SANDPOINT — Evan “Chip” Roos has something none of the other candidates running for Bonner County sheriff possess — 12 years of experience in the post.

“I’ve been at this for a very long time and I do have an easy-to-see track record,” said Roos, who’s seeking the Republican nomination for sheriff in the May 27 primary.

Roos is competing with Rocky Jordan, Geoff Rusho, incumbent Elaine Savage and Daryl Wheeler for the GOP nod. Larry Hanna is the presumptive nominee on the Democrat ticket, following the withdrawal of Tony Lamanna.

Roos, 59, was first elected sheriff in 1988 and re-elected in 1992 and 1996. He opted not to seek re-election in 2000, a race which went to Phil Jarvis.

So why would Roos give up a quiet life in the private sector and become a human dart board that is the Bonner County sheriff?

“Well, I’m used to it,” said Roos.

Roos was inspired to run upon watching the department veer off course in the years since he left office. The department’s K-9 unit and reserve program have atrophied, said Roos, who considers such programs essential.

Roos was also dismayed by the bitter split between the department and Bonner County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Inc., a private group which was excommunicated after its members clashed with Jarvis.

“The divorce with search and rescue is something I find really distressing,” said Roos. “I find it a shame because that was the community face to the sheriff’s office in a lot of ways.”

Roos pledges to restore the relationship with the banished search-and-rescue group if he’s re-elected to office. He said the group began as a small, ragtag group of ground pounders and evolved into sizable force with a tremendous amount of knowledge, skill and equipment.

The department’s reserve program has also withered, according to Roos. The program was good for attracting people to the job while screening out those who can’t or won’t cut it.

“It was a good way to hire people or at least as a way to have somebody who is interested in law enforcement looked over,” he said.

Sheriff’s races tend to be hard-fought affairs and Roos expects this year’s to be no different. He’s already hearing sniping about his divorces and rumors that he’s been hitting the bottle.

Roos does not dispute his marital record but dismisses the drinking allegation as malignantly distilled election season swill.

Roos supports the need for a new juvenile detention facility, but questions its size and that of the proposed work release center. He further believes the public, not a judge, should decide whether the county proceeds with the plans.

On the matter of deputy training, Roos believes funding resources should be applied in a manner that ensures there will always be highly trained deputies to share their knowledge as colleagues retire.

“It’s really important to lay out this training to have a long-term plan for rollover,” he said.

? More information about Roos and his candidacy can be found on the Web (www.chiproos.com).