COEUR d’ALENE — Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris has revoked the special deputy privileges of Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White, Capt. Dave Hagar and Rathdrum Police Chief Dan Haley, according to public records obtained by The Press. 

White alleges Norris revoked their privileges because of their involvement in the investigation into Norris’ actions during the chaotic Feb. 22 legislative town hall, where the sheriff tried to pull a woman from her seat and then directed security personnel to remove her from the Coeur d’Alene High School auditorium. 

“It sounds like the sheriff did this because apparently he was mad that he was listed as a suspect in the town hall report, even though that’s not factual at all,” White told The Press Wednesday night. 

Though Norris is mentioned in police reports on the town hall, he is not listed as a suspect. In November, following an investigation, the Idaho Attorney General’s Office declined to file battery charges against Norris for his actions at the town hall. 

Norris did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday night, nor did Undersheriff Brett Nelson. 

In Idaho, peace officers only have policing power within their political subdivisions, with some exceptions. For example, a Post Falls police officer may generally only conduct law enforcement activities within city limits, except in cases such as violent crime and hot pursuit or when responding to a call for assistance from another agency. 

County sheriffs are empowered by law to cross-deputize peace officers from other agencies, granting them authority to operate throughout the county. 

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office has hundreds of special deputies or special deputy advisers. Many are members of city police departments in the county and other area law enforcement agencies. 

In October, Dan Haley was sworn in as the new chief of the Rathdrum Police Department. Before that, he was a detective in the Coeur d’Alene Police Department and led the investigation into the town hall incident. 

Reached by phone Wednesday night, Haley said he doesn’t know why Norris revoked his special deputy privileges. He declined to comment further because he’s expected to testify next week in the criminal trial of Paul Trouette, one of the town hall security personnel who was charged with battery and false imprisonment. 

“I want to protect the integrity of that trial,” he said. 

Norris revoked the status of the three officers in a letter dated Dec. 8, which White said he received Wednesday. The letter contained no explanation for the revocation and required the officers to turn in their ID cards to the sheriff’s office by Dec. 19. 

“It sounds like Sheriff Norris threw a temper tantrum,” White said. 

White said Norris’ decision, if not rolled back, is likely to impact the Kootenai County Joint Agency SWAT team. The team handles about 12 calls per year and is comprised of 14 Coeur d’Alene officers and seven sheriff’s deputies. 

“In short, it would be inappropriate for us to cede complete control of our SWAT officers to the sheriff’s department without oversight or supervision from our leaders,” White wrote in a Wednesday morning email to city staff. 

The dissolution of the joint SWAT team would not impact Coeur d’Alene residents, White said, but county residents would notice the difference, as the team mostly responds to incidents outside city limits. 

“This would impact the citizens of the county greatly,” he said. 

Coeur d’Alene City Councilor Christie Wood, who retired as a sergeant from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department after 26 years of service, expressed dismay at the sheriff’s actions. 

“It’s very disappointing that a sheriff would use a personal grudge to affect so many citizens’ lives,” she said. 

Wood said many officers find themselves having to investigate a colleague at some point in their careers. 

“It’s never something you want to have to do, but our duty is to follow the law,” she said. “I don’t know if there’s some expectation on Bob’s part that he would be above the law, but he really ought to thank the professionals who investigated the case and handed it over to the attorney general.” 

White said he hopes the agencies can come to an agreement. 

“It really doesn’t impact me, personally, too much,” he said. “I’m retiring in 30 days. But the impact to the officers and the citizens might be felt for some time. I’m just hoping the sheriff calms down.” 

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