2010 Election
Smith notes leadership, experience at sheriff's office

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

Justin Smith, one of three candidates seeking the position of sheriff in this November's election, said his leadership experience sets him apart from his opponents. He is currently on the command staff at the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.

Since first employed by the sheriff's office in 1991, Smith has risen in the ranks from patrol deputy to major and has commanded three of the four department divisions. He has a total of 23 years' experience in law enforcement, including 19 with the local sheriff's office.

Running on the Republican ticket, Smith, 42, moved recently from Estes Park to Fort Collins.

Smith said there would be some changes in leadership if he becomes the next sheriff, but he has not yet offered command jobs to anyone. Outgoing sheriff Jim Alderden has expressed interest in continuing to work in the sheriff's office, Smith acknowledged, but he has not made any commitments.

Smith contended that his leadership style "has a lot to do with working with other people and bringing people together." That approach, he said, would lead to better cooperation with the county commissioners, local police and the court system. Alderden has sometimes had contentious dealings with the commissioners, especially around budget issues.

Smith pointed out that candidate Dell Bean has not worked for a public law enforcement agency for more than 20 years, and candidate Jay Harrison's top post in the sheriff's office has been corporal.

Endorsed by Alderden, Smith claimed that his style and philosophy would be different from that of his predecessor. "I am more deliberative and would want more input from staff," he said. "It's the professor in me," he added, to want more information before making a decision. Smith is an adjunct professor at Colorado State University, where he teaches about correctional organizations.

Smith changed his position recently about providing names of concealed weapons permit holders to the state database. Previously he supported providing those names, as Alderden does, but he said he had a "change of heart." Smith now favors keeping a list locally but not sending names to the state, to better protect citizens' constitutional rights.

All candidates agree that a shrinking budget will be the biggest challenge facing the next sheriff. Smith noted that the sheriff's office is preparing two budgets, one with a 1 percent reduction and the second, in case Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 pass, with a 5 percent reduction.

He said that under the first scenario, no line staff positions would be cut, but the mental health program at the jail would be significantly cut back. If the ballot issues pass, he said, "there will be reductions at all levels of the agency," including investigations.

The current 0.2 percent jail sales tax that partially funds jail operations will expire in 2014, and Smith said it might be necessary to ask voters to extend the tax unless county commissioners can come up with other financing options. The county needs a permanent funding source for the jail, he stated.

Smith said that he would like more emphasis on changes in inmates' behaviors during time spent in the county jail. Programs are important to achieve such change, he noted, but they need to be evidence-based.

Smith's opponents in the race have criticized what they term over-zealous writing of speeding tickets by the sheriff's department. Smith defended the practice as a legitimate part of a full-service agency that provides safety in the community. However, he would favor a more outcome-based approach, with agencies working together to identify traffic problem areas and to make roads safer.

He has not declared either personal or business bankruptcy.