Ada County Commission Outlines Process for Selecting A New Sheriff
This follows unexpected resignation of former Ada County Sheriff Steve Bartlett
The Ada County Board of Commissioners is awaiting the selection of three candidates made by the Ada County Republican Party to fill the position of Ada County Sheriff. Former Sheriff Steve Bartlett unexpectedly announced his resignation on Memorial Day after eighteen years of service, including five and a half years as Sheriff. On June 1, 2021 the Board accepted Bartlett’s official resignation effective June 8, 2021.
Pursuant to Idaho law Chief Deputy Scott Johnson will be acting Sheriff until the Board appoints someone to fill the position. Former Sheriff Bartlett ran as a Republican and won re-election in November 2020. According to Idaho Code three potential candidates will be presented for consideration to the Board by the Ada County Republican Party.
“While the entire Board was surprised by Steve’s unexpected announcement on Memorial Day, we have a duty to fulfill our constitutional obligations by selecting the strongest, and most qualified candidate submitted by the Republican Central Committee,” said Ada County Commission Board Chair Rod Beck.
The Board itself has not submitted for consideration any candidates to the Ada County Republican Committee. Interested parties can reach out to the committee directly if they wish to be considered.
Once the Republican Central Committee provides three candidates for consideration the Board will have fifteen days in which to make a selection. It takes at least two commissioners for a selection to be made.
“We look forward to selecting a candidate with a strong criminal justice background,” said Ada County Commissioner Ryan Davidson. “We hope to choose an individual with a commitment to civil rights and community policing, and we are confident we will have an excellent group of candidates from which to choose.”
“We are committed to selecting a person with strong law enforcement credentials who will lead Idaho’s largest local law enforcement agency with integrity and professionalism,” said Ada County Commissioner Kendra Kenyon.