[4] During Norris's career at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD), his assignments included patrol, custody, narcotics, gangs, investigations, counter-terrorism and emergency preparedness.
After 9/11 Norris was selected to lead a team at the newly created Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC) to assist the United States during the war on terror.
Norris held a security clearance for sensitive compartmented information and was responsible for managing personnel and resources from local, state, and federal agencies such as the FBI, CIA, and the US Attorneys Office while under the direction of Condoleezza Rice.
[9] In Norris's first month as the Kootenai County Sheriff, a viral video showed him pulling out pepper spray while talking to a man who was recording a traffic stop.
[10] The video showed Brad Nelson, a citizen of Kootenai County, asking questions regarding a traffic stop.
[15] Norris argued that these books generally violated Idaho state law and should be placed in an area for adult library patrons only.
[17][18] Under Idaho Code §18-2403, theft includes knowingly taking or exercising unauthorized control over property with the intent to deprive the owner of its use or benefit.
[22][23] After the defendants, Norris and Kootenai County, failed to respond to the initial tort claim, Collinson was able to file a lawsuit in October 2024.
[25] Addressing the lawsuit once more in a sheriff's office news release, Norris reaffirmed his stance, describing the claim as politically motivated and promising to contest what he termed "a hoax".
[22] The Spokane Spokesman-Review reported the response of Fred Scheffelmaier, owner of the Country Barn Bed and Breakfast in Cataldo, who hosted the forum where Norris allegedly made his statements.
"[25] His use of official sheriff's office resources to address personal allegations raised concerns regarding the legality of his actions, prompting inquiries to state agencies for clarification on potential campaign finance violations.
[27] Norris attributed this spike to the Trump administration’s executive orders on immigration enforcement and the passage of the Laken Riley Act.
Many local Kootenai County residents, including former Sheriffs Wolfinger and Pierce Clegg, found Edmondson's campaign appealing, as she was the only candidate with law enforcement experience within the KCSO.
[46] In 2022, the BOCC's decision not to move forward with optional forms of county government, including an appointed sheriff, was made.
[52] Woodward, a college student and the youngest candidate in the 2024 Kootenai County General Election at 23 years old, filed his paperwork in March 2024.
[58] He also addressed allegations involving Kootenai County Commissioner and his former campaign manager, Bruce Mattare, whom Wilson claimed had unauthorized access to information in law enforcement databases.
[63] Norris also addressed long-standing accusations about his alleged involvement with the Lynwood Vikings, a white supremacist sheriff gang, firmly stating that he is not a member of "any secret society.
"[58] Although Wilson spent a similar amount on his campaign as Norris did during the 2024 general election cycle, he still did not achieve a higher vote percentage than Bauer had in 2020.