Shoshone County Candidate Profile: Chris Rice (R) Sheriff

Full Name:  Robert Chris Rice 

Age: 53 

Political Affiliation:  Republican 

Office Sought:  Sheriff 

Family  

Grandparents Bob and Phyllis Rice owned Nabob Mine, in Pinecreek; Bert and Doris Fetter worked at Hecla and Morrow’s; Mother, Gleniece ran Wallace Washington Water Power; Father Mike Rice, quarry owner; third-generation Silver Valley. 

Education  

A.A.S. degree in Law Enforcement; achieved an intermediate P.O.S.T Certificate; 1,320 hours of P.OS.T. certification hours including but not limited to: Interview and Interrogation, Drug Endangered Children, Tactical Team Operations, Gangs, Crash Investigation, School Safety and Security, And many others.  

Professional and Civic Experience

I have spent approximately 15 years in business management from supervising and leading teams as small as 10 people to the complete responsibility of running an entire business(s) of 70 or more. The only civic experience I have is being a member of the Kellogg Planning and Zoning Committee for approximately 2 years  

Top Priorities  

My top five priorities if elected are culture, retention, recruitment, financial responsibility, and competitive wages. First, I will focus on improving department morale to stop the loss of deputies. Second, I will analyze why employees leave, address those issues directly, and develop solutions for the future. Third, I will implement a steady recruitment plan to restore staffing to manageable levels and reduce overtime. Fourth, I will evaluate spending, ensure funds are used appropriately, and implement policies to lower operational costs. Finally, I will identify funding sources to provide deputies with wages comparable to agencies of similar size and stature. 

Decision-Making and Fiscal Responsibility

Decision-making will follow structured logic, with input sought when appropriate. Final decisions will serve the county and the Sheriff’s Office. With a strong Undersheriff managing operations, fiscal responsibility will be a priority, requiring a detailed review of expenses to reduce or eliminate unnecessary costs. 

Community Representation and Accountability

With strong leadership and a capable Undersheriff overseeing daily operations, the Sheriff must prioritize collaboration. This includes regular meetings with the chiefs of the county’s three other departments and building strong working relationships with neighboring county and state agencies. Equally important is engaging with the cities within the county by attending and participating in city council meetings. I believe the Sheriff should be the most accessible representative of the Sheriff’s Office. Consistent engagement with the public, business owners, and elected officials is essential to success. Accountability is fundamental—when failures occur, the Sheriff must take responsibility on behalf of the office.