THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — A Thurston County patrol deputy was fired from his position Tuesday, Sept. 15, after failing to investigate a domestic violence incident.
According to a press release by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO), the deputy’s failure to report the incident came up during an investigation to find a missing woman.
That investigation started on July 14, and throughout the process, they discovered the deputy’s bodycam footage from July 12.
The bodycam video showed the deputy reporting to a domestic violence call with the missing woman, according to TCSO. Upon arriving at the scene, the woman reported to the deputy that she had been assaulted and threatened by her partner.
Instead of investigating, the deputy left, did not write a case report, and, in their call log, noted that they “spoke with [involved party] who stated no assault, no property damage, no threats,” according to the TCSO.
The woman went missing two days after that incident, but she was later found July 15.
After watching the deputy’s video during their investigation, the TCSO found the deputy’s log to be false. The deputy was then placed on “administrative leave” for “failing to investigate a domestic violence incident and misrepresenting material information,” according to TCSO.
TCSO says those claims were true and proceeded to fire the deputy.
“It is the expectation of Thurston County Sheriff’s Office that employees fully investigate and accurately document incidents of domestic violence as set forth by RCW, case law, policy, and ethics,” the TCSO wrote in a news release.
The deputy is fighting the termination, as an organization representing them has filed a grievance to reinstate deputy.