COEUR d'ALENE - Sheriff Ben Wolfinger changed the name.

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Department has officially become the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office.

The switch was quietly made Feb. 5.

Lt. Stu Miller, the sheriff's office spokesman, said the cost will be minimal.

"We changed the letterhead, but had to anyway since we changed sheriffs," Miller said Monday. "Everything else will be re-branded as it's replaced from wear or new purchases, like badges and vehicle logos."

So why make the change?

"There is a national effort between sheriffs, along with a statewide effort, to return back to the 'Office of the Sheriff,'" Miller said.

According to the National Sheriffs' Association, "The Office of Sheriff is not simply another 'department' of county government."

The use of the term "department" implies being a subordinate unit of government, the association said.

"The use of the term 'office' implies inherent powers and independent sovereignty," it said.

Wolfinger was out of the office and unavailable for comment, Miller said.