Clark County Sheriff John Horch says he works for the citizens of Clark County, and he tells us the worst part of his job, his favorite part of the job, and we reveal his favorite actor and band as we conclude this four-part series

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

Recently, Clark County Sheriff John Horch sat down with Clark County Today to discuss a number of subjects concerning the Clark County Sheriff’s Office: Staffing issues, department morale, the office’s relationship with federal agencies, the implementation of body-worn cameras, de-escalation training in law enforcement, and more.

Clark County Today is posting several stories in his series. 

In the first post, the sheriff sounded the alarm on staffing shortages.

In the second post, the sheriff detailed his office’s policy regarding federal law enforcement, such as immigration.

In the third post, the sheriff talks about the implementation of body-worn cameras and how video is crucial in helping the public see how his deputies perform their duties, including deescalation tactics. 

We conclude the series with this fourth installment, with the sheriff discussing a number of subjects, plus some fun tidbits about the sheriff.  

“I’m a true believer in this. I don’t just say this. I work for you. I work for the citizens.” 

John Horch has been the Clark County Sheriff for a little more than two years. He said there are a number of things he believes have improved under his watch.

Communication, external and internal, was a priority for him. He said he is accessible to the community and tries to get out there to listen. 

“I’m a true believer in this. I don’t just say this. I work for you. I work for the citizens,” Horch said. “Leaders or sheriffs or police chiefs who lose sight of that … I don’t know how successful they are. I try to stay humble every single day.”

He also wants to make sure he is in constant communication with his team of administrators and deputies. 

He has a community newsletter as well as a newsletter for Clark County Sheriff’s Office employees.

He also believes communication with the county council is crucial.

“Agree or disagree on issues, we still need to keep communicating and trying to find solutions,” he said. 

He reiterated his appreciation for the transition his department made with body-worn cameras. He is grateful that there has been a return of a School Resource Officer to one school district and hopes to add more in the near future. 

The office has added additional traffic units and K-9 units. The sheriff’s office was down to one K-9 unit when Horch was sworn in as sheriff. Today, there are four K-9 units.

There is also a co-responder program, with a behavioral health professional going on on some calls with deputies. 

There is a bigger emphasis on wellness programs for deputies. He understands the department is understaffed, and the job is stressful.

“When I started, we didn’t talk about your wellness,” Horch said. “You didn’t talk about having a bad day or if you had a (crappy) call. Now, if you’re having a bad day, you need to talk to somebody about it.”

There have also been improvements made to the online crime reporting system.

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Thoughts on the Clark County Jail

The Clark County Jail was previously operated by the sheriff’s office, but that was placed under the Clark County Manager’s Office shortly before Horch was sworn in as sheriff.

“It’s never been a thing to me. I’m not a tribal person where it has to be underneath the sheriff’s office,” Horch said. “I want it to function well.”

The jail is an integral part of our society, he added. 

“I just want it to function,” he said. “I could care less who runs it.”

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“… a great place to work”

Staff shortages are affecting the department. Horch said beyond working with the county council on funding, he is also working on recruitment.

His goal, he said, is to make Clark County the best sheriff’s office in the state, so people will want to come here.

“Take care of our people, and they’ll take care of the public,” he said.

Horch does not sugarcoat things. The staffing issue is a major concern. But the sky is not falling, he said, and the people who do work for the sheriff’s office set themselves apart with their professionalism.

“There is a pride factor working here,” Horch said. “I can feel a difference in the community.”

He said it is rare that a day goes by that he does not hear a compliment about one of his deputies from a citizen.

“I still love this job. It’s demanding. It’s hard. It’s not easy. I still love the community. It’s a great place to work,” Horch said.

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A worrisome trend: violence

Horch did not give statistics, but rather an observation when asked about any increase in crime he has seen in recent years.

“It is more violent,” he said. 

He noted the large caliber round shot at one of his office’s SWAT vehicles, and other major incidents involving firearms. 

He is disappointed in what he called an “overall disregard” for law enforcement by many people in the country the past few years. 

Whether that is connected to more troubled encounters with law enforcement is for others to decide. But things have changed on the streets, Horch said.
“Law enforcement is not us versus the bad guys. When bad people commit crimes, it’s against society,” Horch said. “We are the paid arm of society going, ‘We want to be safe.’”

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Worst part of the job

The worst part of the job of sheriff, Horch said, goes back to the very first part of this series. 

“What keeps me up at night is the burden of our staffing. I feel for our people,” Horch said. 

He hears it from his deputies.

“‘Does anyone give a ….?’ Are we going to turn this around?’ I know we will,” Horch said. “I am confident we will.”

One thing he has learned in his two years as sheriff is progress does not happen overnight.

“Sometimes things take a little more time. It seems like a simple answer, but it still takes time,” he said of working through government channels. 

Still, he promises to keep fighting for his deputies. 

“I never, ever stop. I never give up,” Horch said.  

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Best part of the job

That is the easiest question of all for Horch.

“The best part of the job is the people I work with. I love them,” he said. “And the community members I get to meet. We have great people.”

The job is stressful. And there are major issues to deal with. But Horch is inspired when he sees his deputies working on Santa’s Posse every December, or the Police Activities League. There is the Explorer Program, the Cadet Program, or the Citizens’ Academy. 

“Even with our short staffing, I see us at different events, helping,” Horch said. “They are still giving up their time on their personal time to make a difference with people.”

That inspires Horch to do what he can for his deputies.

“I don’t have to solve all the world’s problems every day, but I never give up trying,” he said.

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Sheriff Horch’s office

There are words on one of the walls of the sheriff’s office, a reminder of the mission for the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

“To Protect and Safeguard our Community” it says.

Underneath, a picture of Dirty Harry Callahan.

Just a little personal touch from Horch, showcasing his favorite actor Clint Eastwood. On a nearby shelf above his desk is an autographed picture of Eastwood in Horch’s favorite movie, “Hang ‘em High.” 

Horch also has pictures and mementos of a long career in law enforcement. He even has a blasting machine commemorating his 12 years with the Portland Metro Explosive Disposal Unit, presented by his fellow bomb technicians. We will assume the blasting machine is inoperable.

He also has a display of Porsche memorabilia as well as a picture of Van Halen, his favorite band. And yes, it is important to note that he is Team David Lee Roth in the decades long argument of Roth vs. Hagar.