Hutcheson To Run For Sheriff

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s police chief, Keith Hutcheson has announced his campaign to run for Kootenai County Sheriff according the Coeur d’Alene Press .  His current contract with the tribe will end in early October.

Hutcheson has been the tribe’s chief for the past six years and previously worked for the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department for eight years, including as the senior K-9 handler.  With the tribe, Hutcheson said he has built a department that had one computer and no records and processing systems to one that has laptops in patrol cars and is on the brink of implementing e-ticketing.  Among many changes,  Hutcheson implemented a foot patrol program. He now oversees 17 full-time employees and four reserves.

Hutcheson, 43, has lived in Post Falls since 1996 and continues to train law enforcement dogs. He has served as a Kootenai County Fire and Rescue commissioner since 2002.  Prior to his previous stint at the KCSD, Hutcheson was a Benewah County deputy and served in the fire service. He has won several awards and holds multiple certificates in emergency response.  KCSD Maj. Ben Wolfinger earlier announced he’ll seek the sheriff’s job.  Read the full article here .  SR Photo.