The following statement was received from the Murray County Commissioners…
Today, the Murray County Commissioners have asked for the immediate resignation of the Murray County Sheriff based on an investigation into workplace harassment and a hostile work environment.
The County, as the employer, has a duty to protect its employees from hostile conduct and retaliation. As Sheriff Telkamp is an elected official, the County cannot terminate Sheriff Telkamp. However, the County board can ask Sheriff Telkamp to resign and have moved to do so.
Murray County retained investigator Michelle Soldo to conduct an independent investigation into the conduct of Sheriff Steve Telkamp. The investigation was initiated after video footage of disturbing behavior of the Sheriff was brought forward by a concerned employee. As the independent investigator noted in her report, the conduct in the video footage “does not depict an isolated incident but reflects a continuing pattern of aggressive, defiant, disrespectful, abusive, and threatening behavior that adversely impacts the work environment.”
Ms. Soldo’s report and findings speak for themselves in determining that Sheriff Telkamp’s actions created a hostile and retaliatory working environment. The report contains deeply troubling findings about his conduct in the workplace with respect to a number of employees.
Due to the investigator’s concerns about the Sherriff retaliating against the multiple employees who participated in the investigation, the report focuses only on the Sheriff’s conduct in video footage, which does not single out any one person.
Based on this thorough report, the Board felt that it needed to take this action today. The County Board is in the process of implementing measures to protect employees against retaliation, including the retaining of an operational director for the Sheriff’s Department. The County Board also expresses its appreciation for its employees who were willing to come forward in the interest of their workplace and community, and reminds employees that the Sheriff’s position in the only position that will have changes associated with it, as all other operations will remain the same.
A copy of the full report and video can be obtained by following the Murray County data practices procedures.
The county will not be making any further comments on this matter.
