Oregon Public Broadcasting

Multnomah County officials are scrambling to shore up the sheriff's department. April Baer reports it appears Sheriff Bob Skipper will not be able to stay on the job past November.

Skipper took over the Sheriff's Department last winter, when Bernie Giusto stepped down in disgrace.

This summer, Skipper missed a number of opportunities to re-certify. 

State law demands that of all officers returning to duty after extended time in retirement. 

Oregon's Department of Police Safety Standards and Training says it can't bend or change laws to give Skipper another opportunity.

County attorneys agree there's no more room for flexibility. County Counsel Agnes Sowle confirmed Undersheriff Tom Slyter is Skipper's designee to take over.

Multnomah County is one of two counties wrestling to fill sheriffs' offices.

Marion County Commissioners are also sorting through rulebooks, trying to determine the best way to replace former Sheriff Russ Isham. He stepped down last week.

Part of the problem both counties are facing is that commissioners don't want to appoint interim leaders on a timeline that would conflict with the normal elections for sheriff.