Skip to main content
Global Edition
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Clay County Merit Deputies voice concerns over Chief Deputy

Credit: WTHI
Duration: 0 shares 1 views

Clay County Merit Deputies voice concerns over Chief Deputy
Clay County Merit Deputies voice concerns over Chief Deputy

Clay County Merit Deputies say the morale and outlook of the Clay County Sheriff's office hang in the balance, in a letter they sent to the Sheriff.

Good evening and thanks for joining us.

We have continuing coverage out of clay county... clay county sheriff's merit deputies are saying they don't have trust and confidence for the county's chief deputy josh clark.

News 10's sarah lehman is live in our newsroom with details.

Today -- the clay county sheriffs office sent us all of this.

It's letters... complaints..

And merit board minutes regarding chief deputy clark.

Here's what we know... from documents we got through the clay county sheriffs office -- an unsigned letter dated august 19th from the merit deputies of the clay countys sheriffs office is where this all started.

The letter stated their vote of no confidence toward chief deputy josh clarke.

That letter said in part -- merit deputies are united on their vote.

It said the clay county sheriffs office has declined in morale... and professionalism over the last several years.

They said it is because of chief deputy clark.

A formal letter of complaint dated august 29th was slid under the sheriffs door the morning of september 14th.

According to documents we got from the sheriffs office... the complaints against chief deputy clark include but are not limited to... inappropriate communication s with a wife of a merit deputy.

Threatening to do physical harm to a merit deputy.

Verbally attacking a merit deputy over a political sign in that merit deputys friends yard.

Kicking a chair while a merit deputy was sitting and saying the merit deputy had one coming.

This discussion was tabled at the last merit board meeting until they could discuss their legal counsel.

I reached out to sheriff paul harden who was not available for comment.

I also reached out to clarke.

He said he would have to talk to his legal team before saying anything.

Right now -- clarke is still working at the sheriffs office.

There is a merit board meeting set for october 5th.

News 10 will be there and bring you all the updates.

Reporting live in the newsroom.

I'm sarah lehman news 10.

Back to you.

You might like

Related news coverage

Advertisement