Dwane Pacheco - R - SweetwaterNOW

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Dwane Pacheco. I am a lifelong resident of Sweetwater County, I am married to Gina and have three children and three grandchildren. My parents are Gilbert and Dolores and my in-laws are Margee and the late Rich Matthews all of Rock Springs.

I am a 31-year peace officer with the Rock Springs Police Department, last 8 years as police chief, a retired Air Force Reserve Veteran and a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, 201st Session, in 2000.

I am a member of the American Legion Archie Hay Post 24; Knights of Columbus Frank Plemel Council 2441; Lifetime member of the Rock Springs Police Department Police Protective Association; Lifetime member of the Wyoming Peace Officers Association; FBI National Academy Associates Rocky Mountain Chapter; FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association; International Association of Chiefs of Police; Lifetime member of the NRA; Past member of the Sweetwater Combined Communications Center Joint Powers Board; Past member of the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy Advisory Board.

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What do you see as the most important issues in your candidacy and how will you address them?

Leadership in the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office is essential. I am seeking this office to establish a Sheriff’s Office that will reconnect with all citizens of Sweetwater County with a proven leadership team that is focused on relationships that develop partnerships and build trust.

I have named my Undersheriff Ozzie Knezovich who brings 31 years of Ozzie grew up in Rock Springs/Superior WY, graduated from Rock Springs High School, holds a Masters degree in Law Enforcement Leadership, and is a United States Army Veteran. He began his law enforcement career as Superior’s town marshal in 1990, worked for the Rock Springs Police Department in 1991-1995. He is currently in his fourth term as the elected Sheriff of Spokane County, is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session #232 and a published author. Ozzie has maintained his Sweetwater County values and has deep family roots in our County. The addition of Ozzie to my team adds National and International Law Enforcement experience and will enhance my commitment to effective leadership. Ozzie and his wife Paula have three children and 4 grandchildren.

Fiscal responsibility is a must during these economic times and I will focus efforts on volunteers for our Search and Rescue Ground Team, Search and Rescue Dive Team and Emergency Management Team. Volunteers are force multipliers whose time must be used wisely. Proper training, planning and resource allocations will give our teams the best opportunity for success.

Children are our future and must be safe while attending school. One of my initial focuses as police chief included a collaborative effort with Sweetwater School District 1. We implemented the Standard Response Protocol safety plan. I will partner with Sweetwater School District 2 to ensure we are partners in their safety plan as well.
We have a drug problem and I will implement a Sweetwater Narcotics and Gang (SNAG) Unit to investigate and arrest drug dealers, outstanding warrants and investigate street gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs. This unit will be made up of local law enforcement working together to make our County safer.