WALLACE — Earlier this month, the Shoshone County commissioners approved a request from Sheriff Shawn Wehr to create a one-year pilot program allowing county deputies who live outside the county to take their patrol vehicles home. 

During the brief meeting, Wehr explained that his idea aligns with other departments across North Idaho that allow officers and deputies to take patrol vehicles home. 

"It kind of falls in line with general law enforcement principles for a smaller agency," Wehr said. 

Under current county policy, only deputies residing inside Shoshone County may take their vehicles home. 

Wehr pointed out that deputies living in remote parts of the county, such as Avery or Calder, are allowed to take vehicles home, while a deputy living in parts of Cataldo or Rose Lake would not be eligible. 

Commissioner Jeff Zimmerman said Wehr's point made sense and noted that the county's hiring struggles leave them with few other options. 

"There's nothing we can do about it because we've had to reach outside of our county for employment," Zimmerman said. 

Wehr cited faster response times and the ability to respond to county emergencies as reasons for his request. He also noted some potential cost savings, including that deputies commuting from Kootenai County can purchase fuel at a much cheaper rate there than they can in Shoshone County. 

For the five deputies who live outside the county, Wehr estimates the one-year pilot program will cost between $10,000 and $28,000, depending on fuel prices. Those estimates also cover vehicle maintenance, tires and routine wear and tear. 

"It's going to be an analysis of, within this year, how much bang for our buck did we get off of call-outs and emergency scenarios," Wehr said. 

The take-home vehicle policy was a point of contention between the commissioners and the sheriff's office under previous administrations. Wehr said he was unaware of how those past discussions went, took full accountability for the program and explained that he can fund it within his current budget. 

"I don't believe there is anything wrong with elected officials revisiting an issue, given a new presentation and additional information, from a new administration," Wehr said. "I am ultimately responsible to provide the best possible law enforcement service and safety for our citizens with the limited resources I have. 

"I also must do this while being responsible and accountable to the taxpayers. I appreciate the commissioners siding with me to give this a fair evaluation." 

Much like the sheriff, Zimmerman and Commissioner Dave Dose acknowledged that the board had pushed back on the issue in the past. However, they said Wehr made compelling points in favor of the trial, and he promised to end the program if it proves too expensive. 

"This has come before the board before, and there was some hesitation at the time," Zimmerman said. "I appreciate the new sheriff's approach of trying a one-year pilot program to determine the actual costs before making any long-term decisions. Real numbers will help us determine whether this makes sense for the county before committing to anything permanent." 

"I'm trusting the sheriff with this one," Dose said. "He thinks it's a good idea to try, so I'm willing to experiment to see if it costs a lot of money or saves a lot of money."