“The Thurston County Deputy Sheriff’s Association is threatening to file a complaint against Thurston County, alleging that cuts to the force have resulted in unsafe working conditions.

Oregon-based attorney Daryl Garrettson, who represents the association, sent a letter and draft copy of the complaint Monday to county Commission Chairwoman Cathy Wolfe. The draft names Wolfe, commissioners Sandra Romero and Bud Blake, and the county as defendants.

So far, no lawsuit has been filed in Thurston County Superior Court.

According to a report by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, in 2014 the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office had the fewest commissioned deputies per 1,000 residents in the unincorporated areas of the county of any county sheriff’s office in Washington state.

Ben Elkins, president of the Thurston County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, said that deputies are concerned for the safety of both deputies and citizens<" quoting Amelia Dickson, The Olympian.
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Editor’s Note:
Sufficient Police Dept. staffing in Yelm has also been a campaign issue presented by Yelm City Council candidates challenging the incumbents.