Richie Skiles

I was born in Moscow and have lived in Latah County most of my life. In 1985, I married Teri, my high school sweetheart. I joined the United States Marine Corps in 1989 and proudly served as a Fire Team Leader in the Security Forces guarding our nations special weapons. We welcomed our son, Sam, in 1996. I also joined the Latah County Sheriff's Office in 1996 where I was a member of the Tactical Team, a Community Policing Officer and a School Resource Officer. I was privileged to be the Police Chief for the City of Troy for over 3 years prior to being elected in 2016 to the position of Sheriff for Latah County where I proudly continue to serve today. In 2017, our son married and his beautiful wife, Jory, was added to our family. Sam also serves in law enforcement and Jory is a BSN RN. My wife and I have attended Faith Church in Onaway for over 20 years where I volunteer as their treasurer, and serve as an elder and board member. Being your Sheriff is an honor and privilege. With your vote in the November general election, I will humbly continue to serve you as Latah County Sheriff to the best of my abilities.

Candidate Questions

List your top issues you are promoting as part of your campaign

1. As your current Sheriff, I created an Internet Crimes Against Children position within the Sheriff’s Office and filled that position with one of our own deputies. It’s unfortunate that there is such a need to help combat these horrific crimes committed against our children. I will continue to strongly advocate for this position along with the training and resources needed to help protect the safety of our children.
2. I also created the position of a full time School Resource Officer for the schools throughout Latah County. During my career with the Latah County Sheriff’s Office, I had the opportunity to work as a School Resource Officer and understand first hand the value of the relationships created with our kids. Our children are our future and I believe the School Resource Officer enforces their value within our communities while the Deputy works to protect and promote them. I will continue to advocate for this position along with the training and resources needed for it to be successful.

What are your priorities to build/maintain an effective team within the sheriff’s office?

Since being elected as your Sheriff in 2016, I have made it a priority to hire within our department whenever possible. This in itself encourages strong work ethics and unity within the Sheriff’s Office.

We have also created in-house training instructors which utilizes the strengths our deputies already possess. It also encourages their involvement and helps build future leaders and trainers within the Sheriff’s Office.

I’ve also worked hard to improve the working environment for the Sheriffs office by updating our equipment and training with utilizing grants whenever possible and spending your hard working tax dollars wisely. This helps to ensure not only the safety of the Sheriff’s deputies & employees, but also the citizens of Latah County while not wasting the tax dollars allotted to the Sheriff’s Office budget.

Additional resources and updated equipment have also been provided to our Search And Rescue team to assist them to be more effective in their searches and work throughout Latah County.

When I became your Sheriff in 2016 our office was not fully staffed and that caused undue hardship. We, as a team, worked hard to fill the needed gaps with the right people and have even been able to recruit lateral employees from other areas. In having a fully staffed Sheriff’s Office, we are able to be more efficient and present within the communities of Latah County.

Describe one way to improve the budget for the office.

As we all know, the budget is based on your tax dollars. Along with my leadership team at the Sheriff’s Office, I am always looking for ways to save money within the Sheriff!s Office annual budget. Not only will you see me managing and overseeing the office and it’s daily functions, but you will also see me actively working patrol, backing up deputies, and working many county events throughout the year. Although the Latah County Commissioners ultimately control our wages, I actively work with them to prudently advocate for our deputies pay, benefits, proper equipment, safe vehicles & continual training within the parameters set forth. The Latah County Commissioners have and continue to support the Sheriff’s Office as much as they can and I appreciate the strong working relationship we have with them. I will continue to work to ensure your tax dollar that is invested into the Sheriff’s Department, is wisely allocated to protect and serve the citizens of Latah County.

Provide one example of a process or function of the office that you will improve.

My goal is to continue to improve the overall efficiency of the Sheriff’s office so that we can continue to better serve you. One of the most recent ways we have done this is in partnering with the Idaho Transportation Department and their SWET grants to implement upgraded computers in our vehicles. Most recently we worked with the Department of Justice to acquire a state of the art digital evidence system to include new body cameras and car cameras.

What do you see as the greatest needs of the sheriff’s office today to carry out its functions? And how will you bring leadership to address these needs?

1. As we all know, Fentanyl usage and distribution is on the rise. It is being trafficked through our beautiful Latah County, constantly. I believe we need the best training and tools available to us to help combat this deadly substance. I have been advocating for a drug dog with our Latah County Commissioners for several years now, but because of our tight budget, have not been able to fulfill this need. Until this goal comes to fruition, you will see the Sheriff’s office continue to train deputies and fight for the safety of our citizens and children against this drug.
2. I will continue to work towards the goal of having our own drug dog with the Latah County Sheriff’s office. In the meantime, we have established positive working relationships with other local departments that will bring their drug dogs to our traffic stops or other situations where serious drugs are suspected.

What experience do you bring to the role as Sheriff?

