Adam Fortney for Sheriff

06/22/2026

When 84% of officers surveyed agree on anything, you should probably listen. The old management style in police leadership, simply will not inspire the next generation of public safety professionals. We have to start getting people in the door in Snohomish County, and yes, leadership participating in the day-to-day work makes a difference and can impact the entire organization. There is incredible organization value when leaders are engaged and present. I really appreciate this article and have been saying this, and living this, for years.

From the article:

"But the real takeaway came when officers were asked whether senior leaders should periodically work a full patrol shift. An overwhelming 84% said yes."

"As General Colin Powell famously observed, the day people stop bringing you their problems is the day you’ve stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you no longer care."

"That last point is telling. When 84% of respondents say leaders should periodically work a patrol shift, they’re not asking for a symbolic gesture. They’re asking leaders to experience the realities they face every day."

"A majority of officers surveyed believe their leaders do not fully understand the realities of patrol work. You can’t change that perception across the profession, but you can change it within your organization."

Read the full article here: https://www.police1.com/what-cops-want/what-84-of-police-officers-want-from-their-leaders?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook

PEOPLE FIRST – FUTURE FOCUSED.

"What Cops Want" survey data reveals a clear message: Leaders connected to frontline realities earn trust, credibility and a better understanding of the job they're leading

06/22/2026

Happy Father’s Day from Trego, Montana! Spending some time with family over the weekend and each time we are here, we have to visit the Trego Pub! Good stuff! 3 generations in the photo and great to see my nieces and nephews!

06/19/2026

Another Future Focused Friday where we are talking about people. I mean every word of it. If we had strong culture and clear direction, that started at the Sheriff level, maybe we wouldn’t have more than doubled our vacant positions at the Sheriff’s Office in only the first two years of the current Sheriff.

To the voters of Snohomish County: This Sheriff promised you to “fix” the recruitment and retention problem when she ran in 2023. She promised you, the voter, transparency and communication. She proclaims herself (literally) the most qualified Sheriff candidate in history and yet we have historical vacant deputy positions which she has more than doubled under her watch, she doesn’t tell the community anything about the status of the Sheriff’s Office or public safety, she doesn’t show up to council meetings, she is tens of millions over budget with your tax money, our corrections bureau is hanging on by a thread and in the news this week, the Snohomish County Council is going to have to spend $170,000 of our tax money to audit her spending because it is so out of control.

At what point do results matter? I can tell you this, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office cannot take another 4 years of this. It is time for proven results and to put people first. Help me make the change and get on board.

PEOPLE FIRST – FUTURE FOCUSED.
fortneyforsheriff.com

06/17/2026

“If the current Sheriff can’t find time out her day to advocate for legislation to protect children from fentanyl exposure, then she should step aside and let someone who will fight for our kids and put people first take over. This was the most important county-level public safety legislation in decades and she was, again, absent. The voters of Snohomish County should be outraged, but they will have the opportunity to fix this in 2027.” Former Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney

This is DEEPLY personal to me. This is the field I work in every day. At at time when we have headlines as recent as a couple months ago, IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY JURISDICTION, where kids are being abandoned at a local motel and exposed to fentanyl, and this Sheriff either can’t, or doesn’t care enough, to show up and advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves (kids), is an embarrassment to the Office of Sheriff in Snohomish County.

If you sense some anger, you would be correct. I have worn this Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office uniform for 30 years and I worked for multiple Sheriffs before becoming Sheriff myself. Some were Republicans. Some were Democrats. Some I agreed with more than others.
But every single one of them would have understood the importance of showing up for this conversation.
Not only should the elected Sheriff have been present for this legislation in front of council, the entire command staff should have been there even if it was simply a visible show of support for this legislation, those families that have been impacted by addiction, those in recovery, those who seek recovery, but most of all, FOR THE KIDS IMPACTED BY THE FENTANYL CRISIS.

It is time to make a change in 2027 for Snohomish County Sheriff and I can assure the voters in Snohomish County I will be a very strong and vocal advocate for public safety in our county, just like I was in my first term. In 2023, Snohomish County chose a resume over results and look where we are. We have a chance to correct this. I look forward to earning your vote in 2027.

PEOPLE FIRST – FUTURE FOCUSED.
fortneyforsheriff.com

06/15/2026

Crickets… 👀

06/15/2026

IS THE CURRENT SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF MISSING???

