Washington State FOP Supports The Benton County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild Vote To Recall The Benton County Sheriff Jerry Hatcher
For Immediate Release
Contact: Marco Monteblanco, President, WAFOP
Phone: 509-205-9803
E-mail: marco.monteblanco@wafop.com
(Kennewick, WA, June 24, 2020) Washington State FOP supports the Benton County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild vote to recall the Benton County Sheriff Jerry Hatcher:
On February 28th, 2020 Sheriff Hatcher’s released a statement responding to the Washington State Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) February 26, 2020 press release requesting an independent investigation of currently pending internal and criminal issues related to the Sheriff’s actions. In his statement Sheriff Hatcher indicated that he is “ultimately responsible for everything that happens within the organization”.
Unfortunately, Sheriff Hatcher’s conduct has continued to violate agency, county, and state employment law and consequently degrading working conditions for the employees of the agency and decreasing public trust all while under his leadership.
Due to the failures of Sheriff Hatcher, over 90% of the Benton County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild, unanimously voted to institute proceedings to recall Sheriff Jerry Hatcher for violations related to improper engagement with labor, employment law violations and misuse of public funds and property.
In response to the guild’s vote and decision Washington State FOP President Marco Monteblanco stated:
“In a time when law enforcement officers are being put under the deepest of scrutiny Sheriff Hatcher has rebuffed any attempts to even hold himself accountable. Since February the Washington State FOP has worked with the deputies of Benton County Sheriff’s Office to hold Sheriff Hatcher responsible and their efforts have been ignored or hidden.”
Those who work in law enforcement know that it is an extremely stressful profession. Working for an elected official who engages in malfeasance, misfeasance, and/or violates their oath of office creates a completely unnecessary and untenable situation for those honorable Commanders, Lieutenants, Sergeants, Corporals and Deputies who serve the Citizens of Benton county.
The Washington State FOP and Tri-Cities Lodge #7 believe in accountability and transparency for law enforcement and commends the deputies of the Benton County Deputies Guild for their advocacy in holding a fellow officer and elected official accountable to the laws in which they are sworn to uphold.
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The Washington State Fraternal Order of Police (WAFOP) is a 501(c)8 non-profit organization which represents nearly 3,000 law enforcement officers in the state. Our motto is “Cops helping Cops”.
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