Along with my USMC military training in Security Forces, serving a Latah County Deputy and the city of Troy Chief of Police, I have also continued my training and involvement to improve as your Sheriff. Below are my achievements since being elected in 2016:

• Idaho Executive Certificate - Dec. 2023
• Management Certificate - June 2023
• Mills Adler Award for Outstanding County Elected Official - Sept. 2022
• University of Idaho Hometown Hero Award for outstanding leadership, courage & sacrifice for our local community & country - Sept. 2019
• Presented with the Quilt of Valor - Sept. 2019
• Spirit of Idaho Award presented by Senator Mike Crapo - Sept. 2019
• Idaho Sheriff's Association Board Member as Secretary, 1st & 2nd Vice President,President, Past President - Dec. 2017 - Dec. 2023

What is your vision for working with other Latah County law enforcement agencies?

As your Sheriff I have re-established a strong working relationship with The Quad Cities Drug Task Force and my goal is to have a Latah County Deputy as an active member on the drug task force.

We have also combined our SWAT team with City of Moscow Police Department and continually train with them. Our working relationship is strong and we support each other in our work and training.

I’ve also established strong working relationships with local dog trainers that will bring their search dogs to assist us in our roles as we search for lost or hurt people.

The Sheriff’s office assists other agencies whenever possible. During the recent murder investigation here in Moscow, we assisted the FBI, Idaho State Patrol and the City of Moscow Police Department with extra patrol, perimeter security and resources to supply a search dog.

Our local law enforcement agencies understand and appreciate the mutual support amongst each other.

Explain your position on First Amendment rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. Do you think these rights have eroded?

As Latah County Sheriff, I took an oath to protect and serve all the people of Latah County within the parameters set forth in the US Constitution and the Idaho State Constitution. Within your rights, the First Amendment, allows you to articulate your position on a matter without interference, retaliation or punishment from the government.

What is your perspective on race or sex-based politics?

As Latah County Sheriff, I took an oath to protect and serve all the people of Latah County within the parameters set for in the US Constitution and the Idaho State Constitution. You elected me to be Sheriff for all the people of Latah County and I do my best to perform my duties without politics being involved but with compassion and resolve to do the right things for the right reasons for all citizens of Latah County.

What are your thoughts on local impacts resulting from illegal immigration?

Fentanyl usage and distribution is on the rise within our beloved home and the open borders have not helped this problem. I do believe we will see drug trafficking and the crimes that come along with it rise. My goal is to inhibit this negative growth throughout Latah County by protecting its border to the best of the Sheriff’s office abilities.

Describe your policy position on taxation, spending, and budgeting relative to state or local government?

As your Sheriff, our office works hard to ensure your tax dollars that are allocated to us, are being transparently and responsibly used to best serve you.

Describe two difficult interactions you have experienced and how you contributed to a resolution?

As Sheriff, I receive calls, emails and direct visits with sensitive and difficult situations on a regular basis. I believe one of my best tools is the words I use. I try to listen carefully, respond tactfully and act with the purpose, integrity and dignity.

In February of 2022, the Latah County Sheriff’s Office responded to a welfare check request for a Bovill resident. When the responding deputy and the reporting party went to the residents home to check on his welfare, they were met with a firearm being pointed at them. I, along with deputies from the Latah County Sheriff’s Office, the Latah County Regional SWAT team, the Idaho State Police SWAT team, Idaho Fish & Game, the Deary Ambulance team and the Bovill Fire department responded to the scene. I directed the children at the nearby Bovill Elementary School to be transported to Deary for their safety. I also directed residents in nearby homes to evacuate until the potential threat was neutralized. We attempted to have the potentially suicidal resident peacefully come out from his home throughout the day and into the night with calls and texts. After his refusal, his home was gassed so that law enforcement could safely enter the home. The resident was still holding his weapon when law enforcement found him. He was safely transported to Gritman Medical Center and evaluated. Thankfully the situation was safely resolved with a huge coordinated effort.

In April 2017, an 54 year old escapee from a nearby Idaho Sheriff’s Office was located and recaptured in a barn near Juliaetta Idaho by a coordinated Law Enforcement effort. The inmate had been in custody on nine charges, including burglary and unlawful possession of a firearm. The Latah County Sheriff’s Office along with law enforcement from 3 other counties, the Idaho State Patrol and the U.S. Forest Service coordinated their efforts to capture the escaped inmate without incident.

Do you subscribe to the Idaho Republican Party Platform? Describe any exceptions.

Yes, under the confounds of the Idaho Constitution and U.S. Constitution.

The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” How will this declaration influence you in administering your office, if elected?

As Latah County Sheriff, I took an oath to protect and serve all the people of Latah County within the parameters set for in the US Constitution and the Idaho State Constitution. I will continue to pray over the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office in their sworn duties and service to the citizens of our great county. I wouldn’t be who I am without my faith in God. I pray that the words and actions I display as I perform the duties of Sheriff make a positive impact within the Sheriff’s Office.