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Commissioner criticizes sheriff directive limiting staff communications; legal counsel flags First Amendment risk
Summary
A commissioner accused Sheriff Thomas of issuing a directive that restricts county employees from contacting that commissioner, calling it intimidating and a potential First Amendment risk; Sheriff Thomas said the memo enforces chain‑of‑command policies and county counsel said the directive is enforceable but acknowledged a conditional First Amendment risk.
A prolonged exchange unfolded after a commissioner read and questioned a directive issued by the Potter County Sheriff’s Office instructing staff to route inquiries through designated command staff rather than speak directly to a commissioner. Commissioner (speaker 8) said the memo singled him out, raised the prospect of First Amendment risk and suggested it could chill employee communications with elected officials.
Sheriff Thomas responded that the directive is a chain‑of‑command policy he issued to centralize operational communication: "That is a policy that just says that if you wanna call, you can talk to 1 of the 4 people and we'll discuss that with you," he told the court. County legal counsel advised the court the document "is enforceable" but that it "does potentially create First Amendment risk," urging caution. Commissioners debated whether to seek additional legal review, consider executive session for personnel or litigation risk, and request the sheriff to clarify or retract the directive; the court directed further legal review and discussion rather than taking immediate disciplinary action.
