memo

To:

Undersheriff Brian Edwards

From:

Sergeant Rob Lillard

Date:

August 12, 2009

Subject: Special Investigation

TULSA COUNTY
SHERIFF'S OFFICE

On July 27, 2009 at your request I began to conduct a special
investigation. As per your instructions, the investigation
consisted of two specific inquiries:
1. Was Reserve Deputy Robert Bates treated differently
· - -than other Reserve Deputies-in the-past-Specificatty any
Ex-Officers that were brought on the Reserve Program.
2. Was any pressure ·exerted on any employees by
supervisors to aid Reserve Deputy Bates in this regard.
To accomplish these tasks I collected and conducted research
from July 27 to August 05,2009 which consisted of the
following:
1. All Reserve files ofEx/Officers brought on
2. All training files of the same officers
3. All hiring files of the same officers including entry
tests, oral boards, and MMPI testing.
4. All personnel files of same officers
5. All applicable policy and proceduTe pertainiri.g to the
Reserve Program/Levels of status-training required
6. All applicable CALEA requirements for the Reserve
Program
I also conducted interviews of office personnel who may have
had contact with supervisors.
Investigation

It should be noted that all documents reviewed consisted of
requirements put into place by CALEA in 2000. Prior to this

 •'

tliere were no specific requirements and therefore did not apply to this investigation. The
documentation provided the following:
Policy

Policy 16-04 Reserve Deputy Program states "The candidates for reserve deputy positions
must meet the same selection criteria as full-time deputies. Refer to policy 4-02, Selection,
and policy 4-04, training Organization and Administration, regarding selection and training".
Policy 4-02 Application selection states "Candidates selection elements will include written
examinations and physical agility testing, background investigation, oral interviews, preemployment physical and drug screen, and psychological exam. Policy 16-04 further states
the classifications and requirements of the three different levels of reserve deputy statusBasic- CLEET Basic Reserve Classification of 240 hours or equivalent certification
recognized by CLEET(Previously certified by CLEET as a peace officer), IntermediateHaving met the Basic requirements and having a CLEET Flying Armed Certificate and a
minimum of 40 hours of previous transportation experience under the direct supervision of a
certified deputy, and advanced- having met the Basic and advanced requirements and "Will
complete _and dQcument480 hours of the TCSO Field Training
- ---It should be noted that the advanced Classification reserve deputy is the only Reserve
Classification that may perform normal field duties by themselves without the direct
supervision of a certified deputy.
Reserve Roster

The current roster included fifteen Reserve deputies who fall into the category of Ex-Officer
(Having fulfilled the Basic requirement by policy). Of the fifteen six are listed as Basic,
three are listed as Intermediate, and six are listed as Advanced. Of the six that are listed as
Advanced, only three were brought on after the year 2000 in which the policy requirements
and CALEA were in place and should have met all the policy requirements including
Reserve Deputy Robert Bates for a total of four.
Personnel, Training, and Reserve Files

Of the four mentioned above, a check of the related files revealed the following:
That this office has failed to comply with written policy regarding testing, background
investigation, oral boards, psychological testing, and field training requirements. Some of
the four Reserve Deputies have been subject to some of the requirements, but not all.
Specifically, given the inconsistencies of our practices Reserve Deputy Bates was not shown
favor in the selection process. With regard to training, however a review of the files shows
that Reserve Deputy Joe Walker is in the process of attaining the required documented 480
Field Training Hours for Advanced status. Walker began the process on February 05, 2008
and has documented 199 Y2 hours. Walker was a previous Police Officer from 1971 to

 1989( 18 years). Whereas, Reserve Deputy Robert Bates began the process of attaining the
required documented Field training hours for Advanced status on February 05, 2009 and
completed the process via a letter written by Corporal Warren Crittenden on May 13, 2009
wherein he was credited with completing 328 hours. To this point, Bates only acquired 72
documented hours. Bates was a previous Police Officer from 1963 to 1964(1 year).
Interviews
Bonnie Fiddler
On August 13, 2009 I conducted a tape recorded interview with Employee Bonnie Fiddler of
the training department in the Internal Affairs office. Fiddler provided the following:

