[1]Lewis County Sheriff’s Enforcement Team poses for photo – left to right, Deputy Tim English, Deputy Jeff Godbey, Sgt. Dan Riordan, Deputy Rick Van Wyck , K9 Axel – with Sheriff Rob Snaza and Undersheriff Wes Rethwill. / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Sheriff’s Office
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza has completed a five-day executive development program with the National Sheriff’s Institute in Aurora, Colorado.
Snaza, a Napavine area Republican, was elected in November following about two decades with the sheriff’s office.
He was among 27 sheriff’s from across the country to participate early this month in training on the challenges facing American sheriff’s today, according to a news release from the National Sheriffs’ Association.
[2]Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza
“In light of those challenges, the sheriffs explored the role of the local sheriff in providing effective leadership for the public good in such areas as public safety, criminal justice system policy, community relations, and organization effectiveness and efficiency,” Hilary Burgess, NSA manager of training, stated.
The National Sheriffs’ Association is a professional association representing the nearly 3,100 elected sheriffs across the country. The program was also co-sponsored by the National Institute of Corrections, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons.
Snaza has said among his priorities are rooting out career criminals, continuing to run a no-frills jail and partnering with schools.
In mid-September, he announced the formation of a team to assess and work on problem areas and issues within the county.
The Sheriff’s Enforcement Team, or SET team, consists of a sergeant, three deputies and a K-9.
“If we have a rash of vehicle prowls in a particular neighborhood or identify a burglary trend in one area of the county, SET will be called in,” Snaza stated. “The team will also work DUI emphasis, warrant sweeps, drug investigations, or anything else that we feel helps us better meet our mission.”