Choices Needed in Sheriff’s Race

The news that two veteran law enforcement officials are seriously considering entering the sheriff’s race next year is heartening.

If both Jim Roache, captain of the Sheriff’s Department Lemon Grove station, and Escondido Police Chief Vince Jimno decide to run, then Sheriff John Duffy would face at least three challengers. Former San Diego Police Chief Ray Hoobler announced his candidacy this summer.

Duffy has faced little opposition during his nearly 20 years in office. Twice--in 1974 and 1986--he had no opponents. And in 1982 his only challenger was a San Diego police sergeant.

This time, however, if Roache and Jimno run, Duffy would face three challengers with experience running departments or stations. In addition, Roache is a member of the San Diego city school board.

Duffy will not be easy to unseat. The lack of vigor he has shown for the job in recent years will probably be more than made up by campaign effort if he faces significant opposition. And for Roache there’s an added obstacle: a policy that appears to forbid any employee of the Sheriff’s Department from running against Duffy--a policy probably with more of a political than a practical basis.

But San Diego County voters deserve a real choice in this next sheriff’s race. The time has come for a change in leadership, which will only be possible if there are candidates with strong law enforcement experience willing to take a chance.