When asked if anyone representing staff or supervisors had placed any undue pressure on
her to do anything she would not have normally done in reference to Reserve Deputy Bates,
she replied ''No, other than Chief Albin instructing me to make a certificate for driver
training for Reserve Deputy Bates". Fiddler stated that she did not believe that Bates
completed the training. That this was not normal for Chief Albin to ask her to make a
certificate and the only time he has _asked her to do so. Fiddler stated that instructors ask her
all the time to produce certificates for students. When asked if Albin was an instructor
would this have been abnormal for him to ask her to make the certificate, Fiddler replied
"No". Fiddler sated that she just made the certificate and did not question the order. Fiddler
stated that there had been no other instances where she felt any pressure by staff or
supervisors. Fiddler stated that she thought Sergeant Randy Chapman may have been a
victim of pressure for enforcing the policies to Reserve Deputy Bates over bates not
qualifying at the range. That Chapman stated to her that her got "Chewed out for this and
threatened of a transfer over Reserve Deputy Bates. When asked when she was approached
by Chief Albin did Albin do or say anything indicating the certificate was wrong, Fiddle
stated "No it was just odd that he would ask because he hangs out with Bates and having the
knowledge about Chapman's interactions". Fiddler stated that she did not have anything to
do with the Reserves other than sending notices for training. Fiddler could provide no
further.
Corporal Warren Crittenden
On August 14, 2009 I conducted a tape recorded interview with Corporal Warren Crittenden
of the Uniformed Operations Division in the Internal Affairs office. Crittenden provided the
following:

When asked if anyone representing staff or supervisors had placed any undue pressure on
him to do anything he would not have normally done in reference to Reserve Deputy Bates,
he replied "Yes I felt pressured". Crittenden stated he was assigned to field train Bates.
That in doing so he was to produce daily observation reports on Bates up to 480 hours of
training. Crittenden stated that Chief Albin and Captain Hucke by towards the end of the
training approached him and informed him that the training was on a timeline and should be

 completed by a certain time. That the Chief and Captain have never approached him while
he was training any other officer and that this was abnormal. Neither the Chief nor Captain
told him why the training had to be completed by the timeline. That the Chief and Captain
would continually come to him pressuring him about the training timeline informing him
that it would be completed by the timeline. That he informed both the Chief and Captain
that he was required to complete the training as per policy-the complete time. That the Chief
and Captain came to him and told him that Bates needed to complete 320 hours of the
program, although he knew the policy stated 480 hours of training. That Captain Huckeby
approached him more times than Chief Albin who only approached him a couple of times.
That Captain Huckeby was aggressive/forceful in telling him "This will be done," referring
to the training timeline. That he wrote a memorandum at the end of the 328 hours to
conclude the training of Reserve Deputy Bates. Crittenden was then shown two
memorandums apparently written by him in reference to Reserve Deputy Bates, he stated
that he did not write either of them. That he does not know who prepared the
memorandums, but he was given them by Captain Huckeby and told to initial them. That he
signed the memorandums because he was afraid of trouble like a transfer if he did not. That
the original memo he wrote basically stated that Bates had received 328 hours of training
and that w:as all it stated. That whe_n Huckeby brought him the others, Huckeby_stated that
his memorandum was re-written better than what he had written and included the additional
information. At this time I read both memorandums to Crittenden. Specifically the part of
one where it states "Reserve Deputy R. Bates has successfully completed the
aforementioned program. It is my opinion that Reserve Deputy R. Bates is capable of
performing the functions of a patrol Deputy". When asked if he agreed with this statement,
Crittenden stated ''No ....Deputy Bates ... I would have asked him to do remedial training
after the 328 hours ... he deals with people and geography ok. .. but not really good at traffic
stops or operations". When asked if Bates was capable of functioning in the field,
Crittenden stated ''Nope". When asked about the other memorandum which stated "As you
are aware Bob Bates is a former Tulsa Police Officer, he brings to the Tulsa County
Sheriffs Office a wealth ofknowledge, and experience in the field oflaw enforcement. I
have personally observed Bob Bates in the field and have spoken with others in reference
too Bates's progress. I am confident that his progress is such that there is no need for him
to continue with the remaining amount ofFTO time. I am respectfully requesting that
based on the outstanding ability that Reserve Deputy Bates has shown while working in
the field that he be granted his advanced Reserve status". When asked if he agreed with
these statements, Crittenden stated "No ... I did not write that". At this time I informed
Crittenden that I was only able to locate eight (8) daily observation reports on Reserve
Deputy Bates which amounted to 72 hours of training and only one was written by him. I
also informed him that did not equal328 hours of training of which in his original
memorandum he stated that Bates received. Crittenden stated that he had documented all
328 hours and was told to give the reports to Captain Huckeby, by Captain Huckeby. That
this was not normal with the FTO process. That usually the completed forms are turned to
the Reserve Coordinator. That when Huckeby told him to give the forms to him, Huckeby
stated that he would give the forms to Chief Albin and that Albin would give them to the

