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Robert Norris (sheriff)

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This article is about the Idaho sheriff. For the Canadian politician, see Rob Norris. For other people, see Robert Norris (disambiguation).
Robert Norris
Norris in 2021
13th Sheriff of Kootenai County
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1st, 2021
Preceded byBen Wolfinger
Personal details
Born (1963-11-03) November 3, 1963 (age 60)
Political partyRepublican
Other political
affiliations		Non-affiliated
Alma materLong Beach State University
Signature
Websitewww.kcsheriff.com www.sheriffnorris.com
NicknameBob Norris

Robert Brian Norris, commonly known as Robert "Bob" Norris on the ballot, is the 13th Sheriff of Kootenai County, Idaho.[1] He defeated the Independent candidate for sheriff, Mike Bauer, in the 2020 Kootenai County Sheriff race, making him the first Kootenai County Sheriff to not have any prior connection with the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office.[2] Before becoming Sheriff, he was a lieutenant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.[3]

Career at the LASD

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During Norris's career at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, his assignments included patrol, custody, narcotics, gangs, investigations, counter-terrorism and emergency preparedness.[3] Norris also graduated from the LASO's Leadership Certification program.

After 9/11 Norris was selected to lead a team at the newly created Joint Regional Intelligence Center to assist the United States during the war on terror. Norris held an SCI and was responsible for managing personnel and resources from local, state, and federal agencies such as the FBI, CIA, and the US Attorney's Office while under the direction of Condoleezza Rice. After leaving the JRIC, he was promoted to Lieutenant at the LASD by former Los Angeles Sheriff, Lee Baca.[3]

Since Norris's career at the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and his move to North Idaho, Norris volunteered with the Kootenai County Search and Rescue team from 2017 to 2019.

Kootenai County Sheriff

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Norris was appointed to the office on January 1, 2021. Due to his predecessor leaving the office early, he was appointed unanimously by the Kootenai County board of commissioners (BOCC).[4] He started his appointed term as Sheriff on January 1, 2021, and ended on January 10, 2021. He was officially sworn in as the elected Kootenai County Sheriff on January 11, 2021.

Reforms and controversy

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North Idaho Exposed Incident

In Norris' first month as the Kootenai County Sheriff, a video surfaced online of him pulling out pepper spray while talking to a man who was recording a traffic stop.[5] It appeared to show Brad Nelson, a citizen of Kootenai County, asking questions regarding a traffic stop. After Nelson got close enough so Lt. Higgins and Norris could hear his questions, Norris approached Nelson and asked him to step back. Nelson was apprehensive and told Norris to, "Shut the fuck up and get back to work."[6]

COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19, he released press statements saying that he would not enforce COVID-19 guidelines or mask mandates.[7][8]

'Explicit' Books

In 2023, Norris asserted that books with explicit sexual content were available to teenagers in local libraries, specifically citing the books "Deal With It! A Whole New Approach to Your Body, Brain, and Life as a Gurl" and "Identical." Norris argued that these books violated Idaho state law and should be placed in an area for adult library patrons only.[9]

Norris' unauthorized removal of the two books and his unwillingness to return them brought public attention to the county.[10][11] The Community Library Network (CLN), which operates the Post Falls library, defended the books, stating that they are classified as young adult non-fiction and that minors must have parent or legal guardian authorization to sign up for a library card.[12] The CLN also has a process for people to ask the library to reconsider what materials it makes available to youth.

Norris' concerns sparked a debate about the role of libraries in providing access to all types of materials, including those that may be controversial. Some people argued that libraries should serve as a safe space for people of all ages to learn and explore, while others argued that libraries should have a responsibility to protect children from inappropriate content.[13]

Pennie Collinson's Defamation Claim

In July 2024, a woman filed a notice of tort claim against Sheriff Norris, seeking over $500,000 in damages for defamation.[14] The claim had alleged that during an April 2024 campaign event, Norris made derogatory remarks about Collinson.[14]

After the defendants, Norris and Kootenai County, failed to respond to the initial tort claim, Collinson was able to file a lawsuit in October 2024.[15] The lawsuit accuses Norris of slander, defamation, placing her in a false light, and causing emotional distress.[16] Addressing the lawsuit once more in a sheriff’s office news release, Norris reaffirmed his stance, describing the claim as politically motivated and promising to contest what he termed “a hoax.”[15][16]

The Spokesman-Review reported the response of Fred Scheffelmaier, owner of the Country Barn Bed and Breakfast in Cataldo, who hosted the forum where Norris allegedly made his statements. Scheffelmaier expressed shock, stating, “Why would you call someone something like that in a public meeting?”[16]

