"I do not want your vote for a change...I want your vote to make a difference"            Steve Kendley

Rumors and Tall Tales

I have recently had conversations with people I respect, that have voiced concerns about rumors circulating about my character and my candidacy...

Rumor #1

It has been stated that I am a “racist” and a “white supremacist”

Let me state for the record that I am neither racist nor a white supremacist!

One of the people, who told me this rumor, stated that I am being closely associated with the “Liberty Bell movement” This is a local offshoot of the national Tea Party phenomenon. The fact is that many patriotic citizens will very likely support my primary platform plank of upholding my Oath to protect citizen’s rights and defend the Constitution.
I will not apologize, nor will I back down from this commitment. The foundation of my career as a peace officer is this oath. The Attorney General of Montana administered this Oath to me and upon every officer who graduates from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy.
If I do not take this oath with all the seriousness of my being, then everything I do as a peace officer would be built on the foundation of a lie.
It is a sad commentary on our modern society that the word "Constitution" causes many to think of someone who is radical. It should not be so and indeed it must not be so if America is to survive the coming years. The Constitution is the basis of the protection of our God given rights and we must return to upholding this foundational document, especially those who are entrusted in protecting the peace and rights of citizens.

 I have to ask those who are in law enforcement, or governmental office who find my upholding of this Oath of Office to be radical, to consider if perhaps you need to rethink what you do for a living? I will never sell out the citizen’s rights for a paycheck.

If someone who is racist supports me, I cannot help that. I do not subscribe to that line of thought, and I do not agree with any racial supremacy thinking.

I have repeatedly told citizens at forums that there is no place for racism in the sheriff’s office. I am proud to serve with all the different law enforcement agencies in Lake County.

As the Sniper Team Leader for the Mission Valley Special Response Team, I function both as an entry team member and as a sniper/observer. The Mission Valley Special Response Team is multiracial. I have no doubt that any of us on this team would lay down our life for each other and for citizens we have never met- without any regard as to any person's race.  

Our team was called out this month and I have to expect that we may be called out at any given time. When those calls come, there is never any thought of race, only the thought of ending a dangerous situation and everyone- team members, innocent folks and suspects- being unharmed if at all possible when the dust settles.

This month I overheard radio traffic from Tribal dispatch, sending tribal officers to a fight in progress in an area of tribal housing. I was concerned that I may have been closer than other officers responding to this call and I immediately called on the tribal dispatch radio channel to ask if tribal officers would allow me to assist…they agreed.
What I am pointing out is I do not care about the race of victim or perpetrator. I place myself in harm's way as part of my duty to citizens within the borders of Lake County without regard to anyone’s race.
As a domestic violence detective, I am currently working with all races of victims, including those who are tribal, as well as with tribal law officers, advocates and prosecutors. Race never comes into my thought process when doing my job or in my private life.

Growing up, my parents never were racist. In college and all my life I have associated with friends of all races and backgrounds. This is a strength that I believe makes me a viable sheriff’s candidate. I do not think it needs to be stated any more plainly…race is not an issue with me and as sheriff I will not tolerate racism in the sheriff’s office.

Rumor #2

It has been stated that I will not recognize the authority of the Montana Highway Patrol or the authority of Tribal Law Enforcement officers.

This is absolutely false. The men and women of both of these agencies are sworn peace officers who have taken the same Oath of Office that I have taken. These fine officers graduated from the same law enforcement academy as I graduated from. I support these brother and sister officers 100% and will continue to back up these officers throughout my career.  I look forward to strengthening the teamwork between our agencies in the coming years.
Ask these officers and many will tell you that I never drive past these officers when they are on risky calls or traffic stops, I will always attempt to assist these officers any way I can.

I was asked a question at a forum that may have led to someone, who wanted to discredit me, to state that I will not recognize the Montana Highway Patrol. The question regarded the issue of the Patrol’s use of “Safety Check Stops”. I have never seen these stops being conducted in Lake County, but another candidate told me they have occurred. I was informed the Troopers place a road block, stopping all traffic. They then pick every third car for example and question those drivers selected for their license, registration and proof of insurance. I do not see how these stops are legal as the Constitutions of Montana and the United States prohibit unreasonable searches.  Searches must be based upon probable cause.  Unless there is some clarification that I can understand as to how these searches could be legal, I will not allow them in Lake County. I believe that when those officers and their superior officers are reminded of their Oath of Office and think about the facts, they will have no desire to conduct such searches.

This is the value of Chief Law Enforcement Officers having the rights of citizens in the forefront of their responsibilities. When this happens and communication takes place with respect, everyone benefits and freedom is protected.

Sincerely,

Steve Kendley