Cascade County Sheriff’s Office

Welcome everyone, I called you here to day because Cascade County is facing a crisis in government. Is the elected Office of Sheriff, an office sworn to protect the public, who is qualified, trained, and experienced, going to manage that duty or are the County Commissioners?

This County Commission has signed contracts, increased wages, negotiated labor agreements, implemented policy and procedures that obligates costs for this Office and severely impacts our ability to prepare for, respond to, mitigate effects and deal with the aftermath of the emergencies WE handle!.  And then failed to fund those same obligations, Casting the responsibility of a budget to me, that they constantly interfere with.

My budget has been approximately $9.2 million for the last 3 years, while they have obligated over $2 million in wage increases alone for this Office the last 4 years including a pay raise for themselves at the sacrifice of public safety now.

To meet the budget they have set for this Office, I will be losing three 3 deputies, one animal control officer and 12 twelve detention officers.  As a direct result of the loss in deputy’s,  I must suspend our 20 member deputy reserve force.  We are currently reviewing more crisis response plans for Law enforcement, the Coroner Office, and Detention facility.

I firmly believe in this only elected Office of law enforcement and the most effective form of government responsive to the people.  Therefore I have scheduled the first of several meetings open to the public here at there Office November 12th , starting at 6:30pm.  The importance of this office being transparent and open to discussion and input from the public is critical and the fundamental duty of government.

Sheriff David L. Castle