Clayton sheriff bans police from interviewing inmates
Want to interview suspects? Give me stats, lawman says

By KATHY JEFCOATS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/28/08

Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill issued an order this week barring Clayton police detectives from interviewing inmates in the county jail, apparently in retaliation for not getting burglary statistics from police.

Clayton police Chief Jeff Turner said Hill's actions Wednesday constitutes obstruction of justice, and he plans to ask state officials for help reversing the order.

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"He is definitely obstructing justice," Turner said, "especially in cases where there are additional victims or co-perpetrators still walking the streets. His actions are putting the public in harm's way, there's no way around that."

The order was signed by jail Maj. Lawrence Ethridge. Neither Hill nor Ethridge responded to a request for comment or clarification on this issue.

As in many Georgia counties, Clayton police investigate crimes and arrest suspects, and the Clayton sheriff operates the jail that houses them while they are awaiting trial.

Turner said his detectives went to the jail Friday morning to interview a child molestation suspect. They were turned away by staff members on orders from Hill and Ethridge, Turner said.

Hill reportedly sent word to the detectives through his staff that they would have access to inmates if the police department had provided information on burglary cases in the county, Turner said.

Hill apparently intends to form his own burglary task force, he said.

"But that information is accessible by him anyway, through the county's computer system," Turner said. "He doesn't need our permission or help in getting that information. I guess he just wants us to do his job for him. This just shows how childish he is being."

This clash between Hill and Clayton County is the latest since Hill took office three years ago.

Hill kicked off his first day in office by firing more than two dozen deputies. A judge ordered them rehired, and a lawsuit followed. A $7 million settlement to the deputies was agreed to in June, but several million more were spent on legal fees.

In Georgia, besides operating the county jail, sheriffs typically serve warrants and maintain the courthouse. But Hill has tried to expand on those services by forming specialized crime-fighting units that have existed at the police department for years.

Hill, a former police officer and colleague of Turner's, has made no secret that he wants to abolish the police department and transfer manpower and equipment to his office. He once sent Turner an e-mail admonishing him and signing it, "Your future employer."

Turner said Hill's latest antics is "disappointing."

"The citizens of Clayton County only want him to do the right thing, what's expected," Turner said. "And we want to do our jobs, which we can't do effectively."

Cooperation between jail officials and investigating law enforcement agencies is vital in preparing criminal prosecutions.

Henry County police Capt. Jason Bolton said criminal cases could not be made without access to incarcerated suspects.

"Often times, the detective or officer is unable to interview a suspect before he or she is arrested, especially if the suspect doesn't want to be found," Bolton said.

"A jailhouse interview, once the person has been apprehended, may be the only opportunity law enforcement has to speak with a suspect and possibly obtain a confession," Bolton said. "To take that opportunity away from the investigating officer would seriously hinder the investigation."

Additionally, Hill will not allow mug shots to be given to detectives, hindering photo line-ups, another investigative tool. Bolton said access to the photos that are maintained at the jail is important to detectives.

"All of our photographic line-ups come from mug shots maintained at the jail," Bolton said. "Being restricted from conducting line-ups would leave quite a bit of cases unsolved."

The only other place I've seen this kind of CF was in Charlotte where the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police had jurisdiction throughout the county and all the Meck County Sheriff's did was run the jail.  But you also had this bizarre element called "Mecklenburg County Security" who secured some buildings and who were sworn LEOs. 

Then again, NC also had the State Patrol as well as the Division of Motor Vehicles Police who primarily seemed to enforce trucking regulations but who, again, were sworn LEOs. 

Seems like some very weird duplications of effort there.  If I was a taxpayer in those parts I'd be a little pissed at the waste of money. 

Do you listen to yourself when you talk; or do you just fade in and out?

We have a lot of similar situations in Mass. as well. The Sherrifs Depts. are mainly(key word) responsible for jails, and cities and towns take care of their own local Policing. The State used to have a multitude of LE Agencies, and whittled it down now to the State Police, MBTA (Transit) Police, and Enviromental (Game Wardens fall under their umbrella). Prior to this, we also had Registry Police (Motor Vehicle), MDC(Pretty much Park areas), and some others I think scattered about.
Right now the MBTA is trying to merge itself with the State Police, and the Staties are having none of that.. When they were merged with the others, they ended up with a lot of dead weight. Folks that never would have passed through the State Police Academey or even be accepted into it.