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KLAMATH COUNTY Embattled sheriff calls for deputies to give up badges Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 27, 2015 at 9:52 AM Updated at 6:50 PM Posted Aug. 27, 2015 at 9:52 AM Updated at 6:50 PM » Social News The Associated Press KLAMATH FALLS — Klamath County Sheriff Frank Skrah is not responding to a call from county commissioners that he go on leave pending the outcome of a criminal investigation of him by the state Attorney General's Office. Instead, on Thursday he released a copy of a letter he sent to the county's lawyer suggesting patrol deputies who asked to be put on leave over alleged retaliation by him should give up their badges and guns, because he can't properly supervise them. He also said neither he nor any of his deputies have been involved in any misconduct requiring disciplinary action. Earlier this week the state Department of Justice said it was conducting a criminal investigation on Skrah, but wouldn't say what it was about. He has not been charged. Klamath County officials said Wednesday they encouraged Skrah to place himself on administrative leave in the midst of ongoing local and state Department of Justice investigations involving him. During a press briefing Wednesday afternoon, Commissioner Kelley Minty Morris said her board asked Skrah to temporarily step aside, saying commissioners felt this would be appropriate under current circumstances. “The commissioners have made a request for the sheriff to go on a voluntary leave,” said Minty Morris. “Keep in mind, the sheriff is an independently elected public official and it's up to him whether or not he wants to do that. The board of commissioners cannot dictate what he does.” “However,” she continued, “we feel, in this situation, it would be best for the sheriff and for his office for him to consider going on an administrative leave.” If he did leave, that would allow seven deputies to return to work. They took a voluntary leave claiming they fear retribution from Skrah as part of the DOJ investigation. The press briefing coincided with the releasing of a series of letters between Skrah, the commissioners and County Counsel David Groff, which had previously been protected by attorney-client privilege. Commissioners voted unanimously to make the letters public in the interest of transparency. “I think the citizens deserve to have this information,” said Board Chair Tom Mallams. “Everybody's curious. Everybody wants to know some answers.” The letters explain that seven deputies placed on “non-disciplinary paid administrative leave” since the end of last week are claiming Skrah “harassed, interfered with and retaliated against” them for alleged whistleblowing activities by the deputies. “In light of these allegations, we feel it is important to remind you that Klamath County does not tolerate retaliation against individuals or employees who bring forth a complaint or participate in an investigation, and that 'whistleblower' statutes provide specific protections under Oregon law,” read one letter dated Aug. 21 to Skrah from Groff. The letters noted the county was not attempting to validate the allegations against Skrah and said such correspondence was meant to help protect Skrah and the country from further legal claims. Just before noon Wednesday, Skrah issued a press release saying he was aware of the DOJ investigation but had not been informed of its details and had yet to be interviewed by DOJ officials. He also said the action of placing deputies on leave caused his patrol staff to be “cut in half,” saying this places a significant burden on his department. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 27, 2015 at 9:52 AM Updated at 6:50 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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