My name is Tim Neher and I am announcing that I am running for Sheriff of Klickitat County in the 2022 election cycle. I have worked for the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office since January of 2010. I spent 10 years working as a patrol deputy, about 18 months as a detective, and for the last 7 months as the Undersheriff for the Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to my duties as a patrol deputy I have served on the Sheriff’s Office marine patrol, as a field training officer, and for approximately six years was the Sheriff’s Office reserve coordinator. While working as a detective I was the Sheriff’s Office major crimes detective, sex crimes detective, and narcotics detective. As the Undersheriff, I manage the patrol division, civil division, and I work with the jail superintendent, handling the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office 49-bed jail facility. I assist with the Sheriff’s Office Posse program. Currently I supervise approximately 40 full and part time employees, as well as approximately 145 volunteers.
I am a graduate of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy, Basic Collision Investigations, Field Training Officer Academy, and Crisis Intervention Team Training. I also completed the Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement Course and am a graduate of the Basic Marine Law Enforcement Training through the Washington State Parks Department.
In 2019 I received a lifesaving award from the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office for saving the life of an inmate in the Klickitat County jail.
I served in the Washington State Army National Guard and attended basic training and military police school with the 795th Military Police Brigade at Ft. McClellan, Alabama. I was assigned to the 81st Infantry Battalion out of Seattle, Washington.
Since October 2016, I have been a volunteer Firefighter with the City of Goldendale Fire Department. During my time with the Fire Department I was assigned as a Lieutenant and Captain supervising other Firefighters.
I have completed the National Fire Protection Agency’s Essentials of Firefighting and Fire Department Operations (NFPA 1001) and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Firefighter Training. I also completed the International Association of Arson Investigators fire investigation course and I am a member of the Washington State Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators.
I have an Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice. I made the Dean’s List and graduated Suma Cum Laude and am a lifetime member of the Phi Theta Cappa honor society.
Prior to my law enforcement career with the Sheriff’s Office, I worked in the corporate world in various supervisory and management positions. I have been responsible for hiring, firing, and career development of employees and have attended numerous management related training programs.
I married my wife Casey (a native of Klickitat County) in 2014, and we have three sons together, “Colin, Ethan, and Austin”.
As we look to the future of the Sheriff’s Office, we will have many challenges to overcome. Over half of the deputies with the Sheriff’s Office are able to retire, the law enforcement field is becoming more challenging, and Klickitat County is growing in population.
As deputies with the Sheriff’s Office retire, I will work hard to hire the most qualified deputies that represent our county and our community. Training and career development will be the focus for the entire Sheriff’s Office. A better trained and developed Sheriff’s Office will be better for our entire county.
Many changes have come to the law enforcement field and I will work hard to ensure we follow those changes. Over the last number of years, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has gained attention among law enforcement officers. PTSD in law enforcement leads to job dissatisfaction, disciplinary issues, and potential use of force issues. I will start the process of addressing possible PTSD issues in the Sheriff’s Office.
As Klickitat County grows, calls for service go up with the increase in population. The Sheriff’s Office is seeing a rise in property crimes such as burglaries, car prowls, and thefts. I will work to develop a crime prevention program for Klickitat County. A long term goal of mine has always been to develop a property crimes detective to be able to dedicate one person who can focus on property crimes.
Currently I am working on a number of projects that I will continue as Sheriff. I am spending more time working in the west end of the Sheriff’s Office. I am in the process of setting up an office in the West End Sheriff’s Office. I also plan to spend more time on patrol assisting with and responding to calls in the community.
As time has allowed, I have attended a number of community councils in our county. I plan to be involved with more of the councils. I have been involved with the Sheriff’s Posse Program and intend to guide the program as a rural crime prevention program. I also intend to encourage neighborhood watch programs.
Finally, Sheriff Songer and I have been talking with a number of citizens in our county about a need for an animal shelter. We recognize the need for a shelter to house and care for animals. I will continue to work with groups to find a way to bring an animal shelter to Klickitat County.
I am a member of the Klickitat County Republican Party, Goldendale Firefighters Association, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, the Washington State Narcotics Investigators Association and I am a “Paid for Life” member of the American Legion.
If you elect me Sheriff of Klickitat County, I will never forget that I work for YOU.
Respectfully, Tim Neher
PS: To contact Tim Neher please call (509)250-1360, or email at [email protected].