Neither the Castle Rock Police Department nor it’s police union endorsed City Council candidate Glenn Pingree, despite statements by Pingree in the Cowlitz County voters guide.

“We haven’t and we wouldn’t endorse any political candidate,” Chief Bob Heuer said Monday.

Heuer, who doesn’t live in Castle Rock and thus doesn’t vote in the election, had not seen the voter’s pamphlet until two residents questioned him about the so-called endorsement. Once he became aware of the statement, Heuer said he felt it necessary to issue a clarification to voters and residents.

Pingree, on Monday, said he received support from a part-time reserve officer and never meant to mislead voters. He added his word choice could have been better.

Pingree, like all candidates, was allowed to submit information about himself and his candidacy for the voter’s guide. The voters pamphlet was only issued on-line for the primary election to save printing costs.

Pingree’s statement reads:

“My name is Glenn Pingree and I have lived in the Castle Rock and surrounding area for more than 40 years. I was an elected councilman in 2002 and was one of the instrumental forces behind our River Trail, North Cowlitz Recreation, and the Lions Park rest rooms. I received the support of our Police Department, Fire Department, and Educational Personnel as well as the Citizens and businesses of Castle Rock. I will appreciate your continued support.”

Heuer said he knew he didn’t offer any endorsements and checked with his full-time officers to see if they endorsed anyone personally or if the police union had backed certain candidates. No one had, he said. Officers cannot support or work for any candidate while in uniform and Heuer said he wanted residents to know the police are following ethical and state regulations regarding elections.

“I don’t know where that came from but it wasn’t us,” Heuer said of the pamphlet statement. Late Monday he said he had not checked with reserve officers who are not full-time members of the department.

Pingree, 49, said Monday a reserve deputy for the department told Pingree he was behind him 100 percent. Asked why he wrote “police department” in the voters guide, Pingree said that in hindsight the word department “wasn’t a good one to put in there.”

Chief Eric Koreis of Castle Rock's Fire District 6 said Monday night that as a government entity the volunteer department does not endorse candidates. Koreis added that individual members or the fire association or union may have endorsed Pingree.

Pingree is one of three candidates vying for the Position 2 seat on the Castle Rock City Council. The other two candidates are Mark Accimus and Buck Savage. The top-two vote getters in today’s primary advance to the general election in November.

Ballots must be postmarked by today’s date to count.