NAME: Steve Strachan
OFFICE SOUGHT: King County Sheriff
TOWN OF RESIDENCE: SeaTac
CURRENT OCCUPATION: King County Sheriff
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Chief of Police, Kent, WA; Chief of Police, Lakeville, MN, Minnesota State House Representative, City Councilmember, Farmington, MN, Administrative Sergeant, Detective, School Resource Officer, SWAT team leader, DARE Officer, Patrol Officer and Jail Deputy.
WEBSITE: http://stevestrachanforsheriff.com
WHAT IS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE FACING VOTERS IN YOUR DISTRICT?
The most pressing issue would be to ensure that this department moves forward with a qualified sheriff, making necessary changes and improvements to the department.
IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS IN OFFICE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?
I've been working on a lot of that already since I’ve been sheriff. I’ve ensured that we have a clear plan to follow.
We’ve made some of those changes we need in training and policy. And we’ll be signing a new labor contact at the end of this year. We’re negotiating this right now for the needs of the Sheriff's Office, in terms of financial sustainability and necessary changes for accountability, which were recommended in our two audits.
DO YOU SUPPORT/OPPOSE REFERENDUM 74: SHOULD GAY MARRIAGE BE LEGAL IN WASHINGTON? BRIEFLY, WHY?
I absolutely support it I already voted for it. Government shouldn't be in the buisness of taking rights away if individuals want
It's not directly related to law enforcement
We’re in the business of governement intrusion and the government should intrude on people’s lives only when it's absolutely necessary.
I am a board member of Kent Youth and Family Services. I was particularly proud to be on the board and make that motion to support R-74. With all the pressures that young people face, sexual orientation, bullying I think that’s very consistent with public safety to support.
DO YOU SUPPORT/OPPOSE, INITIATIVE 502 TO MAKE SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA LEGAL TO PEOPLE 21 AND OLDER? BRIEFLY, WHY?
I do support it and the reason is I’m a former SRO and DARE officer and I think the current status is ambiguous. And confusing and it sends the wrong message to parents and young people. Sending an unabmigous message is the best way to get people to get people to support public safety. So we don’t try to get people to support laws that are misunderstood and confusing.
It’s hard to argue with racial disparities with enforcement of marijuana historically. Going back to when I was the chief in Kent, I have been recommending that we have a conversation about Marijuana so it’s not ambiguous and confusing.
(Ed. Note: An earlier version of this profile stated the Sheriff was "interim", which was correct earlier this year, but Strachan was officially appointed by the King County Council to serve the rest of former Sheriff Sue Rahr's term in April. Mercer Island Patch regrets the error.)
