TCSO fires corrections deputy after intoxicated driving conviction

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The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) fired a corrections deputy convicted of intoxicated driving.

According to a post from the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, Washington State Patrol arrested the deputy for driving under the influence in the Olympia area last year. The deputy was convicted and took a plea deal for first-degree negligent driving.

Former Sheriff John Snaza’ administration completed an internal investigation into the matter in 2022 but left the disciplinary decision up to the administration of Sheriff Derek Sanders, TCSO said.

After a review, the Sanders administration decided to terminate the deputy, who had been with TCSO for five years, because it found probable cause for a DUI offense.

“TCSO cannot take a strong stance against intoxicated driving and subsequently retain employees who choose to drive intoxicated. Anything less than this standard would undermine public trust and confidence in our ability to serve,” the office said in a news release.

TCSO said it was not naming the deputy because the release was intended for informational and transparency purposes.

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  • FirstOtter

    Not naming the deputy isn't transparency, it's protecting. What happens if someone hires him as a private security officer and he drives drunk and kills someone?

    He should have been fired and I'm glad Sanders had the hunyocks to do so.

    Thursday, February 2, 2023 Report this