Legislation lets sheriff off the hook

Sheriff attends two-week session instead of 16-week training course

By Shannon Wells

The Gresham Outlook, Jun 16, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (5 Reader comments)

Sheriff Bob Skipper

File photo / The Outlook

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Thanks to the Oregon Legislature, Bob Skipper may be a free man this summer.

Or at least the Multnomah County sheriff will be free to concentrate on his numerous job duties – and possibly squeeze in a vacation – rather than running laps and taking notes in Salem for 16 weeks.

Two senators and two representatives added a clause to Senate Bill 344, which passed the Senate on Monday morning, June 15. It effectively exempts Skipper from a 16-week basic training program designed to bring his law enforcement skills up to speed.

The provision of the bill, which awaits Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s signature, will “sunset,” or expire, in six months, thus not likely applying to another sheriff.

The bill insert came as an 11th-hour reprieve for Skipper, 70, who unsuccessfully appealed the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training’s requirement for the course, which would begin June 22. A state statute required that Skipper participate because he had been inactive in law enforcement for several years beyond the five-year limit.

Skipper, who started in the sheriff’s office in 1960 and served as sheriff from 1989 to 1994, argued that a two-week “refresher” course was more appropriate for him. The Multnomah County sheriff’s duties are administrative in nature, he noted, while his skills and physical fitness remain intact.

Skipper was re-elected last year after stepping in when former Sheriff Bernie Giusto resigned.

Before Senate Bill 344 passed, Skipper had, through the courtesy of public safety department officials, already started the two-week Police Officer Career Development course in Salem. He was alongside law enforcement officials including Gresham Police Chief Craig Junginger and Troutdale Police Chief Scott Anderson, both of whom had left and recently re-entered their law-enforcement roles.

In a call to The Outlook after his Monday training session, Skipper expressed appreciation and relief for the exception that will allow him to concentrate strictly on sheriff’s duties this summer.

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