STANWOOD CAMANO NEWS: Election 2022: Sheriff candidates in second fight for seat

Izzie Lund profiles the candidates:

The two Republicans who battled over the Island County Sheriff’s seat in 2018 are back for a rematch.

Incumbent Rick Felici said his experience in the role will allow him to build on the progress he has built over the past four years. Challenger Lane Campbell, a patrol deputy in the department, thinks the office is stagnant and wants to see change.

They Said It

Rick Felici

“I think we’ve accomplished a lot,” Felici said. “We’ve added opioid workers to work in conjunction with our patrol staff to help people interested in treatment find some options. Mental health outreach that works in a similar fashion. We’ve added body cameras; we’ve added training, especially in de-escalation use of force control tactics.”

“A lot of times, the big roadblock is a lack of facilities available for treatment facilities and bed space for people,” Felici said. “(We need to work) with the regional, legislative level to create more opportunities for people to take advantage of. Also, working locally with our service providers out there as far as the situation with mental health.” 

“I believe that a combination of enforcement, education and treatment is the most effective way to address these issues,” Felici said. “We have to take advantage of all of the resources we have available. It’s not just a law enforcement problem.”

“For me, it boils down to a combination of training, experience and perspective,” Felici said. “I think that if people do their research, they look at qualifications before they make their choice for sheriff… I think I stand out as the best candidate in this race.”

Lane Campbell

“We are going to continue using county resources through human services, but we are going out and above that — people available 24/7 versus the kind of banking hours we have now, the 9 to 5,” he said. “Have people actually come onto the scene, help these people sort out their issues and look more toward long-term solutions. ‘Here’s some medication, make sure you stay on it and periodically, we will check on you.’” 

“We honestly think that, between the county services and other services we’re looking at, that we’re going to have a pretty dynamite setup for helping the homelessness and the drug addiction and obviously the mental health,” he said. “We’re looking at the hand-up approach versus the handout approach.” 

“Most law enforcement agencies in Washington state have at least one K-9 unit,” Campbell said. “I have done research and talked with other agencies about the cost, training and how to run a K-9 program. Any program must start with conversations and communication. Otherwise it will not happen.” 

“I’ve seen what works, and I’ve seen what doesn’t,” he said. “I’m the guy that’s out here every day dealing with big issues that are public-facing, and I’m coming up with solutions every day.”