At Weazel News, we take our responsibility to inform the public seriously. We welcome the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Command Team’s response to our recent article, as public accountability is essential for fostering trust between law enforcement and the community.
We would like to address several points raised in the BCSO’s press release:
- Promotion Process and Context:
The BCSO emphasized that promotions are not finalized until a review process between the 1st and 7th of each month. However, we find it contradictory that promotions were publicly announced at the department meeting on the 1st of the month. If the review process was still underway, how could these promotions have been confirmed and announced to the public? This raises questions about the transparency and timing of the department’s review process. Our reporting aimed to highlight this apparent procedural inconsistency and the potential implications for public trust. - Cash Incentives and Misleading Claims:
While the BCSO’s press release describes claims regarding cash incentives as “misleading,” their Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) under the “BCSO Incentive Programs” details four methods through which deputies can receive cash incentives of up to $2,500. These incentives are significant and merit transparency regarding their criteria and alignment with the department’s goals.
We urge the BCSO to provide clarity to the public about how these incentives are awarded and ensure they are not perceived as conflicting with accountability measures. - The Case of Sergeant Chase Justice:
While the BCSO Command Team refrains from public comments due to an ongoing investigation, our reporting reflects public frustration at the lack of transparency and perceived inequities in handling personnel matters. We respect the need for thorough investigations but believe the community deserves periodic updates to maintain confidence in the process.
Lastly, while the BCSO criticizes our reporting as “sensationalism” and “half-truths,” we stand by the intent and factual basis of our article. It is not our goal to undermine but to scrutinize. This scrutiny ultimately strengthens institutions by bringing issues to light and encouraging constructive solutions.
We encourage the BCSO to continue engaging with the public and media openly. We are committed to reporting responsibly and look forward to providing additional updates as this story develops.
