.
@ valleyman
You have yet made a intelliegent comment on the dodd shooting photos. It appears that your blind as a bat or as stupid as they come. Thats why spokane is so messed up right now with corrupution. People like you only look at issues one sided and take what is reported as the truth of the bible. if someone was too tell you that Mein Kampf was the holy gospel you would jump up and down and swear by it. Its a shame that we have people like you working for any of us. Its okay because when the heat builds up you will disappear off the blogs again and onluy re appear when the dust settles. I thought the conviction of thompsaon left you speechless?
D Statler on November 19 at 7:33 a.m.
LOL @ valleyman, I did write that didn’t I (oops). I am guessing Otto doesn’t care right now if I wrote he was shot or beaten to death. I am curious how you fit in with Rustin Olsen and the crew? Could you be the one telling these out of control shooters and beaters to divorce and transfer assets for $1 ? Maybe the one moving crime scene evidence ? Your corrupt game is quickly coming to the end of the board. Changes in effect and leadership changes in the works will help root out decay in our forces. Soon the city and county will make you pay your own legal battles also.There won’t be enough money after the huge settlements paid out in the near future to continue covering up for a bad LEO. Insurance companies will drop the County like a hot potato after a few huge payouts. Accountablility will and should be shifted back where it belongs. To the idiots making the mistakes and doing the crimes, not the taxpayers. Thanks for your input,however one sided it may be. It lets us all know there is still a mess in the forces to be fixed.
D Statler on November 19 at 7:42 a.m.
@ valleyman, If I were an expert.I would not have mixed up the beating for a shooting. You fellas would go to jail for sure if I was an expert. Just imagine brianrbreen with kahonees the size of a brahma bull :^) Happy Holidays to you and your family
Lewis on November 19 at 9:17 a.m.
valleyman you failed to answer my question while you were judging other posts care to answer the question? That donut looks mighty tasty?
Ron_the_Cop on November 19 at 12:59 p.m.
See my comments re Sheriff Knezovich’s offer in this email I sent to Mayor-elect Dave Condon:
Ron_the_Cop on November 19 at 1:27 p.m.
As an aside the Creach family filed their federal civil rights case against Sheriff Knezovich and Deputy Hirzel yesterday in federal district court:
Scott Creach family files federal civil rights case against Spokane Co Sheriff Knezovich and Deputy Hirzel - http://tinyurl.com/73p3m8s
I attached the complaint to this post.
liveinfearoftheSPD on November 19 at 8:09 p.m.
@ Ron_the_Cop
Thanks for sharing.
Lewis on November 19 at 10:59 p.m.
lets all pray the Creach family nails Sheriff Knezovich and Deputy Hirzel ass to the wall.