Hemet Police Chief Dave Brown is retiring with an eye toward running for Riverside County sheriff in 2018, the chief announced Wednesday evening, July 26.

In a Facebook post on the Hemet Police Department website, Brown, who has held his current post since 2011, wrote that he will likely retire by the end of this year. If he runs, Brown will challenge incumbent Sheriff Stan Sniff, who is up for re-election next year.

“My decision is based on three clear truths,” he wrote. “First, the fact that the Hemet Police Department has emerged from the relentless recession better, stronger and more committed and capable than ever before.

“Thanks to a determined and generous community we have secured the financial and organizational stability necessary to transform and revitalize our community. There is no doubt we will be successful in accomplishing those goals.

“Next, the Hemet Police Department’s leadership team, sworn and civilian staff and volunteers are extremely talented and fully capable of leading this organization and our community to the next-level and beyond. I have total confidence in their ability and resolve to fully implement Measure U and to provide leadership and vision as the city flourishes.

“And finally, I am confident that I am being called to help lead a transition of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department to new leadership in 2018. This transition will have an enormously positive impact on the safety and security of law abiding citizens throughout the county and on the amazing employees who serve in the Sheriff’s Department.”

The chief wrote he will “work to support the seamless transfer” of his job to Deputy Chief Rob Webb.

In a telephone interview Thursday afternoon, Brown said he’s noticed a decline in the Sheriff’s Department’s morale for several years.

“Many (deputies) confided in me how difficult it is to work there,” Brown said.

He said he’s been contacted by “several close colleagues” about running, although none of them was a county supervisor. Brown added he likely will decide whether to run by Sept. 1.

Brown said he intends “to assemble an exploratory committee of trusted police professionals, community leaders and close associates to explore the feasibility of running for the office of Riverside County Sheriff in June 2018.”

If he runs, Brown would be at least the second candidate to run against Sniff. Sheriff’s Lt. Chad Bianco, who also challenged Sniff in 2014, has filed papers to run for sheriff next year.

Sniff, who did not respond to a voicemail seeking comment, has been sheriff since 2007. He was re-elected to a four-year term in 2014 with 62 percent of the vote.

But political momentum could be building against him. He was chastised this week by Supervisor John Tavaglione, who told him to quit fighting county efforts to cut costs.

“We work with your team here,” Tavaglione told Sniff from the board dais. “Your team is doing good stuff … But every time you get up here, I have to tell you I get very disappointed and so does (Supervisor Chuck Washington).”

“He sits behind you at an event and hears you badmouth us,” Tavaglione said. “We get Facebook … posts – what a bad job the Board of Supervisors (is doing). We don’t appreciate that. Because all we’ve been doing for the past 10 years is supporting you and your agency. And you know damn well that’s the truth.”

The relationship between the Board of Supervisors and Sniff has clearly deteriorated, Brown said. “The department and county deserve a leader who builds consensus instead of looking to blame,” he said.

The candidates will run in the June 2018 primary. If no one wins a majority of the vote, the top two vote-getters will compete in a November runoff.