Chelan County Sheriff's Deputy Tyler seeks to oust her boss

Chelan County Sheriff's Deputy Jennifer Tyler launched a last minute effort to oust current Sheriff Brian Burnett by staging a write-in campaign in the primary election. To make it to the November general election, she had to get at least 1 percent of the total votes, but she managed to receive more than 4 percent.

NCW Media Managing Editor Gary Bégin interviewed Tyler to see why she was running and learn more about the candidate and her goals.

NCW Media: Why are you running for Chelan County Sheriff?

Jennifer Tyler: The initial reason for filing was for one person to know I appreciated their support. After a record 620 write-ins were received, I realized that it is clear, the citizens of Chelan County want a change. I want to be that change.

NCW Media: Your opponent is well known and you are not. How will you overcome that obstacle?

Tyler: I disagree that I am not well known. I have served Chelan County citizens as a patrol Deputy for over 12 years. I have served on the night shifts of Chelan County with due diligence. My civil action against the Sheriff has also made headlines throughout the state. It is not very common that an employee takes on her boss in such an aggressive manner as I did with the jury trial in Douglas County earlier this year. It is also rare to have such a successful outcome.  

NCW Media: What law enforcement experience do you have?

Tyler: It’s the only profession I have known since I was 19 years old. I have over 23 years as a public servant to my community. There is no element of the profession that I haven’t done and I’ve done it well.

NCW Media: Will you be making reforms to the CCSO if elected?

Tyler: Yes I believe that each new administration brings their own philosophies to the table. These will come from my own work ethics which include being willing to listen to others, and not make decisions based on my own personal preferences. My priorities are etched around fairness, lawfulness, and public service.

NCW Media: What especially do you want to change or fix?

Tyler:  Clearly, there is an issue with CCSO upholding employment law within the work place. The Civil Rights Act was implemented in 1964.  There should be no misunderstanding what it should mean to have equal protection under the law. Our current administration has been found guilty by a jury of violating that law. And, is on track to defend their employment actions in a second civil litigation trial in federal court brought by another employee. The cost of these civil law violations to the Chelan County taxpayers is astronomical. It is paramount that someone put a stop to these injustices. I know how to make that happen by simply following the law.

NCW Media: You have won a suit against the male dominated agency, do you think it will be held against you if you win?

Tyler: To me winning the Sheriff seat is the only option I have left in hopes of being treated as an equal.  

NCW Media: Are there special programs you plan to install such as diversity or gender training?

Tyler: Currently there are only 3 women on a 50 commission force. I do, however, believe how we should look at the hiring practices of the department and how we recruit qualified applicants. I believe an elected female Sheriff will attract those minority candidates because they know they will be treated fairly.

NCW Media: We have a 30 percent Hispanic population. Are you planing anything to reach that demographic from the law enforcement point of view?

Tyler: It’s funny you ask because I was already considering running for Sheriff in four years, and have already started to learn Spanish. I believe it’s important for me to speak to all people I serve. If elected, that ideology will continue and training will be paramount as I see an immense need in the law enforcement realm in both safety and service to the Hispanic community. Aside from the language barrier, growing up in a diverse home myself, I know the different cultures require different approaches.

NCW Media: Are drugs the biggest problem in Chelan County?

Tyler: I recently attended a woman’s Republican dinner in Wenatchee.  This same question was asked of Sheriff Burnett.  He stated that opioid addiction was our number one problem. However, we currently have no adequate interdiction enforcement in place to combat the flow of large amounts of narcotics being smuggled into Chelan County. This is a topic I can speak about all day as there is no family who is untouched by this horrific epidemic.  

NCW Media: Tell the readers about yourself.

Tyler: I consider myself to be pretty simple. By simple I mean treat others the way you want to be treated. Do for someone else before you do for yourself. To me those things should be second nature for someone who wears a badge on their chest and a flag on their sleeve who took an oath to Chelan County to uphold the law, protect our neighbors, and serve with fairness. Who I am as an individual disappears when I put on my uniform.  Being dubbed the People’s Candidate is a title in which I feel most honored to have. I hope and pray to become the People’s Sheriff on November 6th.