Undersheriff says professional staff will help heal personnel problems

Peninsula News Network

1/9/06

Clallam County, WA - New Clallam County Undersheriff Rich Sill says most of his work so far this week has been getting acquainted with the men and women in the Sheriff’s Department, a first step before taking on specific assignments as Sheriff Joe Martin’s second-in-command.

The retired police chief from Chino, California stepped into the high-profile position this week after Martin asked him to come aboard and help with the administration of the department. The step marked the first time in 15-years than an outsider has been named to an administrative role in the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department, with Martin looking to find some fresh perspective after personnel scandals that have rocked the operation in recent months.

Sill says he hasn’t been given specific assignments in his new role as yet, but has been spending most of his time learning about the department’s inner workings. Sill comes to the new post just two years after he had been in the running for appointment to the job of sheriff following Joe Hawe’s resignation in 2003. Commissioners ultimately appointed Martin, who subsequently won election to the remainder of Hawe’s term.

Sill believes Martin is working to resolve the personnel problems that have grabbed headlines in recent weeks, and believes the professionalism of the deputies and other employees will make a difference in moving beyond the recent difficulties.

Sill has already said he has no plans to run for sheriff later this year. Martin, and County Commissioner Mike Chapman have both indicated they’ll be campaigning for the job.