His use of official sheriff's office resources to address personal allegations raised concerns regarding legality, prompting inquiries to state agencies for clarification on potential campaign finance violations.[17]

2020 Kootenai County Sheriff race

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Campaign

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Primary race

In late-2018, Norris announced he would run for Kootenai County Sheriff.[18] Several potential Republican sheriff candidates, including KCSO Captain Kim Edmondson, businessman John Grimm, former U.S. prosecutor Scott Jones, former house representative John Green and retired Texas officer Richard Whitehead, all announced their campaigns shortly after one another.[19] On July 11, 2019, Jones officially dropped out of the Sheriff's race and announced the next day that he intended to endorse Norris.[20] Captain Kim Edmondson and businessman John Grimm joined the race as moderate Republicans. Many local Kootenai County residents, including former Sheriffs Wolfinger and Pierce Clegg, found Edmondson's campaign appealing, as she was the only candidate with law enforcement experience within the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office.[21][22]

As the primary election got closer, the race for Sheriff became more aggressive politically;[23] one campaign had even begun being investigated by the FBI.[24] Many noted that this Sheriff election seemed much more divisive than the ones prior. Former Sheriff Wolfinger agreeing with that sentiment, but also noting that this hadn't been the first time a Sheriff's election had become so polarized.[22]

Norris won with nearly 3,000 more votes over Edmondson, making him the official Republican candidate for Sheriff.[25]

General election

Mike Bauer, a former Captain at the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department decided to file his paperwork for Kootenai County Sheriff in the spring of 2019.[26] Many speculated about his reasons for joining the already crowded race and filing with a non-partisan affiliation, despite formerly being registered as a Republican. In an interview Bauer did, when asked why he was running for Sheriff, he said, "I’m not — impressed with the four candidates that are running, especially one that seems to have a — unverified background."[27] Bauer's campaign had proof that Norris had donated $600 to Paul Tanaka’s Mayor of Gardena campaign.[28] Bauer claimed that this donation had proved Norris was involved in the LASD pay-to-play scandal which found Tanaka had worked with former L.A. Sheriff Lee Baca to promote those who had donated to Tanaka’s mayoral campaign.[29] Norris did receive a promotion within the department where he worked, but it came six years after the original donation.[30]

During the heat of the 2020 campaign, Bauer leveraged the fact that Norris had worked under convicted felon, Sheriff Baca, sharing documents and photographs with the previous sheriff, Sherman Block, whom Norris had never worked for.[31] Aware that Bauer had also worked under Baca, Norris contacted L.A. Sheriff photographer Jaime Lopez and asked for access to Bauer’s personnel file, claiming that Bauer had suffered a flood and needed assistance restoring lost documents and images.[32] In reality, there had been no flood; Norris was trying to obtain photographs showing Bauer and Baca together.

At the end of the Bauer campaign, Bauer had received notable endorsements from Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and previous Kootenai County Sheriff Pierce Clegg. Bauer also boosted support for a non-partisan sheriff's office,[33] which the Kootenai County BOCC would soon consider after the general election.[34] In 2022, the BOCC's decision not to move forward with optional forms of county government, including an appointed sheriff, was made.[35]

Justin Nagel, a carpenter and Kootenai County native, decided he would file as well. He campaigned as the only "born and raised" Idahoan candidate that had been in the race for Kootenai County Sheriff. He ran on the Libertarian ticket and received just over 8,000 votes in the general election.[36]

2020 Election results

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Official Results from the Kootenai County Clerk's Office. Sheriff candidates are listed individually below if they received more than 0.1% of the overall vote.[37]

2020 General Kootenai County Sheriff Race
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert "Bob" Norris 56,938 68.02%
Independent Mike Bauer 18,702 22.34%
Libertarian Justin Nagel 8,070 9.64%

Official Results from the Kootenai County Clerk's Office.[37]

2020 Primary Kootenai County Sheriff Race
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert "Bob" Norris 9,931 44.27%
Republican Kim Edmondson 6,011 26.80%
Republican Richard "Rick" Whitehead 4,192 18.69%
Republican John Grimm 2,298 10.24%

2024 Kootenai County Sheriff race

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Campaign

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Primary election

Mike Bauer (left) and Sheriff Norris (right) at the Republican candidate townhall.