 Reserve Coordinator. That within the reports he believed he noted deficiencies and stated
that he believed that Reserve Deputy Bates needed additional training. Crittenden stated that
of the 328 hours bates completed with him, he would not have signed off on him as ready.
That he would have given him to another FTO and discussed any deficiencies, but would not
have completed a final sign off. That he let Captain Huckeby know that Bates should not be
allowed to take calls or stop cars by himself and Captain Huckeby stated, "Don't worry all
he is going to do is back". That he found out later Bates was operating as a normal field
trained Deputy. That this concerned him. That he then told Captain Huckeby of this and
Huckeby told him "It is your job to keep an eye on him". Crittenden stated he was
apprehensive about talking to this office about this. That he believes he might be subjected
to a transfer and this is why he did not bring this information to this office before.
Crittenden stated that during all that time, Chief Albin and Captain Huckeby acted like it
was a personal thing about what the reserve coordinator was doing with Bates. Specifically,
he overheard Albin and Hucke by talking about Randy Chapman at which time he heard
something like "I can't believe he's going against us ... does he not know that you're a
Captain and I'm a Chief." That this occurred when Chapman attempted to follow policy
regarding Bates. Crittenden could provide no further.
Sergeant Eric Kitch

On August 17, 2009 I conducted_a tape recorded interview with Sergeant Eric Kitch of the
Field Support Unit in the Internal Affairs Office. Kitch provided the following:
That he was not the subject of any pressure to advance the career or aid Reserve Deputy
Bates. That he has not been asked to do or forced to do anything to aid Reserve Deputy
bates. That he did write memorandums to the CALEA file about Bates' hiring practicespecifically, that Bates did not complete an entry test or MMPI as stated by policy. That
Captain Merchant and Chief Albin are his supervisors. That Reserve Deputy Bates met the
qualifications of the Basic and Intermediate levels of the reserve program. That when Bates
started operating at the advanced level, several other reserves voiced their concerns. That he
then voiced these concerns to this supervisors and did not receive any response. That he
then documented the CALEA memorandums about this. That again, no response when he
submitted the memorandums. That he prepared and then sent Bates a suspension letter along
with eighteen other reserve deputies for failing to meet firearm qualifications (Not
attending). That the letter(s) were approved prior to being sent out by Captain Merchant.
That as a result of Bates receiving the letter, Bates contacted Captain Huckeby who in tum
contacted Chief Albin who then informed him that this was some type of harassment . That
after this Bates eventually went to the training. That this has not occurred with any other
reserve or subordinate under him. That the conflict arose out of the letter being sent out.
That Bates is currently operating at an Advanced status. That he did not have any
documentation of Bates having received the required 480 hours of Field Training to achieve
this status. That he received was a memorandum written by Corporal Warren Crittenden.
That he doubts the training that Bates received because there are no records or Daily
Observation Reports. That usually when a reserve reaches advanced, it is approved by a

