ENFORCEMENT DEBATE CONTINUES Clay Commissioners Want Sheriff To Do His Job
Reported by: Kallie Cart
Web Producer: Kallie Cart, Bethany Simmons
Reported: Feb. 22, 2012 11:17 AM EST
Updated: Feb. 22, 2012 6:17 PM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Clay
, West Virginia
Clay County Commissioners have stepped in to try and force the county's Sheriff to do his job.
Sheriff Randy Holcomb issued a letter last Friday saying his office would no longer conduct traffic stops, including DUI arrests because a majority of the cases are being thrown out. He blames an assistant prosecutor. The sheriff was also upset because WV State Police moved about 17 miles outside of the town of Clay. Deputies now have to drive anyone arrested for DUI to the new headquarters to use the intoxi-meter. Sheriff Holcomb says that puts his officers in danger. In the letter he says his officers will still respond to calls and do their constitutional duties.
The commission on Wednesday said they are ready to file a writ of mandamus, or an order, to force the sheriff to perform all the duties he's expected to do. They also have worked out an agreement with State Police to install an intox-meter in Clay and maintain it. They are also working with the prosecutor to resolve the other issues.
Sheriff Holcomb says he had done everything he could think of to get results and the letter was the last result and says he would have written it sooner had he known he would have gotten help so quickly. He also says he's not giving up his fight until he sees results from the prosecutor's office.
The commissioners also say they are ready to take further action against the sheriff if their initial plan doesn't get results but wouldn't elaborate on what the further action would be.
Stayed tuned to Eyewitness News for the latest on this developing story.
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