Norris won the 2024 Kootenai County Republican primary election for sheriff, securing another victory over challenger Mike Bauer. Norris attributed his strong margin of victory to his efforts in improving the sheriff's office.[38] Bauer, running for the position for the second time, acknowledged the shifting political landscape in the county and expressed respect for Norris's electoral success, viewing the outcome as a reflection of the public's opinion on Norris’s leadership, despite Bauer's significant reservations.[38]

General election

Norris will face three independent challengers in November: Justin Nagel, Kyle Woodward and Dan Wilson.[38]

2024 Election results

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Official Results from the Kootenai County Clerk's Office.[39]

2024 Primary Kootenai County Sheriff Race
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert "Bob" Norris* 22,695 80.85%
Republican Mike Bauer 5,376 19.15%

References

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  1. ^ "LACERA Automatic Deposit Receipt" (PDF). Sheriff Norris' campaign site. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  2. ^ "Republican Bob Norris wins Kootenai County Sheriff election". Krem 2. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "About Bob Norris". Sheriff Norris' campaign site, About Bob Norris page. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  4. ^ "Norris for sheriff? Yes — again". Coeur d'Alene Press. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Kootenai Sheriff pulls mace on citizen recording police incident". North Idaho Exposed. Casey Whalen. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Recording of Kootenai County sheriff goes viral". Coeur d'Alene Press. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  7. ^ "Norris Will Not Enforce Dictates on Healthy Citizens". Coeur d'Alene Press. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  8. ^ "New Kootenai County sheriff latest law enforcement leader to refuse to enforce mask mandate as cases and deaths mount | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  9. ^ "Kootenai County sheriff calls out 'explicit' books in North Idaho libraries". krem.com. September 28, 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  10. ^ "Shawn Vestal: The story of sheriff and the pilfered books needs a new ending | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  11. ^ "Idaho Sheriff Won't Return Library Books He Thinks Are Obscene". The Daily Beast. 2023-09-30. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  12. ^ Buley, Bill (2023-09-27). "Sheriff scopes out explicit library books". Coeur d'Alene Press. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  13. ^ Rillo, Maryssa (2023-09-26). "Kootenai County Sheriff raises concerns over library book". KXLY kxly.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  14. ^ a b "Woman files intent to sue Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris". krem.com. 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  15. ^ a b THORNBRUGH, KAYE (2024-10-24). "Kootenai County sheriff sued for defamation". Coeur d'Alene Press. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  16. ^ a b c "Kootenai County Sheriff Norris sued for allegedly calling a photographer a pedophile in public meeting | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  17. ^ THORNBRUGH, KAYE (2024-07-23). "Woman files intent to sue Kootenai County sheriff". Coeur d'Alene Press. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  18. ^ "County Candidate Filing". Kootenai County Gov. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  19. ^ BARTHOLDT, RALPH (2020-03-04). "Norris endorsed by deputy sheriff's association". Coeur d'Alene Press. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  20. ^ "Scott Jones drops out of race for Kootenai County sheriff". KMVT. Associated Press. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  21. ^ None (2020-05-14). "Kim Edmondson". Coeur d'Alene Press. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  22. ^ a b Wolfinger, Ben (2020-04-16). "Research and Opinion: Sheriff scrutinizes the candidates". Coeur d'Alene Press. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  23. ^ None (2020-10-11). "Sheriff race is getting uglier". Coeur d'Alene Press. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  24. ^ "6 candidates vie to replace retiring Kootenai County sheriff | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  25. ^ "Bob Norris wins Kootenai County sheriff's primary; Fulcher to face Soto in race for Congress | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  26. ^ "Bauer's Kootenai County Sheriff Candidate Statement" (PDF). Bauer for Sheriff.
  27. ^ Sharon, Luke (2020-03-01). "S1 - E14: Little Long with Mike Bauer | 2020 Sheriff Race". YouTube.
  28. ^ "Kootenai Co. Sheriff Candidate's Involvement in pay-to-play scandal". The Idaho Report. 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  29. ^ "LASD INVESTIGATIONS – PAY TO PLAY: Does the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department have an unofficial quid pro quo promotion system? – by Matthew Fleischer |". witnessla.com. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  30. ^ "Bob Norris-Issues". www.norris2020.com. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  31. ^ "Three candidates vying to become the next Kootenai County sheriff | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  32. ^ "Jaime Lopez.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  33. ^ "Republican Bob Norris wins Kootenai County Sheriff election". 11Alive.com. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  34. ^ HARDY, MADISON (2021-03-02). "Is it time for a change?". Coeur d'Alene Press. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  35. ^ THORNBRUGH, KAYE (2022-04-14). "Optional Forms struggle looks dead". Coeur d'Alene Press. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  36. ^ Nagel, Justin. "About Justin". Nagel for Sheriff. Archived from the original on 2020-11-03.
  37. ^ a b "Official 2020 Kootenai County general election results". Kootenai County Clerk's Office. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  38. ^ a b c Buley, Bill (2024-05-22). "Norris claims big win". Coeur d'Alene Press. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  39. ^ "Official 2024 Kootenai County primary election results". Kootenai County Clerk's Office. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
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