Link to taser Lawsuit
The source of my comment regarding Mr Harrell's involvement in the Tasering of inmates at FCCC II- Jackson Pike is in the link above and the quote below is copied directly from the above complaint:
Michael Herrell and Doug Edgington were the facility commanders for
FCCC II during times relevant to this action.
33. As FCCC II facility commanders, Defendants Herrell and Edgington reviewed all
use of force reports from Franklin County corrections deputies who worked at FCCC II,
including use of force reports involving deployment of tasers. Defendants Herrell and Edgington
are sued in their individual and official capacities.
Name calling doesn't change reality.
I've been researching the candidates and have been surprised by the nature of the comments of the author of this "complaint". I'm not one to respond to stuff like this, but this seems so out of line that I took a few minutes to research what the original poster had said and to simply read the links that were provided.
I do respect the author's position that, if there is a drain problem at Jackson Pike, then it should be resolved. Since Mr Herrell was director of that facility prior to the complaint, could he let us know what he determined was the source of the sewage problem while he was in charge there- did inmates clog their toilets intentionally, or is there a problem with the design of the facility? If the problem is as extensive as the author says, I have a hard time imagining that it began recently.
In fact, the author indicated that the facility overflows with sewage 1200 times per year and that 6440 incidents can be found with a records search. Dividing 6440 by the 1200 average incidents per year puts us at 5 years 4 months back- January 2007. Since Mr Harrell tells us he was transferred out of the facility 8/10/2008, the data the author and Mr Harrell provided us indicates that Harrell was in charge for 1 year and 8 months at a minimum while the sewage problem occurred. The author then tells us that no policy was put in place to address the sewage problem. Who would have been responsible for that? Could either of you clarify for me how to interpret what you've said? I'm simply using the information you have provided and the math doesn't agree with your comments. Thanks in advance for your clarification.
I'm concerned by the author's suggestion that the Sheriff ignor his chain of command in order to address the author's issues. To the best of my knowledge, Sheriff Scott is not an attorney, so would not be qualified to represent Franklin County in legal matters. So, the author's suggestion that Sheriff Scott meet with or call Plaintiff's council would be absolutely inappropriate.
Again, about the chain of command, and Mr Herrell chime in here if you don't mind- if the Sheriff were to take over the handling of the repair of the alleged sewage problem, how would that be received by the Jackson Pike facility management and staff? My expectation is that the responsibility for maintaining the facility is the director's. Wouldn't it be more appropriate for the Sheriff to work together with the facility managers to resolve the problem? My thought would be that any other process would undermine the authority of the managers of the facility in the eyes of their subordinates.
Further, the leader of an organization as complex and large as the Franklin County Sheriff's Department must delegate jobs to his subordinates. Clearly, the Sheriff can't patrol the streets, pay the bills, and respond to complaints, all while still having time to manage and and direct the Department. To say that he's less of a person for behaving like the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the County indicates a lack of understanding of the responsibilities of the office.
Could Mr Harrell tell us about his management style? Has he read these posts and does he agree with the author's assertions about the County Commissioners and about the responsibilites of the Sheriff and about the manner in which the author suggests the problems should be handled?
