A police chief from Canandaigua, New York is refusing to step down after being accused of all sorts of inappropriate behavior, including verbal sexual harassment, racism, and homophobia.
Sheriff Kevin Henderson says he won’t be intimidated into resigning after the Ontario County Board of Supervisors announced plans to launch a formal investigation into both him and “certain employees” inside his office.
In a statement released this week, the board said it received several complaints on an anonymous tip line set up earlier this year. The calls were “extremely concerning and highlight the poor leadership, lack of integrity and low employee morale within the office.”
As a result, the board hired an outside counsel to interview more than 70 current or former members of the Sheriff’s office about the situation.
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“What they found was disturbing, to say the least,” Ontario County Administrator Chris DeBolt tells local media.
“Comments made by the sheriff to employees of a sexual nature. Comments made of a sexual, racial and homophobic nature, some of which were made in the sheriff’s presence, and the sheriff not only did not address it with the speaker, but laughed about it and said things like, ‘I’m supposed to discipline you now. Ha, ha.’ And then never did.”
Henderson refused to cooperate with the outside counsel’s investigation, which DeBolt says is part of what prompted the board to launch a formal internal investigation.
“There are questions that remain unanswered that the board feels they need to get to the bottom of,” he said. “Our highest priority right now is protecting the employees of the department.”
In a statement, Henderson didn’t deny the accusations made against him, but he did say he “has no intention of resigning, and reaffirms his commitment to the citizens of Ontario County to put public safety before politics.”
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
Max
if he doesn’t resign, he’ll get fired. what looks worse on a résumé for a sexual harasser, racist, and homophobe?
Mack
He’s an elected official. They can’t be fired, they have to be removed by impeachment. Not sure which agency would do it or if maybe the Governor can. Each state is different in their laws.
cuteguy
He’s taking the Trumpf stance and defying the facts. I’m surprised he hasn’t shouted “Fake News” or his version of it
Jim
And the police wonder why they are not respected or even vilified.
bobmister250
We’ve been through this enough to know to check a source. Anytime Queerty tells me to hate someone based on their laundry list of prejudices, I’m skeptical.
Invader7
Self important oinker !!
James
ARTICLE IS WRONG. HE IS NOT THE POLICE CHIEF. HE IS ONLY A SHERIFF.
FIRE HIM IMMEDIATELY.