WSOC-TV Channel 9 says it has asked the Iredell County Sheriff's Office why Deputy Ben Jenkins is still on active duty, despite a second woman now accusing him of sexual harassment. The news station says it will broadcast the story at noon and on its afternoon broadcasts, beginning at 5 p.m.
Updated after the noon broadcast: According to WSOC Channel 9, the Iredell County Sheriff's Office says "the lawsuit is in their attorney's hands." Of the ICSO, the news reporter said, "they refuse to comment." Click here to watch the noon broadcast.
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It's a shame every time I read about selective leniency like this. Here's a sheriff who's fired people over nothing in the past, yet refuses to fire this sexual predator. Looks like he's going to deserve everything coming his way...
I have seen this level of leniency exercised by NC State Officials from Chancellor, Provost, Directors, Managers and supervisors that make hasty decisions which cost the tax payers so much. Our taxes should not be used to pay people who are working the system for all it's worth. These people could never survive in the real world. I don't believe all officials are dirty just most of them. Why isn't there an honest State audit to get rid of the waste. Many people who have worked for local, county, and state agencies have been done wrong during this economic down turn. To those that have been done wrong hold your head high and move forward. Where is the integrity?
Where are the county commissioners? The reporter that runs this blog asked them for comment. Time for a follow up Ms Gatton and quickly before election day!
Ms. Gatton is doing more than her part. It is not her job to handle it all. It is the citizens of Iredell County that need to step up and do something. If the current status of the Sheriff’s Office upsets you, I recommend you contact your County Commissioners. It is not until the people speak up that something will be done.
Ken Robertson ken.robertson@dsm.com
Marvin Norman norman_marvin652@hotmail.com
Steve Johnson Johnsonspartssup@att.net
Frank Mitchell mitchellmachine@bellsouth.net
Renee Griffith rgriffith@co.iredell.nc.us
It's already been established that the commissioners do not respond to email. Call them on the numbers they have listed and call Ron Smith and Tracy Jackson as well. Be polite but firm. There is a commissioners office as well.
I had a conversation today with a trusted attorney that has dealt with governmental law issues with counties and municipalities across the state and he had some interesting tidbits.
He believes that the BOC is virtually powerless to intervene with any quality measures to bring Redmond in line and force change. Under several chapters in state law and past case law, the sheriff is basically untouchable as to how he runs his agency. He can basically hire and fire with little threat of issue as long as he does not violate discrimination laws dealing with sex, race, religion,age etc. The US Supreme Court has concurred that sheriff's have the "right" to have personnel they deem "loyal" working for them to a point but it is hard to make a case that a sheriff has crossed the line.
Althought the BOC control the funding and money given to the sheriff, they are powerless to refuse to fund a "particular person" that a sheriff chooses to hire. They can unfund a position but not a specific person which prevents the county manager or BOC from firing Jenkins or anyone else in the SO on their own although they have authority over other county employees not covered under the State Personnel Act like DSS and some health department employees.
As much as I hate to say it but it seems that until there is enough under NC law to remove him legally only the voters can get rid of him and he has stayed one step ahead of the voters.
My friend did suggest one way to get rid of Jenkins and other underlings. He suggested filing complaints with the Sheriffs Standards and Training and attempt to have them removed administratively and civilly through suspension or revoking their certification for immoral conduct and "conduct that brings the character of the individual in question". This is ultimately handled by the Attorney General's office and bypasses the SBI that seems to be loathe to investigating Redmond. This can be time consuming and does not take place overnight but it could ultimately be used to make sure people like Jenkins never wear a badge again.
Excuse my ignorance, we are not all familiar with county lingo and shorthand, but what is a BOC?
I think the thing is to make this so uncomfortable for the commissioners and others that they have to deal with it. Continue to call them and the county offices. Write letters to the editor and continue to contact the media outlets.
In other words, be the squeaky wheel but again, be reasoned about it.
May 2, 2012 9:00 PM said... "He suggested filing complaints with the Sheriffs Standards and Training and attempt to have them removed administratively and civilly through suspension or revoking their certification for immoral conduct and "conduct that brings the character of the individual in question".
Fat chance of that. I believe it was Sheriffs Standards and Training that cleared Tommy Adams of any wrong doing when he kept two confiscated firearms.
Redmond has a very deep support network. At this point I no longer have any hope that Sheriffs Standards and Training, the S.B.I., Roy Cooper or anyone else will do anything against Redmond. One can only speculate as to why they appear to be so loyal to a man that consistently mocks the legal system and the public. Even our BOC seems unwilling to at least issue a blanket statement to share their opinion on Redmond's questionable conduct. His continual refusal to be available to answer to the public and now the media should, in itself be suspicious and disturbing.
Again, the focus of all energy need not go towards the BOC or officer misconduct. The focus needs to go towards Phillip Redmond. The problems that are surfacing are the symptoms, Redmond is the cause. If trust in the Sheriffs Office is to be restored, Redmond has to be convinced to step down or be removed.
Someone suggested in a previous post that I am just now addressing issues on this blog and haven't tried to do anything until now. That would be bullshit. Unfortunately I have run into dead ends every direction I have gone. One example; I requested a Federal investigation of a matter a long time ago but was told that the statute of limitations had run out. I told the agent that this was a felony and there was no statute of limitations on a felony. He answered that there was on this. I have yet to meet someone that knew of a felony case that had an expiration date.
The public is just now getting a small glimpse of how Redmond operates and how untouchable he seems to be, something that many of us have seen for years. For those of us who have been trying to make things right, it is at least encouraging that Redmond's true colors are finally showing.
May 3, 2012 12:24 AM Sorry about using abbreviations - course of habit. BOC = Board of Commissioners
No, sorry, 10:07, I was temporarily struck ignorant. I did figure it out. I am so used to calling them the county commissioners that I thought you might be referring to something else, like, gasp, a board of conduct. LOL. That would be something that would need 100 members on overtime around here.
Ben Jenkins is still working in the field per the Sheriff's office 5/4/12
Call them yourself to see...704/878-3180
Did y'all see "60 Minutes" tonight? They had a story about a crooked sheriff in Kentucky and how a couple of young and inexperienced journalists took his arrogant ass down. There were some chilling similarities to a certain sheriff we all know. I believe you can watch it online.
Ben Jenkins is working in the field OR "playing" the field??? lol!!!
This case involving Redmond/Jenkins is "A Grain of Sand" in a massive desert compared to what took place on Lake Norman, 294 Tenn. Circle.My home was set afire and Robin White "COOKED Alive" and the "ONLY" people I can put in my home,on my property, with Robin are Ire. Co. Sheriff Deputies.I have been seeking help for 4yrs.+.Robins Death Still Pending,Open to Investigation. Ch9,3,14,Charlotte Ob.R&L have all failed.To see/Hear/proof of Arson/Murder Cover-Up contact Britt Walden.
This case involving Redmond/Jenkins is "A Grain of Sand" in a massive desert compared to what took place on Lake Norman, 294 Tenn. Circle.My home was set afire and Robin White "COOKED Alive" and the "ONLY" people I can put in my home,on my property, with Robin are Ire. Co. Sheriff Deputies.I have been seeking help for 4yrs.+.Robins Death Still Pending,Open to Investigation. Ch9,3,14,Charlotte Ob.R&L have all failed.To see/Hear/proof of Arson/Murder Cover-Up contact Britt Walden.
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