″From: Tim Heider, Clackamas County Public Affairs Coordinator 503-742-5911

08-11-2010

The Clackamas County Board of County Commissioners and Sheriff Craig Roberts announced plans on Wednesday to establish an advisory committee to provide an independent review of employment policies and procedures — a responsibility shared by the sheriff’s office and the county’s Department of Employee Services. The goal will be to determine best practices for both organizations moving forward.

The members of the committee, which will begin work in the next several weeks, will be selected by the Board of County Commissioners and Sheriff Roberts.  A final report from the committee is due by the end of the year.

The goal will be to address any shortcomings in employment policies or procedures that contributed to recent incidents of misconduct by individual members of the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Roberts expressed a strong desire to work collaboratively with the commissioners to implement the recommendations of the committee.

“I’m excited that we are moving forward, ” said Sheriff Roberts. "I welcome any effort that brings increased transparency and accountability to the job that we do. This committee will help us identify any weaknesses in our employment practices, and help us do an even better job of serving the citizens of Clackamas County."

“We are delighted that the sheriff is joining with us in this effort to help identify and develop policies and procedures and  prioritize their implementation so our  sheriff’s deputies continue to meet the highest ethical and professional standards,” said Commission Chair Lynn Peterson.