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Residents say sheriff's staffing cuts threaten public safety as board and sheriff remain at odds
Summary
Public commenters urged Curry County commissioners to reverse sheriff's-office staffing cuts that they said remove experienced supervisors and investigators; the session included allegations of improper personnel actions and an ongoing legal dispute between the board and Sheriff Ward.
Several Curry County residents used public comment time at the Oct. 1 board meeting to urge the Board of Commissioners to reconsider recent staffing reductions at the Curry County Sheriff’s Office, saying cuts have left the department dangerously understaffed.
Michelle Martin, who said she has lived in Curry County for about 60 years, told the board that reductions affecting longtime employees ‘cannot be understated.’ She highlighted Sergeant Dura Gray’s role as a search-and-rescue coordinator who manages large volunteer crews and named Sergeant Van Zelf as the office’s sole ICAC investigator against…
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