The following is a letter Dan recently submitted to the Gazette Times. The facts in this letter are extremely accurate. For those of you that don't know Dan, he recently retired from BCSO after decades of faithful service to Benton County. He was (and still is) highly respected by his coworkers and looked up to as a roll model of integrity.

SERGEANT EASTHAM'S LETTER:

Much discussion and media coverage has focused on the educational qualifications and achievement of the candidates for Benton County Sheriff. While I believe this issue has been blown completely out of proportion, I also feel it is prudent to consider whether the issue is appropriately focused solely on one candidate.

First, we all need to remember what the qualifications are to serve as a county Sheriff in the state of Oregon: you must be 21 years of age, not be convicted of a felony, and have four years of experience as a full-time law enforcement officer, or become certified as a police officer through the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST).


Diana Simpson did not have four years of experience as a law enforcement officer and she had to obtain her basic certificate through the DPSST for law enforcement. This means she recently went through the Police Academy which was supposed to be followed by a field training program that all new patrol deputies must go through. This is usually an intensive program utilizing numerous specified training officers, weekly and monthly progress reports, working all the shifts with different instructors, solo patrol with a final progress report. Or at least that is what she was supposed to do. Instead, Undersheriff Simpson hand-picked her training officer, utilized others outside the patrol division to supply training, picked her own training schedule, and did not have any of the progress reports completed by her subordinates, as every other patrol employee is required to do. Therefore “technically” she did obtain her basic law enforcement certification but only by completing a modified training program that fit her needs. She did, fudge facts, submit improper paperwork and cut corners to achieve her own goals.
As Theresa Novak, (GT) stated in her recent editorial “…an understanding that Benton County’s top law enforcement officials can’t just wing it on the technicalities."
Undersheriff Diana Simpson-Godfrey was under investigation but cleared for elections violations for creating a hostile workplace. For the most part “creating a hostile workplace” usually involves some sort of threatening behavior. This elections violation complaint was filed on behalf of Sgt. Loretta Robinson when the Undersheriff threatened her job accusing Robinson of supporting the other candidate. (Gazette-Times, January 2006). To clarify things, Sgt. Robinson was not a supporter of Simpson’s’ opponent in the race, but was remaining neutral at that time. Robinson’s complaint to Human Resources was summarily dismissed by County officials. A complaint such as this would normally be reviewed just by the Sheriff (a supporter of Undersheriff Simpson’s candidacy). Yet, in this case it went to Commissioner Jay Dixon, another supporter of Undersheriff Simpson. Is anyone surprised that it was resolved with simply an apology?
On personnel documents (considered private under law) Sgt. Jack Burright, the other candidate in the race, may have indicated that he graduated from High Corvallis High School. In reality he obtained a GED, which most thoughtful people recognize to be essentially equal to a diploma. He later obtained an undergraduate degree from an on-line University, thought it was valid, and used it in an application for a promotional opportunity. Once he learned it wasn’t valid he stopped using it. The Sheriff is referenced in the May 6th issue of the Gazette-Times that Sgt. Burright did not use it to obtain any benefits within the Sheriff’s Office, which should render the issue moot. Sgt. Burright has nearly completed a degree with an accredited University, doing so on a part-time basis. I think his effort to complete a degree is commendable, and demonstrates his tenacity and commitment to self-improvement.
The aspect giving me most concern is that Sheriff Swinyard was aware of the situation regarding Sgt. Burright a year ago and took no action -- until now. It was apparent that “Benton County’s top law enforcement official” did not deem this situation warranted an internal or criminal investigation, and it only became important as a political tool to support his candidate, eliminate any opposition to her candidacy (as it was too late for another candidate to file), destroy a person’s career, and heap enormous pain upon him and his family.
The Sheriff’s race has become, for lack of a better term, nasty. The morale of employees in the Sheriff’s office is at it’s lowest I’ve ever seen and is a factor in this race that is being overlooked and dismissed. The relationship between the deputies and the Sheriff and Undersheriff has deteriorated over the years, and has created a workplace that is even more challenging than would normally be expected in law enforcement. There has been a substantial increase in the number of labor related complaints filed by the Association and a recent employee lawsuit was settled for over $6000.00. Leadership of any organization requires balance and fairness, plus an ability to trust and support your staff. This is even more critical when managing men and women who face uncertainty and potential danger every time they respond to a request to help the citizens of our county.
The “leaders” of the Sheriff’s Office must address the needs and the overall morale of their employees, thus helping to ensure they are all providing the best service they can to the citizens. This support and sound management is absent today, and is very much apparent in the stand and support for Sgt. Burright that the Deputy Sheriff’s Association has taken.
Let the people of Benton County decide by their vote who will be the next Sheriff.
Dan Eastham, Patrol Sergeant, Retired (2006) Benton County Sheriff’s Office
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Outstanding letter... Now the question is will the Gazette-Times print it?? I doubt it which is sad.

Brett