Message from Captain Solferino

During my twenty-three career with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office I have never had a more memorable experience than the one delivered to me by the residents of Incline Village, and the privilege of serving as Commander of the Incline Village Sub-station.  Due to the generous donation of the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation, to increase presence and public safety in Incline Village this assignment would not have been possible.  For the past 20 months, we have come together in forum and CAB meetings, discussed critical Lake Tahoe clarity measures, micro-mobility hubs, transportation, crime reduction strategies, parking issues, speed zones, environmental design, a Justice Center, Main Street Foundation, population growth, short term rentals, and have come together as a community.  

The culmination of my tenure in Incline was the reinstatement of the Incline Village Community Picnic where Sheriff’s Office Personnel and the Incline Village Rotary came together and served hot dogs and hamburgers to over 1,000 residents.  Seeing everyone out in the public on a beautiful fall afternoon touring and visiting with Sheriff’s Office personnel and fellowship was what we’ve strived for with the reopening of the substation – community engagement.  I know we have made great strides, but we have more work left to do.  We have integrated into local schools with the assistance of the Incline Village Boosters, we have paired with the North Lake Tahoe Protection District to address the need of a Public Safety Pier in Incline Village, we work closely with the Incline Village Justice Court and now provide bailiff and civil services to the court, we work with Washoe County Management and Commissioner Hill to address the needs of our community and work side by side with IVCBA and the many civic endeavors they support throughout the year.  The leadership team we have assembled in Incline Village has done what we’ve asked them to do.  Unfortunately, with success and movement comes change and it is with a heavy heart I share the following with you.  

On January 16, 2023 I will take over as Operations Chief Deputy of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and part of Sheriff Darin Balaam’s Executive Team.  With this promotion, Captain Blaine Beard will replace me as the new Incline Village Commander.  Captain Beard brings over twenty-five years of experience in Detention, Operations, and Administration to the residents of Incline Village last serving as the Special Operations Division Captain over SWAT, K9, Detectives, Search and Rescue, and Regional Teams.  Captain Beard is excited to get out into the community and build even stronger relationships and work on the many projects we have in various degrees of completion.  Lt. Miceli remains as the Watch Commander of Incline Village along with Sergeants Colacurcio, Cholico, and Atkinson.  Sgt. Bales is new to Incline Village filling in for the vacancy created by Sgt. Sewell’s promotion to Lieutenant, also effective  January 16, 2023.  Sgt. Bales brings a wealth of SWAT and training experience to the residents and deputies assigned to Incline Village.  We are lucky to have him.  Sgt. Colacurcio will take the duties of the Administrative Sergeant and Incline Village Justice court.  He will coordinate public safety campaigns, school demos, civic engagements, social media, and the Incline Village Justice Court among other duties.  We are in the process of training other sergeants to fill the various shift positions in the division and will make notifications when training is complete and personnel have been assigned.  

It has been my pleasure serving the residents of Incline Village.  You have made my family and I feel extremely welcomed and valued as members of the community.  It would only be for an amazing opportunity, such as the one offered to me by Sheriff Balaam, to leave this community for a promotion.  The good news is I will still be very integrated into the community, events, and residents as Chief Deputy of Operations.  I look forward to seeing what we can continue to build upon together.  Please welcome Captain Beard to Incline Village.  I can’t wait to see what you can accomplish together!