 ·.
Captain and a Chief and he has received no such notification to promote Bates to Advanced
status. That he was informed by Chief Albin that he and Sergeant Chapman were no longer
to supervise Bates. That Bates would report directly to him and that the two should have no
contact with Bates. That Chief Albin advised him that Bates felt intimidated by him and that
Chapman harassed him. That he received concerns form patrol officers about how Bates
operated in the field. That Bates did his own thing and only answered to Chief Albin. That
one incident in particular showed Bates' lack of training. That this incident involved bates ·
attempting to conduct a traffic stop and subsequently getting into an argument with the
dispatcher based upon his inability to communicate with the dispatcher. That this inability is
usually corrected in the first phase of the Field Training Program (Radio Traffic/usage).
That based upon this, he believes there may be more problems because this was a basic
function of the training. That he feels that both Bates and the office would have benefited by
Bates actually completing and documenting the training process. That bates has only one
year of police experience and this occurred forty plus years ago. That Chief Albin stated to
him in reference to this "Sometimes you have to eat shit ... but you don't have to develop a
taste for it". That another time when bates was insubordinate to Chapman, Chief Albin
stated to him "You can be right but don't say anything about it". That all this surrounding
and that this type of attention form the Chief has not occurred with any
other reserve deputy. Kitch could provide no further
Captain Tom Huckeby
On August 18, 2009 Undersheriff Brian Edwards conducted a tape recorded interview with
Captain Tom Huckeby of the Uniformed Operations Division in the Internal Affairs Office.
Prior to conducting the interview, Captain Huckeby was read notification of Administrative
Investigation by Edwards and subsequently signed the form. It should be noted that a tape
malfunction occurred during the recording, Huckeby provided the following:

That he oversees the Field Training Program and has no responsibilities pertaining to the
Reserve Deputy Program. That he was instructed by Chief Tim Albin to re-write a
memorandum written by Corporal Warren Crittenden to include comments that were made
between Albin, Hucke by and Crittenden during a meeting about Reserve Deputy Bates'
Field training status. That he revised the original memorandums produced by Crittenden and
subsequently had Crittenden initial the new memorandums. That he did not intend to do
anything underhanded or unethical, but merely added the information about Bates that was
discussed in a meeting and instructed by Albin, produced the memorandum , and had
Crittenden sign it. That did not receive any Daily Observation Reports. Huckeby could
provide no further.

 lrlvestiga tor Notes
It should be noted that during this point in the investigation, I was informed of other acts of
intimidation on employees committed by Captain Huckeby while this investigation was
being conducted, as well as a past incident which resurfaced with the return of an employee
from leave by Chief Deputy Michelle Robinette.
Chief Michelle Robinette
On August 21,2009 Chief Robinette provided this office with a memorandum with
attachments documenting various incidents depicting recent intimidation by Captain
Huckeby. The attaclunents were written by Sergeant Shannon Clark, Deputy Michael
Moore, and Deputy Skee Olmstead. Later this same date, I conducted a tape recorded
interview with Robinette who provided the following:
That during a recent investigation of a non related matter, she discovered possible
intimidation by Captain Huckeby to Sergeant Shannon Clark. She found this while being
informed by Sergeant Clark that Deputy Allen Lansdown was returning form a leave of ..
absence. That Clark informed her that prior to Lansdown leaving the first time, he was
assigned to the Marshall's Unit under him. That Lansdown had asked Clark for two days off
prior to the leave beginning to complete a physical, which Clark granted. That Clark stated
that Lansdown did not come back or inform him of anything and then began his year leave
of absence. That there was approximately a two week period between this and the leave
beginning. Clark told her that sometime later he learned form Sergeant Stevens and Captain
Huckeby that Lansdown was already overseas and that his leave of absence was approved.
That Clark then informed his supervisor Captain Rudy Freese who suggested that he write
up a "No call No Show based upon the two week period when Lansdown did not call or
inform. That during her conversation with Clark, he indicated to her that Huckeby addressed
the matter with him stating "It would be a chicken shit thing for you to do". That at this
time Huckeby was no longer working at the jail and should have had no involvement in the
matter. That she felt from the conversation that Clark was intimidated by Huckeby to not
complete the "No Call No Show" letter. That Huckeby also told Clark "It did not matter
anyway because the Sheriff has already approved the leave". That she was unsure if Clark
reported his conversation with Huckeby to Freese. That Clark told her about this because
Lansdown has now returned to work and he is concerned that Huckeby may intervene on
Lansdown's behalf again. That she felt Clark was pressured by Huckeby. That this all arose
because Lansdown was back and that Huckeby had promised him his original job back upon
his return. That at the time this happened, Huckeby was sharing an apartment with
Lansdown. That she had Clark and the others write a memorandum about the events and
forward the memorandums to this office. Robinette could provide no further.

