MINNEAPOLIS — Editor's note: The attached story first aired on May 19, 2022
On Thursday the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners will vote on the censure of Sheriff Dave Hutchinson after allegations that he behaved in a "hostile and retaliatory" manner to people working in the sheriff's office.
According to the board, Hennepin County Administrators got a report on April 19, 2022, that Sheriff Hutchinson had been behaving in a hostile manner toward office personnel.
Two days later, on April 21, the sheriff and the office command staff were told an investigation would be conducted, looking into claims that the sheriff violated the county's non-discrimination and respectful workplace policy.
Hennepin County brought in a neutral investigator from outside the department to investigate and interview people working in the office, according to the Board of Commissioners. Hutchinson and his personal legal council were asked to participate in an interview, according to the county board, but the investigator did not receive a response.
The investigator reported a pattern of harassment and workplace bullying, including racist, sexist, harassing, bullying and retaliatory behavior, a document from the board said.
Based on these findings, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners resolved to censure Sheriff Hutchinson fully.
The board will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 8 to discuss the censure request.
Hutchinson is already working without pay after a vote by the Hennepin County Board at the beginning of November. The vote followed a suspension of Hutchinson's peace officer license in September by Minnesota's Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The suspension began on Nov. 22 and will last for 30 days.
These actions come more than a year after Hutchinson crashed a Hennepin County squad car near Alexandria while under the influence of alcohol.
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