New Year, New Sheriff for Chelan County
And confirmation that CCSO equipment was used at Grace City Church's 'Project ManCard' weekend
New Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison and other newly-elected county officials took their oath of office on Thursday, Dec. 30, at the foot of the steps inside the Chelan County Courthouse before a crowd of more than 50. While his first official day on the job is Jan. 1, 2023, Morrison said after his swearing-in that he was already acting as county sheriff.
He also said he thinks it will take at least six months to get the agency, as well as employee morale, to a better place. Morrison already laid out his priorities as Chelan County Sheriff in a previous interview, and it’s not hard to see why bringing back a strong sense of professionalism and unity among the deputies in the department is important to the new sheriff.
Former Sheriff Brian Burnett had some parting messages for Morrison’s supporters within the department, which he gave them in the form of Christmas cards. On most cards, he wrote, “Congratulations.”
But the message on one deputy’s card was more ominous.
“NOWHERE TO HIDE IN 2023!” read Burnett's message scrawled on the Christmas card.
The deputy said he was unclear on what that message meant. He said he sent it to the county human resources department but doubts the county will be able to do anything now that Burnett is out of office.
Before he left office, Burnett also confirmed that Chelan County Sheriff’s Office equipment was used during Grace City Church’s inaugural “Project ManCard” rite of passage weekend in December.
After I wrote about the rite of passage weekend, a few folks with ties to the sheriff’s office tipped me off that some of the equipment being used by the boys and their instructors in the video was county property.
So I reached out to Sheriff Burnett on Dec. 14 and asked him about that.
“Hi Sheriff Burnett,
I was curious if the equipment in these photos (helmets, DT suit, 50. cal rifle) is CCSO gear?
“If so, who gave permission for it to be used for GCC's rite of passage weekend earlier this month?
What is the process for use of CCSO equipment? Can other churches or organizations get that stuff to use for their events as well?” I wrote.
Burnett responded on Dec. 21, and answered my questions:
“Dominick,
I needed to do some follow-up so hence the delay.
50 Cal Rifle – No CCSO doesn’t own any .50 cal firearms so this would have to be a private citizens.
Helmets are CCSO and assigned to the East Cascades SWAT team leader, Brian Lewis and Assistant Team Leader Brent Frank.
Padded Fight Suit also is CCSO property.
Permission to use the equipment was authorized by Chief of Special Operations Chris Foreman and yes other organizations, including churches, can request to use things but wouldn’t be allowed to just borrow, all equipment would have to be supervised by the employee responsible for that equipment. In this instance, both Lewis and Frank were assigned to help with an event during dark hours and utilized their Night NODS since they get limited exposure in training with them. (Employees would be responsible for damages)
A great example for other organizations and churches requesting equipment would be the following. Just last Halloween, I participated in a trunk or treat event sponsored by the North Shore Bible Church in Manson where I participated with my county vehicle. Also on site were staff and equipment (fire trucks) from Manson Fire Department and also the Lake Chelan Ambulance. We also participate in many different parades in and around the county, utilizing multiple types of vehicles and equipment, even helicopters.
I’ve personally used my radar gun in my patrol vehicle many years ago when I was coaching little league baseball for a pitching clinic at Morris Park in Wenatchee. All of these are great events in the aspect of PR within our communities.
I hope this helps answer any questions you may have.”
Looking Forward to Following the Money in 2023
While much of my focus was directed at the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office in 2022 that’s because that agency has been one of the most influenced by and intertwined with Grace City Church, and it was an election year.