The Marion County Board of Commissioners would like to announce the seven candidates who have applied to replace Sheriff Joe Kast. All applicants have submitted the required documentation and certification from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) that they fulfill the statutory office requirements and minimum law enforcement standards for the position.
Applicants include:
Christopher Baldridge, Director of Safety and Risk Management Services, Salem Keizer Public Schools
T. Shane Burnham, Lieutenant – Enforcement Division Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Nicholas Hunter, Lieutenant – Enforcement Division Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Chad Jones, Deputy Sheriff – Enforcement Division Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Chris Kennedy, Deputy Sheriff – Enforcement Division Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Donald E. Parise, Sergeant – Operations Division Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Stacy Rejaian, Deputy Sheriff – Enforcement Division Marion County Sheriff’s Office
The commissioners will interview the seven candidates who applied to fill the upcoming sheriff vacancy on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Senator Hearing Room at Courthouse Square located at 555 Court St. NE, in Salem. Capital Community Media will broadcast the interviews live on their YouTube channel. Following the interview process, the board plans to deliberate and select a replacement that afternoon. The new sheriff will be officially sworn in on June 30, 2023.
Sheriff Joe Kast announced his retirement effective June 30, 2023. When a vacancy occurs in a county elected office, the Marion County Board of Commissioners appoints a replacement who will hold office until a new sheriff is chosen in the next general election.
Minimum qualifications, pursuant to ORS 204.016 and 206.015, include: being a citizen of the United States; an elector of Oregon and resident of Marion County; at least 21 years old; having a minimum of four years of experience as a full-time law enforcement officer OR at least two years of experience as a full-time law enforcement officer and at least two years of formal, post-high school education; no felony convictions, or convictions for any other crimes that would prevent certification as a law enforcement officer in the State of Oregon. Applicants must be certified by DPSST.
If you wish to submit a written comment, please email SheriffPublicComment@co.marion.or.us. Public comments will be accepted through Friday, June 2, 2023, at 5pm.
For more information about the appointment process, please contact the Marion County Board of Commissioners Office at (503) 588-5212 or e-mail Chad Ball at cball@co.marion.or.us.