PORT HADLOCK — Jefferson County’s Sheriff’s Office and Prosecuting Attorney’s office have begun working a bit closer together in a new joint community policing effort.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ted DeBray was transferred last week from the Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend to the sheriff’s headquarters in Port Hadlock.
DeBray, an attorney since 1994, has spent the last 2 ½ years overseeing controlled substance prosecutions for the felony division of the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Prosecuting Attorney Juelie Dalzell said the move is intended to help both agencies focus on methamphetamine trafficking investigations, neighborhood conflict resolution, and interagency cooperation.
“In this new role, Mr. DeBray will be directing time and energy toward assisting sheriff’s office detectives in their investigations through the provision of on-site legal advice and by acting as an important nexus for interdepartmental coordination,” Dalzell said.
“This will allow both the Sheriff’s Office and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office superior access to the resources of each agency.
“Working together, both the Sheriff’s Office and Prosecuting Attorney’s Office expect to experience meaningful contributions to the ability of the law enforcement community to preserve public safety in Jefferson County and to improve the quality of life of local residents.”
Jefferson County Sheriff Tony Hernandez said the move will bolster his department’s efficiency and effectiveness in the investigative and prosecution aspects of the local criminal justice system.
“It’s a typical model of having an embedded deputy prosecuting attorney to help with the ‘legal-eze’ we deal with on a daily basis,” Hernandez said.
“Ted can help us with everything from obtain search warrants to legal advisement on cases we are working.”
DeBray moved into his new office on Friday.
“I’m excited to be here,” he said.
“Being on site means I’m readily available to look at cases and have that legal input.”
The new role as a liaison to the Sheriff’s Office will be in addition to his role as a deputy prosecutor.
DeBray will continue to work in the court room for the prosecution side on his typical case load.
“The difference is my office will be here and I’ll be able to help a lot more,” he said.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com
