2020-02-11 Sheriff UpdateSheriff’s Update
February 11, 2020
10:03 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Sheriff Snaza,
Undersheriff Wes Rethwill, Chief Chris Sweet, Chief Dusty Breen, Chief Bruce Kimsey, Budget Services
Manager Becky Butler
Guests: Frank Corbin, Colton Dodgson
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Chief Dusty Breen provided an update on the Special Services Bureau:
• At full staffing with newly filled vacancy.
• Civil and records are steady as ever.
• Firearms work (background checks) continues to climb.
• Team has been involved in investigations into two officer-involved shootings.
• Bomb suspect was taken into custody.
• Detectives have been involved in investigations into two work-related fatalities: one at the
windfarm and another at a logging site.
• Detectives helped work on a burglary-robbery-kidnapping case.
Chief Chris Sweet provided an update on the Corrections bureau:
• Three new employees have been hired. Corrections is fully staffed but anticipates two vacancies
soon.
• Legal team has approved procurement for the purchase of an intake body scanner.
• Facilities has begun providing much-appreciated project updates.
Chief Bruce Kimsey provided an update on the Field Operations bureau:
• New employee has started and a deputy may be exiting.
• In-service training is taking place over four weeks.
• March 12 is leadership training.
Undersheriff Rethwill discussed the recent Safety City event. He said Cowlitz County plans to emulate
the program.
Sheriff Snaza provided updates on:
• I-940: which involves investigations into officer-involved shootings. He said his team developed
a how-to guide for creating a citizens’ review team.
• I-1639: He said firearms training discussions continue. He also discussed the need to protect the
2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
Chief Breen discussed a violation of secure arms.
Sheriff Snaza discussed upcoming events, including trainings, contract negotiations, etc.
Sheriff Snaza said Centralia PD abruptly withdrew from the regional SWAT Team the previous week. He
stressed that the county still has a SWAT Team and that the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team will
continue.
Sheriff Snaza discussed the need for a jail transport van. He estimated the cost at $70,000. He asked the
commissioners to allow him to work with Budget Services Manager Becky Butler and County Manager
Erik Martin to move toward procurement.
Sheriff Snaza said the Dodge Charger is not available, so the county may look at purchasing the Dodge
Durango instead. He said the Sheriff’s Office needs six vehicles and that AWD is preferred.
The commissioners directed staff to look into the van further.
Meeting adjourned at 11:03 a.m.