Two candidates want Democrats' slot in sheriff's race

By Dan MacArthur
North Forty News

Two Democrats seeking the nomination for county sheriff will face each other in the August primary election as a result of delegate votes cast at the party assembly in March. Both have experience with the Larimer County Sheriff's Department.

One of them will face a Republican challenger in November to take over the position Jim Alderden will vacate after 12 years. Alderden is term limited.

Jay Harrison

Jay Harrison said he's running for sheriff to restore the fading "honor and integrity" he's witnessed since joining the department 15 years ago.

"I see a lack of accountability within the sheriff's office, as well as a lack of responsible leadership. I'm running to change these problems," he stated.

Harrison did not return a phone call seeking elaboration on how his contention is manifested.

Through his experience as a deputy, Harrison asserted, "I know what issues face the sheriff's office and our community. I know what needs to be fixed. We need to return to the grass roots of law enforcement, which is public safety and serving the public."

"I will make the sheriffs' office a part of our community again," Harrison continued. "Under my leadership, we will earn back your trust and confidence."

Harrison maintained that the sheriff's department needs to make a greater effort to be part of the community.

"Deputies need to get out of our cars and visit with the people we serve," he said. "We need to get to know our neighborhoods and businesses. The people of Larimer County need to know who their deputies are."

In keeping with that belief, Harrison pledged to be a "working sheriff' in a uniform and marked patrol car.

"You will see me on the street, in your neighborhoods, schools and around your businesses," he stated on his web site. "I will be fair, just and compassionate, while being tough on crime. I will be preventative not reactive. I will continually search for and implement programs that will reduce crime, educate and rehabilitate offenders."

As with other contenders, Harrison said he supports Second Amendment gun rights and continued issuance of concealed weapons permits. While he also supports preserving the privacy of those permit holders, he said he believes the list should be available to police officers to instantaneously verify the validity of the permits.

A native of northern Colorado, Harrison worked as a police officer in Lyons and Nederland and as a sheriff's deputy in Routt County before coming to Larimer County as a deputy.

As part of his duties, Harrison is a field-training officer, SWAT team member and canine instructor and handler. Privately, he owns a small business importing dogs from around the world. He then sells them to military, law enforcement and private security firms, providing training for the dogs and handlers.

Harrison, 47, has lived in Wellington for eight years.

Alan Ohms

Alan Ohms said he will promote fair and equitable treatment of employees and the public and keep his political positions to himself if elected sheriff.

His pledge came in large part from his unhappy experiences leading to his departure from both the sheriff's department and the Republican Party.

A 17-year veteran of the sheriff's department, Ohms was fired in 2002 for numerous serious policy violations following a series of internal investigations. The infractions were detailed in an exhaustive newspaper exposé during Ohms' previous run for sheriff in 2006.

Ohms expressed regrets for his actions but did not dispute the information gleaned from review of his personnel records conducted with his consent. But, he states on his web site, his public humiliation proved an "eye-opening experience, a good inside look at the Republican Party, and a first-hand taste of their malicious political tactics."

Ohms' experience contributed to his party switch and a commitment to reform what he characterized as vindictive and unwarranted firings at the whim of the sheriff.

"I know many other former sheriff's department colleagues who were fired or forced out for trivial reasons, or for no good reason at all," Ohms maintained. "The 'kangaroo court' style of disciplinary hearings imposed on employees over the last 12 years will be a thing of the past."

Instead, Ohms said he would initiate a "fair and objective" internal disciplinary procedure. A citizens review board might also be formed to examine more serious external incidents to "avoid the appearance of police cover-up or corruption."

"I was a moderate Republican, and I will be a moderate Democrat," Ohms said. "Regardless of my personal political and moral views, I will not force my opinions on the sheriff's department employees, nor on the citizens. I believe in open, constructive dialogue to discuss all sides of an issue, and working together to reach a suitable compromise. As sheriff, my duty is to enforce the law, not to impose my opinion of what the law should be."

Ohms said he also would maintain responsible concealed weapons practices, foster cooperation with other law-enforcement agencies, and spend tax dollars responsibly.

Ohms has 25 years of law-enforcement experience. During his tenure with Larimer County, Ohms worked as a patrol deputy, field-training officer, firearms instructor and SWAT team member.

A county resident since 1985, Ohms, 60, lives in unincorporated Larimer County and operates a home-improvement business.