Deputies Walk Off Job During Investigation Of Klamath County Sheriff Frank Skrah

Deputies walked off the job in Oregon after Sheriff Frank Skrah was asked to step down. About 20 percent of the deputies in the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office requested administrative leave while the Justice Department investigates their boss. Sheriff Skrah is being investigated on misconduct charges after allegations that he punched a handcuffed suspect surfaced.

Sheriff Frank Skrah was asked by the Klamath County Board of Commissioners to voluntarily take administrative leave until the Oregon Department of Justice completes the investigation, HNGN reports. A total of seven of the Oregon deputies walked off the job after taking non-disciplinary administrative leave. Becky Gallagher, a Klamath County Peace Officers Association representative, said the deputies were afraid of retaliation from the sheriff if they remained on duty.

“Placing these individuals on paid leave was done without consulting with me or my command staff,” Sheriff said. “I will do everything possible, together with my command staff to keep patrols operating for the benefit of the citizens of Klamath County,” Raw Story reports.

The Oregon county sheriff said in a statement that he still has not been informed about the particulars of the misconduct charges levied against him.

“One month later I still have not been advised as to the specific nature of that investigation nor have I been interviewed by representatives of the Oregon Department of Justice. I am learning more about the Oregon Department of Justice investigation and learning about an internal county investigation just like the rest of the public, from media reports.”

Sheriff Skrah reportedly spent 25 years with the Los Angeles Police Department before being elected sheriff of Klamath County in 2012.

“We believe it would be best for his office, best for community safety and best for Sheriff Skrah if he would go on administrative leave until the DOJ matter is resolved,” Kelley Minty Morris, a Klamath County Commissioner said, according to an Oregon Public Broadcasting report.

According to Gallagher, the Oregon DOJ interviewed the seven deputies during their investigation of Sheriff Skrah.

“There were concerns about workplace harassment and retaliation by the sheriff. So for their safety we sought protective leave. The county agreed and those deputies, who requested, were placed on paid administrative leave,” Gallagher added.

The county commissioners reportedly feel that if Skrah takes the administrative leave, the deputies will feel comfortable returning to their posts. At least one of the deputies that walked off the job filed a complaint against the sheriff with the Oregon Employment Relations Board.

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