EVERETT – Two Snohomish County sheriff’s office employees are running for sheriff in 2007.
Chief Thomas Greene, 54, announced Tuesday that he is running for the department’s top job.
Sgt. Robert Beidler, 38, filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission a couple weeks ago.
The position will be vacant in 2008. Term limits prevent Sheriff Rick Bart from running again.
Beidler, who leads the office’s motorcycle unit, has been with the sheriff’s office for nearly 13 years. Before becoming a deputy, he was an officer with the Snohomish Police Department for two years.
“I’m the type of leader that the citizens of Snohomish County and the department need,” said Beidler, who is an assistant commander for the sheriff’s SWAT unit.
Beidler wants to focus on public service while being responsive to sheriff’s office employees. He also wants to foster partnerships with the community.
“We all need to tackle law enforcement together,” Beidler said.
Greene started his law enforcement career in 1972 with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He moved to Snohomish County, where he became a deputy in 1982.
Greene worked his way through the ranks and currently serves as bureau chief for the sheriff’s administrative services, which oversees the department’s budget, contracts for law enforcement, fleet management and personnel.
“I feel like I’ve got the experience base and credentials and I’m the best choice for voters,” said Greene, a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Greene wants to focus the department’s resources on programs with the best results. One example, he said, was the possibility of expanding directed patrol units, which target the criminals committing the majority of crimes.
“We need to make the best of what we have,” he said.
He also wants to improve communication in the sheriff’s office and emphasize public service and leadership in the department.
Both men said they filed early to get their message out to the voters.
Bart said he wouldn’t endorse any candidate until after the primary election.
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