Jackson County, Ore.- Jackson County Commissioners will use a community panel to help choose a new sheriff.
Sheriff Corey Falls left two years into his four year term after accepting a job in Gresham. He cited discrimination and harassment as some of the reasons he chose to seek a new position.
Six people are now vying to fill the vacant position. Commissioners decided Tuesday they will tap District Attorney Beth Heckert, Judge Joe Charter, former Medford Police Chief Tim George, Amanda Sighn Bans of the Racial Equity Coalition, Mark Orndoff of Health and Human Services and former county budget committee member Shayne Maxwell to help find the perfect candidate.
Captain Nate Sickler, who is currently acting Sheriff, and one of the six candidates, said the panel is a good move.
“They have been getting a lot of input it sounds like from the community itself and they have a lot of people interested in providing input into this process,” said Sickler.
The community panel could meet to discuss the candidates as early as Thursday. Once they review the applications, they’ll give their top three recommendations to commissioners. Commissioners will then interview those candidates and make a final decision.
You can read each of the candidates applications here.
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