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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 1, 2006 Winters: Phoenix officers return Monday By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune Police calls in Phoenix will be handled by sheriff’s deputies or Talent police until Monday, when the city’s officers will be cleared to return to work following an audit conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, officials said. "If you dial 9-1-1, you’re going to be taken care of," Sheriff Mike Winters said. "I don’t want people being scared." Winters pulled Phoenix officers off the street Wednesday night following a meeting with Mayor Vicki Bear and the City Council. He made the move to safeguard the city from possible liability issues that would arise if the officers aren’t up to date on their training. "People should start seeing the officers returning April 3," he said. Since taking over administrative duties following former police Chief Bob Kershaw’s resignation in the face of tampering and forgery charges, the Sheriff’s Department has been auditing the agency. Part of the process includes sifting through paperwork, making sure everything’s current and in order. Advertisement "We’re searching through a ton of records, looking to see if each employee’s files are in order," Winters said. "As soon as that process is done, we’ll get each Phoenix officer back out on the street." Winters said the officers spent Friday in the department helping sheriff’s lieutenants file documents and inventory evidence. Winters admitted the job of overseeing Phoenix police has been "more work than I thought", but, in the end, he believes the department will return to working order. "It would be irresponsible on my part to leave them without a command structure," he said. "And it takes time to reorganize a department from the bottom up." Kershaw, 64, was arrested Tuesday on charges of first-degree forgery, hindering prosecution, first-degree official misconduct, tampering with physical evidence and tampering with public records. The charges stemmed from his alleged attempt to cover-up criminal charges against his son. He was released on bail Tuesday night. The case began on Jan. 27 when a Phoenix officer was called to Kershaw's home in the 4300 block of Dark Hollow Road to help Talent police search for a missing juvenile believed to be at the residence. When officers arrived they found Andrew Kershaw, the chief's son and a Phoenix police community service officer; and Steven Odom, a Phoenix reserve officer, allegedly partying with several minors. Marijuana and alcohol were present, according to Winters. Kershaw reluctantly turned the case over to sheriff's detectives on Feb. 8, Winters said, after initially taking the lead on the investigation. They soon discovered the reports given to them were not the same reports made by the initial investigating officer. Kershaw allegedly made changes to the original report by deleting portions of the narrative implicating his son in criminal activity. No criminal charges against Andrew Kershaw or Odom have been filed. The case remains under investigation. Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail Winters: Phoenix officers return Monday ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Absinthe Supply Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Debt Consolidation California Casinos GMAT Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Hammocks Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada King of Spirits Email Security Advertisement s Advertisement