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King County Sheriff Reichert offers lessons from experience to SCC

On Oct. 14, King County Sheriff Dave Reichert spoke at SCC, engaging the audience with his sense of humor and stories of past encounters with criminals.

Walking up and down the aisles, the sheriff said the most important change he wants to make is the relationship with the community. He spoke of community policing and forming a partnership and trust between the two.

“We can’t do it ourselves, we need to build a team with each other,” he said.

He said to be aware of what is happening in one’s neighborhood, look out for one another and know that police are there to serve and protect the people.

Later in his speech, he discussed the improvements of equipment and technology, compared to the 1970s when he first became a cop. They didn’t have portable radios, 911 or air-conditioning in their vehicles. They wore bullet-proof vests that weighed 6.5 pounds.

“By the way, I’m not wearing my vest today,” he said, pounding his chest as the hard knocks echoed throughout the theater. “These are rock-hard abs!”

Laughter filled the auditorium.

Reichert went on to describe a scenario early in his career where he responded to domestic violence call. When he arrived on scene, a woman was being held with a knife to her throat by her screaming husband. Different ways of taking control of the situation ran through Reichert’s mind. He continued talking to the suspect until backup arrived. The woman struggled and finally got loose. Next thing Reichert knew, he was battling the crazed man for his own life. After he was slashed at several times, backup finally arrived and the man threatened to kill himself.

After being spat at and cut, Reichert now had to save this man. Finally the man was detained and later was charged with first-degree assault, pleaded insanity and was found not guilty.

The point the sheriff was trying to make is that police have to deal with tough decisions all the time, and sometimes people misunderstand what police officers do.

A student from the criminal justice class here at SCC asked the sheriff why he remained a cop after facing circumstances and seeing horrible things.

“Having a supportive wife and family, personally a strong Christian faith as my security, and knowing that when it’s my time, it’s my time,” he said.

Other questions asked by the students were: “What classes would you suggest for those of us trying to get into your line of work, and what qualifications are you looking for?”

The sheriff suggested other than criminal justice to take business and public relations, and to place oneself in different roles of leadership.

“People want leaders to make decisions,” he said.

He also said that education of any kind helps in the long run, because it shows dedication and hard work. Education will prepare for the tests one will have to take.

Reichert finished by saying, “You can do anything you want. It took me six times before I passed my sergeants’ tests. Just be patient, and don’t ever let anybody tell you, ‘You can’t do [something],’ because you can.”