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By Drew Lawson
The Record-Times 

Candidate for Sheriff: Jeff Barden

 

Last updated 7/1/2022 at 11:10am

DEER MEADOWS-Jeff Barden may be an "outsider" compared to many of the other candidates running for Sheriff, but the Deer Park native who is moving here full-time at the end of the year regardless of election outcome feels that's just what's needed in the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office right now.

Barden is running for Sheriff after considering a push for the position for a decade. The current King County Sheriff's Office sergeant said new blood at LCSO coupled with his experience in law enforcement can help ease reported dysfunction within the organization.

"If folks feel more comfortable because...someone is from there already, I don't know what to say to that," Barden said. "You can't help but to look at the concerns of Lincoln County in general and specifically issues with the Sheriff's Office that have been ongoing for quite some time and see the individuals, with the exception of one or myself, that at one time or are currently part of the problem. I don't know how you can resolve or make change for the better both as an agency and to the community when you've been a part of that problem for so long."

Barden said deputy retention is important, as is hiring new deputies. He said he would try to attract lateral hires over new hires if possible as a cost-saving measure that would bring law enforcement experience without academy training to Lincoln County.

"Laterals can be very beneficial, but there's those that are looking for a change, and those that are running for something," Barden said. "You want those that are looking for a change, not running from their previous agency. But, in that same sense, you're not talking about all those start-up costs in the beginning."

Barden admitted that LCSO is short-staffed, but expressed concern that local law enforcement isn't getting involved in communities and working within municipalities enough. He said that responsibility includes the sheriff, undersheriff and the patrolling deputy force.

"There's been some concerns about equality as far as service within the entire county," Barden said. "The change that I would probably make...I'm not seeing enough movement around the entire county. I'm a big proponent of personnel, including myself, going into these communities and actually making contact with people."

The longtime lawman said the issue of municipalities contracting with the Sheriff's Office or maintaining their own police force doesn't contain a "one size fits all" solution, but noted that a city having its own police department is an expensive venture.

"I think if the cities wanted to have their own agencies, that...needs to be open for discussion," Barden said. "You would have to look at what those cities' current budget restraints are...it is an expensive venture to have your own police department, and the most expensive bit of that is not equipment, but it's personnel."

Barden is running against Gabe Gants, Brian Telford, Adam Johnson and Andy Manke for the Sheriff job.

Bio

Position sought: Sheriff

Age: 53

Hometown: Deer Park

Current city of residence: Deer Meadows

Family: Married with one adult child

Relevant experience: 28 years with King County Sheriff's Office, Fire and EMS in Sacramento County

Author Bio

Drew Lawson, Editor

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Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.

 

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