Klamath Falls, Ore. – Eight Klamath County Sheriff’s Deputies are on voluntary paid leave tonight…as the result of an Oregon Department of Justice investigation.
Klamath County Commissioner Kelley Minty Morris confirmed Monday morning that the deputies requested to be placed on leave…
“Yes. Klamath County, as per their request, has placed 6 deputies on paid, non-disciplinary leave as of today.”
Kristina Edmunson of the Oregon Department of Justice has confirmed that there is an open investigation surrounding Klamath County Sheriff Frank Skrah.
Commissioner Morris: “We have at one point been made aware that there is a Department of Justice investigation. However, we know of none of the details of that investigation.”
Sheriff Frank Skrah hasn’t returned our calls asking for comment.
Commissioner Morris points out that Skrah is still in charge of his office…
“Klamath County is not the manager, so to speak, of the Klamath County Sheriff. He has again, vast discretion in how he manages the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office.”
Morris adds that she doesn’t think having so many deputies on leave will jeopardize public safety…
“Public safety is our number one priority. So we will continue to assess the situation, as it moves forward with the spirit and mindset that we need to be protecting the public at all cost.”
As of Monday evening, there are a total of 8 deputies that have requested, and been placed on leave.
Commissioner Morris adds that since the situation involves personnel issues, the county cannot give details or comment on the reasons the deputies requested administrative leave.
We’ll have more on this breaking story as more information is made available.
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