Wash. Supreme Court published opinion — 989681.pdf

Citation: Wash. Supreme Court published opinion — 989681.pdf
Jurisdiction: Washington (state)
Source: Official source
Original Source: https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/989681.pdf ↗

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sheriff’s question that “I was facing discipline to include demotion or termination

and that I had no choice but to provide the Sheriff with an answer.” Id.

According to Commander Caughey, he told the sheriff that Lieutenant

Magnuson had filed a complaint and again insisted the discussion could violate the

policy or state law. Following this encounter, Commander Caughey documented

this interaction in an e-mail to human resources. Later that same day, the sheriff

held another meeting with Commander Law and Commander Caughey in which he

repeatedly attempted to coerce the commanders into revealing the contents of the

complaint. He also stressed loyalty and commitment to him and repeatedly

referenced demoting and firing in relationship to loyalty to him. Commander Law

linked these concepts to the complaint.

Under the policy,

[e]mployees are encouraged to report discrimination and harassment
at the earliest possible time. Complaints may be made either verbally
or in writing. Complaints are to be made in good faith. Benton County
protects the confidentiality of discrimination and harassment
complaints to the extent possible. If necessary, complaints may be
made anonymously and will be investigated if sufficient information
for an investigation is provided.

Id. at 293. Further, as indicated in ballot synopsis charge 3, any sort of retaliation,

including adverse treatment that is likely to deter individuals from engaging in

protected behaviors, is prohibited. This includes hostility toward complainants and

participants.

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For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.
In re Recall Charges Against Benton County Sheriff Gerald D. Hatcher,
No. 98968-1

Voters could certainly find that Sheriff Hatcher’s conduct violated the