Klickitat County Democrats Sheriff Forum 5.2.22 with Garique Clifford

On the evening of 5.2.22 the Klickitat County Democrats hosted a Sheriff Forum with candidate for Klickitat County Sheriff, Garique Clifford. The video has been slightly edited to remove gaps and silence, but no questions or answers were removed. The following questions were asked:

3:40
Tell us about yourself

8:55
The Sheriff's office has the biggest budget at $4 million dollars and one of the largest staff of all the county departments. What do you feel are the most important leadership skills the Sheriff must have for this job and why?

11:24
What are the key issues currently effecting the Sheriff's office and how do you plan to address these issues?

15:30
The Sheriff's position is a non-partisan position. We want law enforcement to do their jobs and not play politics. How do you plan to stay neutral and serve all the residents of Klickitat County?

19:39
The Washington State Constitution says that "The Sheriff is the CEO and conservator of the peace of the county." Local elected officials and Health Department staff experienced real threats, personally and to their families. A Black Lives Matter mural was vandalized on private property and women, children and students were intimidated at peaceful BLM rallies. How will you, as Sheriff, protect our communities from extremist activity that threatens our right to free speech and peaceable assembly?

22:20
A cardinal rule of the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment is that government must not take any action that communicates an endorsement of religion. Instead, it must maintain governmental neutrality between religion and non-religion. Violating the Establishment Clause has been an issue in Klickitat County Sheriff's office. How will you ensure the separation of church and state in your role as Sheriff?

24:30
What is your position on ghost guns, assault rifles, purchase requirements and 2nd Amendment sanctuary counties? There were three gun related laws that were passed by the Washington State legislature this past session. 1. The state law prohibits the sale of gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. It will not be lawful for citizens to be in possession of these magazines. 2. This law expands the definition of untraceable firearms and by 2023 will ban the possession, transport or receipt of homemade guns or firearm components that lack proper serial numbers. 3. This law prohibits open-carry of weapons at public meetings, city councils, school board meetings and local government buildings including election facilities. All weapons, including concealed pistols will be forbidden. How will you enforce these laws?

33:11
This question is around Constitutional Sheriff's and was the topic of most of our audience submitted questions. Are you a member of the Constitutional Sheriff's and Peace Officer's Association (CSPOA) and if so, would you enforce all state mandated laws? Or are those up for personal interpretation of the Constitution? Our audience question is: "If elected, will you pledge not to joain the CSPOA?

35:40
The Klickitat County Sheriff Office Posse, a self-described community policing program, started as 15 members and was originally a citizen's neighborhood watch group, now has over 151 members, including some members that don't even live in our county. There's concern over the Sheriff's ability to manage a small army of untrained, inexperienced citizens carrying their own firearms and working in a quasi-law enforcement capacity. There's also concern over the lack of transparency of the posse. If you are elected Sheriff, do you plan to continue the posse program? If yes, how do you plan to manage the posse and how will you minimize liability to the county? How will you ensure the posse represents all of the citizens of Klickitat County, including those of different political persuasions, gender, religion, people of color etc.? How will you ensure applicants will be protected from disqualification and/or discrimination?

41:25
The current wildlife protocol in place in Klickitat County established by Sheriff Songer has resulted in 28 cougars killed in approximately 2 years and according to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife this is significantly more than should be responsibly harvested. Additionally, only 5 were actually reported to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Do you plan to follow this program? What role do you think the Sheriff and Posse should play in controlling the bear, cougar and wildlife populations in the county? Do you plan to work in partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife?

45:30
The US Constitution uses the term "People" or "Person", rather than "Citizen" to identify people's constitutional rights in this country. These rights apply to everyone regardless of whether they are or are not a citizen. What is your position regarding undocumented residents and ICE.

47:20
Our Health Department received verbal abuse and undue pressure during the pandemic. The pandemic is not over and other variants are on the horizon as Europe and Asia are currently getting hit hard. How do you plan to handle this global crisis on a local level and to help support and coordinate with our Health Department?

50:20
There has been a precedent set in this county that the Sheriff has politicized polarizing TV interviews, establishes controversial policies & proclamations, personalized road signs, partisan trainings, religious gatherings in uniform etc. Do you plan to follow this lead? What will your leadership as Sheriff look and sound like?