MEMO TO PUBLIC FROM SHERIFF HOLLINSHEAD

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

February 26, 2020

Elmore County has a policy that provides that “if an employee initiates candidacy against an incumbent Elected Official for whom he is a subordinate, and there is a ‘reasonable prediction of disruption’ in that Elected Official’s office, the employee shall immediately resign or face possible termination.” This is not a mandatory action, but each situation must be analyzed individually, considering the degree of disruption to the efficient operation of the public office environment.

I am aware of an Elmore County Sheriff’s Office employee who is actively campaigning for sheriff. At this time, it is not my intent to invoke this policy as to that employee. I prefer to take the high road and expect all involved to likewise act appropriately. It is expected that all office employees and any candidate employee are to not campaign or even discuss any election support of a candidate or solicit support while on duty, or in uniform, or in county buildings or vehicles.

Should any disruption to the workplace or concerns about actions by co-workers be reported to my administration that leads me to believe there is a “reasonable prediction of disruption” in the Sheriff Office, I will have no alternative but to invoke the policy and expect the candidate to do the right thing according to the policy.