 ·.

Sergeant Shannon Clark
Sergeant Clark produced a memorandum to Chief Robinette at her request. The
memorandum was listed as confidential and provided the following:
That approximately two weeks prior, he was informed by Deputy Michael Moore that he had
a disturbing event with Captain Huckeby. That Moore told him that in the past Captain
Huckeby has called him to fill his shifts on a part time job with very little notice on his days
off. That Moore could not fill the shift because he was watching his child, Huckeby told
Moore it was his responsibility to find someone to fill the shift. Moore stated to him that he
would do so reluctantly to keep Huckeby form being angered at him. Moore told him that
when he was summoned to his FTO meeting with Huckeby, Huckeby was making
statements as to what type of absences would not be tolerated in the program. That at this
time Huckeby directed his attention at Moore and stated in front of other subordinates child
care issues/absences would not be tolerated. Moore told him this made him very
_uncomfortable as well as embittered with Huckeby and the FTO-PFogram. Moore told him
that he has not missed work or had child care issues interfere with his assignments. That
Moore felt Huckeby was retaliating at him for not ftlling the part time job. Moore also
stated that he feared going to the FTO Program because Huckeby might tarnish his
reputation because of not filling the part time job.
Clark stated that on August 20, 2009 he was approached by Deputy Skee Olmstead on an
unrelated matter when 0 lmstead informed him that she wished to come back to the jail.
That he inquired why she said this and Olmstead stated that Huckeby was messing with her
since she would not cover his part time jobs. Olmstead told him that one afternoon she went
to Huckeby's office at which time he asked her to cover a part time job. That the job started
fifty minutes from the conversation and she had not completed her duty reports so she told
him she could not cover the job. That Huckeby became visibly irritated, and then a short
time later insisted on seeing her FTO notebook. That Huckeby became critical of her notes
and began to smell the note pages commenting on her smoking. Clark stated he then asked
her if she had informed anybody about this and Olmstead replied that she could not talk to
anyone because Huckeby would fmd out and she would be punished. Clark asked her why
she did not speak with Sergeant Tapper her previous Sergeant. Olmstead told him that a few
weeks back, Tapper had called Corporal Estes and inquire about how she was doing in the
program. Olmstead stated the very next day she was called into Huckeby's office and told
only to report to those in her FTO chain of command. That Huckeby also suggested that she
have no contact with anyone in the jail until the completion of the program. Clark stated that
based upon these two incidents he reported them the Chief Robinette.

 On August 21, 2009 I conducted a tape recorded interview with Sergeant Shannon Clark in
the Internal Affairs Office. Clark provided the following:
That he was informed recently that Deputy Allen Lansdown was returning from a leave of
absence. That the leave of absence concluded in July and he had concerns because
Lansdown was his subordinate when he left. That he expressed dissatisfaction to Chief
Robinette because of this and that it had happened in the past prior to his leave. That prior
to the leave, he was over the Marshalls Program and that Captain Huckeby was no longer at
the jail. That Lansdown had asked him for two days off prior to the leave beginning to
complete a physical, which he granted. That he stated Lansdown did not come back or
inform him of anything and then began his year leave of absence. That there was
approximately a two week period between this and the leave beginning. That sometime later
he learned form Sergeant Stevens and Captain Huckeby that Lansdown was already overseas
and that his leave of absence was approved. That he then informed his supervisor Captain
Rudy Freese who suggested that he write up a "No call No Show based upon the two week
period when Lansdown did not call or inform. That he indicated Huckeby addressed the
matter with him stating "It would be a chicken shit thing for you to do". That at this time
Huckeby was no longer working at the jail and should have had no involvement in the
matter. That he felt intimidated/pressured by Huckeby to not complete the ''No Call No
Show" letter because Huckeby shared a residence with Lansdown at the time. That Huckeby
also told him "It did not matter anyway because the Sheriff has already approved the leave",
implying that nothing would be done if he produced the letter. That he felt that had he
produced the letter there would have been retribution by Huckeby to him about it. That
since Lansdown was coming back, he felt the issue might arise again involving Huckeby and
so he informed Robinette. That he approached Robinette with the incidents with Deputies
Olmstead and Moore and informed her of the Lansdown incident as well. That he had
Deputies Olmstead and Moore produce memorandums about the incidents. That he feared
the relationship that Huckeby has with Lansdown and so he brought the information forward
because Lansdown manipulated the situation in the beginning and he believes he will do so
upon his return. Clark could provide no further.
Sergeant Randy Chapman
On August 26, 2009 I conducted a tape recorded interview with Sergeant Randy Chapman in
the Internal Affairs Office. Chapman provided the following:

