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The President of the Santa Clara Deputy Sheriff’s Association resigned Thursday, following allegations that he sent racist and sexist text messages to other law enforcement officials over the last several years.
Don Morrissey announced his resignation in a letter to DSA members on Thursday. He said several police associations, including the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, have been embroiled in issues of bias, racism and harassment in recent months, but their leaders need to be held accountable.
“That accountability must start with me,” Morrissey said in the statement, adding that he hoped the Santa Clara County sheriff’s office would continue pushing to end harassment and discrimination.
Morrissey said “shameful conduct at our jail” also prompted him to make way for new leadership, referring to three correctional officers who were convicted of second-degree murder in the death of an inmate at Santa Clara County jail in 2015. The county medical examiner ruled Michael Tyree’s death a homicide by blunt force trauma.
Responding to Morrissey’s statement, Sheriff Laurie Smith said his words only served to “distort and distract from his complicity with racist, homophobic, and sexually assaultive text messages.”
She called his allegations of institutional bias “reckless and unfounded,” and said his attempts to regain the trust of the community on behalf of the department was unbelievable, considering he had engaged in the misconduct that broke their trust.
“Give me a break — the public is a hell of a lot smarter than Mr. Morrissey gives them credit for and they will see right through his latest smoke screen,” Smith said in the statement.
Vice President Roger Winslow will take over Morrissey’s position until an election for a new president later this year. Morrissey is still serving as a deputy in the department after being disciplined for sending the text messages, according to Winslow.
“While the process of transitioning to new leadership is just beginning, it will be guided by a steadfast commitment to the safety and security of our members, accountability across our department, and responsive engagement with the diverse community we are privileged to serve,” Winslow said in a statement.
The local NAACP President Jethroe Moore II demanded on Wednesday that Morrissey be fired, calling him “unfit” for the job.
“Removing Mr. Morrissey from his leadership role is the only way to begin the process of rehabilitating both the DSA’s reputation and the relationship between members of law enforcement and the community,” Moore said in a statement.
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Law enforcement is often characterized by a ‘good ol’ boy network’ that expounds this kind of mentality & vitriol. Should come as no surprise.
I support Sheriff Smith.
It is one thing to resign from a voluntary position and quite another to be terminated from employment.
So what does this mean for the runoff in November for County Sheriff? Which candidate would be better on the matter of unfair discrimination and harassment? And when will the two candidates appear together for a forum in Mountain View?
@Gary – The Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County will be holding a candidates forum for this county sheriff race. That forum is scheduled to be held on Monday, October 8th, from 7 – 8:30 PM, in Cupertino, at the Cupertino Community Hall.
‘”Responding to Morrissey’s statement, Sheriff Laurie Smith said his words only served to “distort and distract from his complicity with racist, homophobic, and sexually assaultive text messages.”‘
Despite that statement of apparent condemnation, Sheriff Smith appears to think this behavior is OK for an employee of hers: “Morrissey is still serving as a deputy in the department after being disciplined for sending the text messages, according to Winslow.”
I wish the MV Voice would provide the relevant details related to what the discipline was. And, I wish Sheriff Smith would clarify why she continues to place her faith in a “professionally assaultive” employee by allowing him to continue in a position of authority.
Regardless of its commentary of Sheriff Smith’s leadership abilities, I am concerned about my liability as a taxpayer. If I were a woman or a minority who got pulled over, visited, or interrogated by this person who has admitted to racist and sexist text messages, I would get an attorney who would have a field day with Constitutional protections. Everything Morrissey touches will be tainted from here-on-out. He cannot perform his job effectively. Apparently, Sheriff Smith is OK with continuing to pay him. Yes, Sheriff Smith, we can see through your ‘”latest smoke screen”.’ When you’re both in the mud, neither of you can claim the moral high ground.