The Northern Light asked Whatcom County sheriff candidates why they are running for the position, a four-year term, in the November 7 general election. The candidates provided written responses to the questions.
Donnell Tanskley
Donnell Tanksley has worked as Blaine Police Chief for four years. Before that, he worked as chief of police at Portland State University and assistant chief of police at Western Washington University. He also has served as lieutenant at St. Louis Police Department, and in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force. He earned his master’s in management from Fontbonne University in St. Louis.
Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you accomplish those?
A: Here's what I will do: Expand mental health training for deputies, recruit and train staff so we have safer neighborhoods with faster response times, and increase emergency preparation so we are ready for what comes our way. I’ll increase the focus on getting dangerous drugs out of our community and combating drug trafficking. Also to consider is the vote for a new jail and services. If it passes, I’ll work with county officials and others to craft a plan. If it fails, I’ll pull the community together to hear from people about their considerations. Either way, the current administration has allowed the jail to deteriorate and fail to have a proper maintenance plan.
Q: As sheriff, how would you ensure the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office takes a proactive approach to support the behavioral health needs in the community?
A: One of my top priorities if elected is to expand mental health training for law enforcement. Rather than getting the minimum hours of mental health training, deputies should get a 40-hour crisis intervention certification. This training teaches you how to de-escalate, and how to interact with different people in the community who might be experiencing trauma. We must also create effective co-response teams with behavioral health professionals. These teams comprise mental health experts who accompany officers during specific crisis-related calls, ensuring compassionate and suitable responses. Finally, we must have direct community input on hiring decisions.
Q: What solutions as sheriff would you propose to ease public safety concerns in Whatcom County?
A: As Whatcom County’s next sheriff, I’ll improve public trust and accountability. I will reduce crime through quick, fair and impartial law enforcement; modernize the sheriff’s office, including our data systems; work with our community to reduce homelessness with compassion; push for more treatment for drug and alcohol use and mental health disorders; lead on building a safe, modern community justice center; and expand mental health training for law enforcement. I will prioritize policing initiatives to strengthen the bond between law enforcement and the neighborhoods we serve, fostering a sense of partnership and cooperation.
Doug Chadwick
Doug Chadwick currently is undersheriff of Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, where he has spent 30 years working a variety of positions including chief deputy for the Bureau of Law Enforcement and Investigative Services and lieutenant of patrol operations. Raised in Whatcom County, Chadwick earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Western Washington University and enhanced his credentials through the FBI National Academy and FBI Command Institute.
Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you accomplish those?
A: 1. Together we’ll reduce crime and increase the safety and security of all who live and visit here. We’ll use proactive professional policing, plus prevention and intervention strategies, to identify and deter criminal activity.
2. Together we’ll design and build a modern corrections facility that meets the needs of corrections staff, offenders and the community. This includes providing in-house behavioral health services for those suffering from mental health and substance use disorders.
3. Together we’ll devote resources to reduce the amount of dangerous drugs, such as fentanyl, coming into our community.
Q: As sheriff, how would you ensure the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office takes a proactive approach to support the behavioral health needs in the community?
A; I will enhance programs and strategies that focus on assisting people in crisis. This includes the current behavioral health deputy and co-responder programs, which partner a behavioral health specialist with a deputy to provide crisis services to people where they are.
I’ll work with the health department and corrections medical staff to provide 24/7 medical, mental health and substance use disorder services within the main jail and work center.
I’ll request funding from county council and the legislature to support navigators to assist those being released from jail with temporary housing and connections to treatment and other service providers.
Q: What solutions as sheriff would you propose to ease public safety concerns in Whatcom County?
A: I’ll continue to place a strong emphasis on training. In addition to mandated violence de-escalation and mental health training, the sheriff’s office regularly trains deputies in defensive tactics, force response, use of nonlethal alternatives/equipment and emergency first aid/CPR.
To recruit and retain professional peace officers, Whatcom County must be competitive in the regional market.
I’ll advocate for competitive wages, benefits and safe working conditions for sheriff’s office employees.
Fentanyl and the proliferation of dangerous drugs contributes to rising crime and the tragic loss of loved ones from fatal overdoses.
I’ll aggressively target those who profit from the sale of dangerous drugs to the most vulnerable in our communities.
This article was updated October 26 to list the candidates in the order that they appear on ballots.
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