That Reserve Deputy Bates became a Reserve deputy without his knowledge. That he is the
Reserve coordinator and should have known this. That he assigned Bates his equipment and
explained the rules to Bates as they pertained to the program as far as the different levels of
Reserve status. That it came to his attention that Bates was driving a personally owned car
with police equipment prior to achieving the necessary level to do so. That he brought this
to the attention of Chief Tim Albin and Albin stated to him "This is a shit sandwich and you

 will just have to eat it but not acquire a taste for it". That at this time, the vehicle Bates was
driving did not belong to the county it was a personal vehicle. That later Bates did donate
the vehicle to the county and subsequently Bates was assigned this vehicle. That no other
reserve Deputy is assigned a vehicle. That Bates has not followed the policies about the use
of the vehicle in sitting the vehicle down during vacation times. That he brought this to the
attention of Chief Albin who told him just to let it go. That Bates then wanted to get in the
FTO program to achieve the level at which he could stop vehicles and do patrol functions on
his own. That there has been problems in the past of Reserves not having to have met the
requirements in the past. That he was told by the Undersheriff and Captain Merchant and
others to clean up the program and ensure requirements were being met. That he met with
Corporal Estes to ensure that requirements were in place if Reserves were to go through eh
FTO Program. That several other reserves applied to the program including Joe Walker,
Kofi Wallace, and Jo Taylor. Of these, only Joe Walker has continued to go through the
program to achieve the level three status. That Bates signed up for the program after
completing the level two status. That Bates needed 480 documented FTO hours from an
actual FTO and he told Bates this. That he felt Bates got this hand on training to serve the
office and him better. That one day shortly after this, he was informed that Bates was out
_stopping_vehicles on his own without completing the program. That he then spoke to the
Undersheriff about this and the Undersheriff told him to go and speak with Bates about the
matter and to explain it to him. That after this, he located Bates in the parking lot of the
Sheriffs Office and he told Bates he needed to talk to him. That Bates told him "I don't
have time to talk to you". That he again told Bates he needed to speak with him for a
moment and that it would not take very long. That he then asked Bates if he was out
stopping cars, and Bates replied "Yes I am" in a hateful manner. That he then informed
Bates that he could not do that not having completed the training and bates replied "Well I
can do it and ifyou don't like it you can talk to Tim Albin or Sheriff Glanz because I'm
going to do it". That bates then walked away. That he then went an informed the
Undersheriff of what had occurred and that he was going to inform the Chlef Albin. That
after this, he was on his way to inform Chief Albin of what had happened when the Chief
Albin came to him with Bates and told him he wanted to se him now. That he and Albin
then entered the staff conference room at which time Albin began to cuss at him about Bates.
That specifically Albin stated "I'm tired of you fucking with this guy and I'm tired of your
shit". That he then asked Albin what he had done because he was just following the policies
as he should have. That Albin continually told him that he had it out for Bates. That Bates
called Albin prior to the meeting and that Bates usually contacts either Albin or Huckeby but
not him. That after the meeting, Albin instructed him not to have any contact or talk with
Bates at all removing him for supervising all together. That this has not occurred with any
other Reserve under his supervision. That about a day later, he observed Bates at the County
garage pumping gas into another vehicle-not the one he had previously been driving. That
Bates filled up and then left. That Carl from the Garage asked him who had just pumped
fuel and he told him Reserve deputy Bates. That Carl then asked if the vehlcle was a county
vehicle and he told him he was unsure but believed the car would be donated to the office.
That a short time later, Albin came to him and jumped all over him stating "Your dicking

