Insiders report that veteran SLOPD Captain Ian Parkinson will announce tomorrow that he will be running for SLO County sheriff on next year's June 8th ballot. The highly regarded Parkinson hopes to replace sheriff Pat Hedges, who's held the post for a tumultuous 12 years.

Former county supervisor Jerry Lenthall is reportedly considering running, as is sheriff deputy and former SLOPD officer Dale Strobridge.

Strobridge, you might remember, is the confrontational in-your-face former head of the local police officers union who is most responsible for the binding arbitration situation we're in now. He's still a paid consultant for the local officers' unions and considered an expert on how to squeeze every cent out of local government for exorbitant police salaries and benefits. If he gets elected, he would head the sheriff's office management team. What's wrong with this picture?