Letter to the Editor: Asher bring Transparency and Community Policing to Sheriff’s Office

— by Steve Johns–

I am a recently retired law enforcement officer with nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience,  preceded by six years of Police Explorer and a Police Cadet prep work. I write this letter of endorsement for Jeff Asher in his candidacy for Sheriff of San Juan County. I do so after reviewing the clear written plan of action Jeff has developed for the Department as well as interviewing and talking with him over the course of his race for office. In addition, I do so without reservation as, in the 6 1/2 years I have known Jeff, I have found him to be an honorable and caring man who has always done what he says he will do.

Transparency and community policing are just some of what Jeff Asher will bring to the San Juan County Sheriffs Office with his over thirty-three years in law enforcement experience. He will lead with professionalism and has already developed a blue print to lead the agency into modern policing with the community.

He will guide and mentor the Deputies and staff to a professional level. He will emphasize family, their own and their law enforcement family, into the organization to bring pride back to the Sheriffs Office. He will treat Department members with dignity,respect and professionalism. He will honor those that serve, and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

He will bring transparency to the organization with community partnerships, networking and programs. His leadership will emphasize true community policing and problem solving at all levels of the organization. He will hold all personnel accountable while being firm but fair; including substantiated citizen complaints and avoidable accidents. Jeff will set the standards high and utilize personnel appropriately for the community and organizational needs. New employees will go thru a vigorous vetting process to include a standardized field training program for all hired sworn personnel. All supervisors will be working in the community to effectively nurture the community partnerships by listening to their needs, responding to calls but also to supervise their personnel.

He will find innovative ways for recruiting including a youth program, reestablishing the Reserve program, and continuing recruitment to find the best qualified personnel for the next generation of Deputies for the County.

He will look for modern, contemporary and relevant training for personnel to bring back in to the agency and community. Personnel will receive live training in Crisis Intervention and work with mental health and chemical dependency organizations to help those persons in need. He will work with the Prosecutors Office and the Judges to establish specialty diversion courts and put an emphasis on treatment before incarceration. He will ensure that the agency meets or exceeds training requirement and laws regulating the organization.

I urge you all to vote with me. You vote for your community when you vote Jeff Asher for Sheriff.