 with Bates ... you need to stop messing with him because he does a lot of good for the
County". That he then met with the Sheriff in a meeting with other employees to bring this
to the attention of the Sheriff. That Albin came to him after this and stated 'I know you had
a meeting with the Sheriff, well we'll have one too''. That he took this as intimidation
because of bates and the fact they had never had any meetings. That after this, Albin
assigned him to work a week of Midnight shift. That he believes that Albin did this as
punishment over Bates. That after completing the week, he was informed by Captain
Merchant told him to come into Chief Haralson's office. That Merchant told him "I need to
let you know that you are not going to have anything to do with the Reserve Program
anymore because Albin is re-assigning you to Special Services". That he then asked
Merchant why and Merchant stated "Well Chief Albin does not want you to have any
contact with Bob Bates anymore". That he then took this directly to the Sheriff. That he has
not been moved since. That since all this has happened, he has lost a ton of sleep, and his
stomach hurt a lot because he worries about retaliation to him because of Bates' relationship
with Albin and Huckeby. That the rest of the Reserves are upset because of how Bates is
treated and have worked less hours because of it. That he has spoken with Merchant about
this and Merchant told him there is nothing he can do because Bates has bought Huckeby
fishing and stuff. That Captain Huckeby came to him one time and
watches and takes
cussed him out on account of Bates. That Huckeby felt that he was screwing Bates about
and he should leave him alone. That he felt intimidated by this and felt that Huckeby was
doing this because of his relationship with Bates. That later, Huckeby came back and
apologized to him for what he had stated. That he felt Albin and Huckeby had been bought
off because Bates can do whatever he wants and there has been no consequences. That he
has not received any documentation (DOR's) on Bates for his attendance in the FTO
Program. That he asked Chief Albin about this and Albin stated "He wrote a letter and that's
good enough" (Referring to Corporal Crittenden). That he has spoken with Deputy Dewey
and Deputy Norton who both told him that they felt Bates' field operations were a little
scary. That Albin and Huckeby keep telling him that bates is an ex TPD Officer from 1964.
That he believes that this office and Bates would benefit from Bates completing the program
because he has been out of law enforcement for over forty years. That he spoke with
Corporal Crittenden concerned about the training of Bates and that Crittenden told him he
felt bad about signing the letters and should not have done so and only did so because he felt
pressured by Huckeby to do so. Chapman could provide no further.
Conclusion
Based upon my review of policies and procedures, training records, hiring documentation,
memorandums from employees, and interviews with affected personnel, I fmd that, within
the aforementioned scope of this investigation, policy has been violated and continues to be
violated by both Captain Tom Huckeby and Chief Deputy Tim Albin with regard to special
treatment shown to Reserve Deputy Robert Bates with regard to his field training and with
Captain Huckeby and Chief Albin creating an atmosphere in which employees were
intimidated to fail to adhere to policies in a manner which benefits Reserve Deputy Bates.