I am sharing with you a few minutes of Snohomish County Council meeting from June 10th, 2026, where there is confusion and frustration directed at the Sheriff's Office for not having anyone there to answer some very basic questions. This was not a surprise hearing; the council was dealing with not only an agenda item that the Sheriff brought to them, but the Sheriff also requested that it be EXPEDITED! And then she no shows the Snohomish County Council! I know these meetings better than most, I can't put into words how outside the norm this is to happen at a pre-planned council meeting with a Sheriff's Office agenda item.

2:36—Referring to the Sheriff's Office, "Are you online?" Absolute crickets.....
3:29—Councilmember Dunn, "Is anyone from the Sheriff's Office online?" Nothing....
4:38—Councilmember Mead, "I'd like to at least hear back from somebody...."

At the end they have to table the entire agenda item because they have no participation from the Sheriff and the council, rightfully so, wants to avoid any "misunderstanding and some friction" with the Tulalip Tribes (this is a Tulalip Tribes contract) because of lack of communication on the front end.

I want to say to the Tulalip Tribes that you deserve better from this Sheriff. If you want to sit down and discuss how this would be different, and was different when you dealt with me as Sheriff, I would be happy to do so.

To the voters of Snohomish County, you deserve a Sheriff that is engaged, aware, and driven to put People First. I have it on very good authority that there is a lot of frustration within county government with the lack of participation and communication from this Sheriff. We can do better.

PEOPLE FIRST-FUTURE FOCUSED!
fortneyforsheriff.com

06/12/2026

The Sheriff’s Office current path is not sustainable and definitely not sustainable for another term with this Sheriff. We have to get beyond campaign promises, ask tough questions of both of us and most of all, put results above a resume. The 2027 election for Sheriff will be a pivotal election that will determine the path of public safety in our county for decades. We can fix this! Fortney will fix it!

PEOPLE FIRST – FUTURE FOCUSED.
fortneyforsheriff.com

06/10/2026

Last week I attended the Spring Into Recovery event at Funko Field.

I went to support one of my team members in the dunk tank, but more importantly, I went to support the social workers, peer counselors, recovery advocates, and countless others who are on the front lines every day helping people rebuild their lives.

Over the last several years, I've had the opportunity to learn a great deal about the world of recovery from a law enforcement perspective. What I've learned is that recovery is incredibly complex. There are no easy answers. Every person has a different story, different challenges, and a different path forward.
But through all that complexity, one thing has become very clear to me:

It's all about the people.

And it's about the professionals and volunteers who dedicate their lives to helping others find their way forward.

As a law enforcement leader, I have always believed accountability and compassion can exist together. But in order for the unique relationship to work at a high level, we have to be engaged.

We have a responsibility to keep our communities safe, but we also have a responsibility to recognize the humanity of the people we serve.

Some of the most inspiring stories I've encountered over the years have come from people who have overcome incredible obstacles, found recovery, and gone on to help others do the same.

That's why events like Spring Into Recovery matter.

At the end of the day, whether we're talking about public safety, recovery, homelessness, mental health, or building stronger communities, the answer always comes back to people.

People matter.

Every single one of them.

Thank you to everyone who organized, participated in, and supported this important event. Your work is making a difference in the lives of people throughout Snohomish County.

People First. Future Focused.

fortneyforsheriff.com

06/10/2026

This is the way and Sheriff Sanders nailed it. This is the new generation of public safety leadership that will recruit the next generation. It’s more than influence, it’s transparency and its authenticity. We need this back in Snohomish County so we can save the Sheriffs Office.

06/08/2026

Jill and I were honored to attend the Stanwood High School graduation over the weekend. The two young ladies in the pictures were part of our LEAD The Way Program several years ago and we have kept in touch with both of them and their families. I am so incredibly proud of these two for putting the work in and getting it done. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you!

Our youth today have a lot going for them and a lot to contend with that we never did. They need to know there is always hope, there is a path for them and relying on family and community to get through tough times is how we were all built. If our LEAD The Way Program can be even a small part of our youths' journey, or help in any way, we will be there.

If you are looking at the third picture and thinking there is no way that guy is a high school graduate, you would be correct. I got to know Tom when he would drop off his granddaughter for our 8 week program and I really enjoyed getting to know him. I hadn't seen him for quite a while until this graduation but we picked up right where we left off. I also learned he just turned 90 years old so happy birthday Tom!

People First-Future Focused isn't just a campaign slogan for me, and I hope these pictures represent even a little bit of that passion for people.

Happy graduation to all the seniors out there!

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PEOPLE FIRST - FUTURE FOCUSED.
fortneyforsheriff.com