Spokane County Commissioners approve resolution supporting law enforcement, Spokane Valley to do the same Tuesday

The Spokane County Commission passed a resolution Monday supporting the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office in an effort to boost morale for sheriff’s deputies and highlight the training deputies undergo .

The resolution, forwarded to commissioners by the sheriff’s office, noted the county’s support of law enforcement. Commissioners themselves also noted the training law enforcement undergo and the mental health co-response teams which include a mental health care worker and sheriff’s deputy, that now respond to some mental health calls. County Commissioner Al French said the resolution shows that commissioners “appreciate the work the Sheriff’s Office does.”

The resolution follows protests in Spokane and across the nation against police brutality and racial inequities in policing. County CEO Gerry Gemmill, who brought the resolution forward on the sheriff’s office’s behalf, said it is meant to keep morale up during a difficult climate.

The Spokane Valley City Council will vote on a similar resolution Tuesday night during the council’s 6 p.m. meeting at the request of Councilman Rod Higgins. The City Council also plans to swear in Spokane Valley’s new police chief, Undersheriff Dave Ellis, a former Post Falls police officer who currently oversees the sheriff’s office’s water, aviation and investigative units. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement to unincorporated Spokane County and has a public safety contract to provide public safety services for Spokane Valley.

Spokane Valley City Council meetings can be attended via Zoom, streamed online or viewed on cable channel 14. Spokane County Commission meetings can currently only be attended via phone by calling a number posted on their weekly agenda.