 Further, during the course of thls investigation, three other incidents were reported which
related to employees feeling that they were being intimidated by Captain Huckeby in matters
which involved his personal relationships or personal business ventures, but which
influenced his application of authority while on duty.
Specifically with regard to ChlefDeputy Tim Albin, he approached Corporal Warren
Crittenden on two occasions in reference to the timeline of Reserve Deputy Bates' field
training and Corporal Crittenden felt that Chief Albin was pressuring him to show that the
training was completed within a certain amount of time. Corporal Crittenden stated that
Chlef Albin has not approached him regarding any other deputy or reserve deputy involved
in the field training program.
Additionally, Captain Tom Huckeby stated that he revised a memorandum originally
authored by Corporal Crittenden which was used as the basis to prematurely conclude
Reserve Deputy Bates' field training and that he made the revision at the behest of Chief
Tim Albin.
£urther, Ser_geant Randy Chapman stated th_at, after bringing forth his
about
policies being circumvented in respect to Reserve Deputy Bates' status in the Reserve
Deputy Program, he was confronted by Chief Tim Albin and told that Albin was "tired of
you fucking with this guy and I'm tired of your shit," then was told by Albin not to have any
contact with or talk to Reserve Deputy Bates at all. Sergeant Chapman stated that he had not
had any other reserve removed from hls chain of command except for Reserve Deputy
Bates. Sergeant Chapman reported that on another occasion Chief Albin told him that he
was "Dicking with Bates" and "You need to stop messing with him because he does a lot of
good for the County."
Specifically with regard to Captain Tom Huckeby, Corporal Warren Crittenden stated that
he had been pressured by Captain Huckeby to conclude the field training of Reserve Deputy
Bates within a certain timeline and that Crittenden felt the only way to accomplish this was
to author a memorandum which stated the number of hours Reserve Deputy Bates had
completed which was less than the number of required hours. Corporal Crittenden stated
that Captain Huckeby brought back memorandums that stated additional opinions about the
qualification of Reserve Deputy Bates and that his field training should be deemed
completed and that Crittenden was told to initial the memorandums by Captain Huckeby
though he disagreed with the contents therein. Corporal Crittenden stated that he felt
pressure to sign the memos and that he feared retribution if he refused or if he were to alert
anyone in the command staff that he disagreed and felt Reserve Deputy Bates should be
required to complete the entire field training program. During interview, Captain Huckeby
admitted to revising Crittenden's original memorandum, though he states that the new memo
accurately reflected Corporal Crittenden's opinion.

 ..
In·addition, it was reported that an incident occurred with Sergeant Shannon Clark and
Captain Tom Huckeby at the time that Deputy Allen Lansdown was preparing to take
administrative leave. Sergeant Clark became aware that Deputy Lansdown was absent from
duty prior to his leave and had not called in. Sergeant Clark was instructed by his
supervisor, Captain Freese, to complete and No Call/No Show letter in compliance with
policy. Sergeant Clark made sought counsel from Captain Huckeby regarding the matter
and was told by Captain Huckeby that to do so would be "a chickenshit thing for you to do"
and that "it did not matter anyway because the Sheriff had approved the leave." Sergeant
Clark said he felt intimidated by these statements and, because Captain Freese was
resigning, that he would be placed in an awkward position if he were to follow Freese's
order in light of what Captain Huckeby had to say about it. Further, Sergeant Clark felt that
Captain Huckeby was looking out for Deputy Lansdown because he shared an apartment
with Lansdown at the time.
More recently, two deputies came forward who are assigned to the field training program,
which is under the supervision of Captain Huckeby and stated that they have been subject to
undue intimidation by Captain Huckeby based upon their refusal to work part-time security
jobs at_ CaptCl:in Httckeby's request. Deputy
Olm.stead stated thatCaptain Huck_eby
asked her to work a part-time on his behalf and that he became visibly angry when she
refused. That he then approached her, asked to see her FTO book which she provided to
him, and that he then looked through the book and mocked her with regard to her smoking.
Olmstead stated she felt the incident was retaliation for her refusing to work the part-time
job and that Captain Huckeby was seeking to fmd her at fault with something in her book
because she had refused the work. Olmstead also stated that Captain Huckeby has instructed
her to find someone willing to work his part-time job when he did not want to. Also, Deputy
Michael Moore stated that he received a telephone call one evening at home from Captain
Huckeby who asked if he could cover a part-time job that evening. Moore stated that he told
Huckeby he could not because he was caring for his child. Moore stated that upon his
entrance to the field training program that he attended a meeting with FTO supervisors and
other deputies entering the program during which Huckeby lined out the attendance
requirements of officers in the training program and that Huckeby stated that child care
issues would not be tolerated. Moore stated Huckeby directed this statement to him by
looking at him directly and that the statement was retaliation for his refusal to work the parttime shift that Huckeby had called him about.