Sheriff’s primary bares tension between lawmen, jurisdictions

The Spokane County sheriff’s race has some of the strangest twists in local politics this year, all of them tied to the Spokane Valley.

The race will likely be decided in September, solely by the county’s Republicans, because Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and Spokane Valley Police Chief Cal Walker are running in the GOP primary, and the Democrats so far have no candidate. That’s unlikely to change before 5 p.m. Friday, the deadline for candidates to file.

The Valley is one of the most heavily Republican areas of Spokane County, so its voters could be the key to victory through sheer numbers.

Because the city of Spokane Valley gets its police services from the sheriff’s department, the city’s police chief is, by contract, a top-level department officer. That means Walker is running against his boss, who could remove him at any time before the Sept. 19 primary, or after it if Knezovich wins.

At least that’s how Knezovich and county officials see the contract with the Valley for law enforcement services.

Walker and some Spokane Valley officials say that under the contract only City Manager Dave Mercier can remove Walker as police chief. If he wins in September, he would stop being Valley police chief and would give city officials a list of possible replacements, but he could continue to serve as chief if he loses the sheriff’s primary, Walker said.

“There will not be an opening until such time as the city manager creates an opening,” he said.

But the contract also says the city’s police chief must be at least a captain in the sheriff’s department, said County Commission Chairman Todd Mielke. Captains are appointed by the sheriff, and if Walker were to be demoted, he’d no longer be eligible for the job.

Everyone acknowledges that friction has existed since mid-April when commissioners filled the spot vacated by Sheriff Mark Sterk. Walker was Sterk’s preferred choice for his replacement and topped the list of nominees from Republican precinct committee officers. Knezovich was second on the GOP list, but commissioners named him to the spot, citing his better administrative abilities.

“Typically, every new sheriff has been able to clean house, so to speak, and appoint their own (command) staff,” Mielke said. “Ozzie made an attempt not to turn everything upside down, but instead to fine-tune things.”

But when Knezovich told his captains to reapply for their jobs, Walker said there was no opening to apply for in the Valley.

That view is shared by the Valley City Council, whose members say they are happy with the job Walker is doing there, regardless of whom they support for sheriff. Their main concern is having someone who understands their needs and concerns who will represent them when the department is deciding how to spend its money or use its personnel.

The Valley pays the salaries of some patrolmen and the chief but shares resources such as the K-9 unit or detectives. If Valley officers need help, other deputies from outside the city can respond.

“The Spokane Valley police chief is an appointment made by the city manager,” said City Councilman Steve Taylor, who supports Knezovich’s campaign for sheriff. “Nothing was ever addressed in the contract as to what happens when a new sheriff is elected or comes into that position.”

The city is only three years old, and Walker has been the only person to be named chief after being proposed for the slot by Sterk. The city would defend its interpretation of the contract, Taylor said, because “the contract itself is larger than any one person.”

“It’s not really Ozzie’s choice,” said City Councilman Rich Munson. “Under the contract, we will only fire the chief of police for cause. Politics aren’t a cause.”

Munson supports Walker’s bid for the sheriff’s job, although he said he likes Knezovich and gave him some political advice: Don’t create a campaign issue for Walker by firing him.

If Knezovich wins the primary, Munson and others speculate, Walker will likely resign as Valley police chief, and the problem will be solved without a confrontation between the county and the city.

Those familiar with the situation – including Knezovich and Walker – acknowledge there has been tension between them, and attribute it to everything from poor communication to a lack of familiarity with the relationship between the city and county. Most also say that tension seems to ebb and flow but there is less now than previously.

While Walker said he is running hard for sheriff and remains confident of his chances, he has no plans to resign if he loses the Sept. 19 primary. He said he “absolutely” would stay on as chief.

And while Knezovich acknowledges he’s been counseled to leave Walker in place through the primary, he plans to “evaluate the situation” regularly.

“I’ll make a change when I feel it is necessary,” he said. “I won’t make it unless I feel it’s necessary.”