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Sheriff will seek fifth term in office
Sheriff Rick Layher will be seeking his fifth term as the top law enforcement officer in Elmore County this year.
He is being challenged in the Republican primary this May by former deputy Greg Berry.
Layher, who became sheriff in 1986 when when he was appointed to the post after the sheriff at the time retired, was first elected to office in 1988. He wasn't challenged for office until 2000 when former city detective Rick Checketts ran against him.
Layher noted that "we've done a lot of good things in this department.
"We've recognized our shortcomings, and worked to improve them," he contended, noting, for example, the creation of the ICARE program that helps crime victims make sure their rights are protected in cases.
He began his career in law enforcement while in the Air Force as a volunteer for the Elmore County Sheriff's Department and the Mountain Home Police Department, doing undercover narcotics work and riding with the patrol officers. In 1976 he was hired by Sheriff Earl Winters and Sheriff-elect Robert Mendiola as a road deputy, a position he held until 1980 when he was promoted to detective. In 1985 he was promoted to Chief Deputy. He has 30 years of service in law enforcemet in Elmore county, a career that began as a dream when he was in high school. "I knew I was going to be a cop," he said. "I've always wanted to help people."
While working for the sheriff's department he attended night classes and received two degrees -- a Bachelor's Degree in Social Psychology and an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice administration.
"I also was fortunate to be able to attend the FBI national Academy in Quanico, Va., and have attended numerous training sessions sponsored by the Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy in Idaho. I have earned the Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Executive certifications from the Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy," he noted, adding that he also is a member of the Idaho Sheriff's Association (he's a past president and been a board member for 8 years), and has been involved with numerous committees within the organization.
"Over the years I have hired people as we needed them and had the funding for," he said. "I have sought grant funding for most of the new positions.
"As the county has grown over the years we have added positions such as another Mountain Deputy position to help cover the Pine/Featherville area and concentrate more patrols in the Prairie and Atlanta areas.
"We have added a Marine Deputy to handle the increase in recreational activities on Anderson Ranch Dam, Strike, Dam and the Snake River.
"We hired a Narcotics Officer and started the first Narcotics Task Force in Elmore County, which expanded to the first drug dog and a cooperative task force with the Mountain Home City Police. We also added a Community Policing Officer, which is emphasizing partnerships with the citizens of the county to help fight crime and drug violations. We also hired another major crimes detective to keep up with the growing crime rate," he said.
"I am most particularly proud of the working Partnership we entered into with Glenns Ferry to provide Law Enforcement service.
"The partnership's goal is to work towards a better and crime-free community. I have high expectations of Elmore County's end of this partnership and am working hard to meet our goal.
"We have also just started a program called ICARE (Investigating Complaints and Responding Effectively). This program is designed to keep victims informed of progress regarding their case. It will also assist in ensuring complete investigation follow-up of their case.
"We are also working on another grant to help fund another narcotics position concerning drug use and manufacturing in Elmore County with special emphasis in rural Elmore County."
And, he said, "we have recently restructured over Division Supervisor responsibilities to ensure cooperative efforts with other divisions, ensuring effective and speedy service to the citizens.
"We are continuing to change and improve as the county grows.
"It is an honor to serve as your sheriff and I would like to continue. I will continue providing fair and honest law enforcement, be receptive to the citizens' concerns, equal administration of the law, be compassionate, firm and fair and continue efforts towards a more community oriented law enforcement.
"People deserve good law enforcement and it needs to be compassionate."