Date of Offense
Statement
On March 7th, 2022, I was forced into an investigation after a worked related incident and was forced to interview in front of Captain Wells(Patrol)for over 6 hours with one 10/15 minute break. I was placed into an extreme hostile work environment. I was very scared and intimidated by Captain Wells, Major Collier and Sheriff Cutler allowing this abuse of power. 3 weeks prior, I was informed by LT Eric Wallen that Captain Keith Wells had made some discriminating and harassing statements towards me in a supervisor meeting with several supervisors in the room and he felt extremely uncomfortable. Captain Wells had also made subjective sexual gestures toward me while in business casual clothes. I reported this to the HR department and she did not investigate my claim and allowed the Major to “handle it” privately. No IA investigation was ever launched and no witnesses were interviewed. My claim went unwarranted, unfortunately. My IA investigation was extremely unprofessional, biased and completely nerve-wrecking. I was also injured in the line of duty during that work related incident. Someone at Pender County fabricated my paperwork and had my claim denied stating to Sedgwick and their Defense attorney that my incident was verbal only. As Shown on body camera there was an intense struggle on the ground with an armed subject. After meeting with a doctor, I was completely disabled by my physician for almost 4 months. Spinal surgery was needed for my injury and my claim continued to be denied. I was forced to resign in the middle of an investigation on March 18th, 2022 and my rights to due process were violated. Under law, you have to give an officer the opportunity to be heard if you are going to submit stigmatizing info to training and standards. I was never informed of any allegations prior to my dismissal. I even asked the sheriff prior to my departure and he stated I was a good deputy and he would not interfere with any jobs in the future. A few days later, I received my f-5 and I was marked untruthful with Unknown “allegations” for several months. Our paperwork was transmitted to training and standards with our informing us of any information and the sheriff’s Office and County failed to follow protocol with an opportunity to be heard, hence violating our rights. We were forced to have negative paperwork based upon one officer recollection that wasn’t on scene. Can submit documents upon request.
