COEUR d'ALENE - Bob Foster is firm on his qualifications for Kootenai County Sheriff.

"I've got lots of credentials, lots of experience," said Foster, currently a code enforcement officer with the Coeur d'Alene Police Department. "And I'm in great shape."

In fact, he has about 40 years of experience.

Born in California and raised in Emmett, Idaho, the Republican has served at departments across California, trained other law enforcers and given lectures on his profession.

And recently Foster, who has lived Kootenai County since 2004, filed candidate papers with the county to run in the 2012 election for sheriff.

"I think I would have a lot to offer to the citizens of the county, and I would have a tremendous amount to offer to the sheriff's department," the 65-year-old said.

Foster's lengthy resume includes serving as chief of police at Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif., from 1995 to 2004, and prior working as chief of police for the city of Willits, Calif., from '87 to '95.

He worked for the Oakland Police Department for 20 years from the late '60s to the late '80s, several of those years as sergeant of police.

In the early '90s, Foster also trained international police monitors in Puerto Rico.

"It was very exciting. I learned a lot from a lot of police supervisors and managers from all different countries," he said.

Foster has also been a guest lecturer at the University of California Berkeley on political and professional issues in law enforcement.

His history would make him an effective leader at the sheriff's department, he said.

"What I'd like to accomplish is to be a part of furthering the professionalism of law enforcement, delivered by whichever agency I'm working with, in this case the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department" said Foster. "I'd like to see what I can offer to enhance its professional image, enhance its capabilities."

If elected, Foster said he would conduct a needs assessment to gauge if changes are necessary in the department.

As for the long-standing issue of overcrowding at the county jail, he would seek information from experts who have addressed similar issues in different areas.

"It's a tough (issue), an age-old one and an expensive one," Foster said. "I would never profess to have all the answers to that issue, but I will profess to the fact that I will seek out and collaborate with those who could be identified as having that experience and were successful at it."

Foster and his wife, Sherry, have two grown children.

He hopes to be of service any way he can, Foster said, adding that he is committed to public safety and to respecting his profession.

"I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to motivate and create some stability and professionalism," Foster said, adding that he isn't faulting the current sheriff's department officials. "I want to do a really good job."