Accountability?

This I know for sure. Someone who really believes you can get a Masters Degree for $3,500.00 shouldn't be in a position of authority. That's assuming you even know how much the fake degree will cost; The master’s program he signed up for with Columbus University cost between $2,500 and $3,000, according to Baker.

I guess $500.00 here and there doesn't matter when you're ripping off the taxpayers.

And then, to deny this until it was brought to their doorstep is not the type honesty we look for from our CALEA certified law enforcement. These officers go back to 2003 with their relationship with Columbus. Why did none come out when Hatcher's case was revealed? “I was stunned,” Wilburn said. “I actually felt victimized.”
If was all about being a "victim", members of law enforcement should be the first to know it's their responsibility to report a crime.

Although the sheriff’s office is implementing a revised policy, the county still does not have one in place. Betsy Cunningham, the director of human resources for Blount County for the past four years, said the county wants to be proactive and establish a policy that eliminates problems with tuition reimbursement.
“We have drafted a policy,” Cunningham said.

Maybe if the Mayor wasn't out drumming up fake outrage, he could set some of the policies he promised. A year after the fact, and we're still only "talking" about them?

Because we know, with no policies in place, it opens the door for stupid excuses like these; The Daily Times asked Baker and Wilburn if they had ever taken steps to pay the county back for the tuition reimbursement, and both said they had not. “I don’t feel like I’ve violated any policies that were in order,” Wilburn said, and Baker agreed.

So, I guess we can conclude moral decency doesn't even factor into the equation when it comes to taking taxpayer money? I would love to say the Sheriff has some problems with his department - but anyone paying attention lately; (24) missing cars, (1) found NASCAR Truck, (2) broken arms, (5?) fake degrees and other issues that include forced termination and addiction would let you know the Sheriff is the problem.

I also can't help but to notice, some of these officers are high ranked. Does their advancement in rank and pay have anything to do with their "education"?

Sorry, but I have to agree with Mayor Cunningham, this is "old news". It is exactly 378 days and approximately six hours old. It has been that long ago that the commissioners "encouraged Cunningham to complete the policy manual as soon as possible and ASKED THAT OTHER TUITION PAYMENTS MADE BY THE COUNTY BE REVIEWED TO SEE THERE ARE OTHERS SITUATIONS SIMILAR TO HATCHER'S" (DT report 17 Nov 06) Why wasn't this done? Was it a derilection of duty or was $8K-$10K of our dollars not important? Or, did our Mayor do his duty and discover what was easily "garnished" in a "snap" by everyday citizens on the county web site? If so, why was the commission not made aware of those findings?
Sheriff Berrong stated there was "no discussion" of paying back the monies. Well, just when did the Sheriff become aware of this? Was it in 2004 or 2005 when the tuition reimbursement was submitted, approved by his administation and disbursed to his employees? Or was it in 2006, when Mr. Hatcher repaid the county and retained an attorney to recoup his losses? In either instance, discussion should have taken place immediately. But here we are in 2007 and now Berrong wants to discuss the issue and encourage his employees to retain an attorney! I must again agree with the Mayor, this is now "old news" and most assuredly too late for civil action against the "university".
If Lt. Wilburn and Sgt. Baker truly felt victimized, when did they become aware they were victims? As veteran law enforcement officers were they not familiar with the process of filing written complaints against those who had victimized them? Did they not at least discuss this with their superiors and ask for guidance? I believe, given the circumstance Mr. Hatcher found himself to be in and the intense media coverage at the time any reasonable person who felt he had been victimized by the same party at the expense of the taxpayers would at the very least inquire of the
person(s) who approved the reimbursement as to what course of action to take. But, the true victims are we the taxpayers. No one involved seems to have suffered any out of pocket expense except you and I. And as this pattern of fraud, waste and abuse continues unabated, it is sadly, in fact "old news".

SeeJaneRide
This latest revelation is another glaring reason why it's time for this sheriff to GO!. He has been out of control [] for years. It's just incredible that ANYONE would believe a word that comes out of his mouth. He wouldn't know the truth if it walked up and introduced itself!
As the county's lead law enforcement official, he has an obligation to get the money repaid to the county. He has known for a long time that HIS office authorized the expenditure. Why doesn't HE send a letter to the fake university himself--you know in his "official" capacity? Oh, but that would actually challenge him to behave as a responsible adult.
The sheriff and those deputies KNEW what they were doing. They didn't want to "work" for an education. It's much easier to get someone, like a taxpayer, to buy it for them. Like their leader, they've come to "expect" that they can get everything they want or need from your pocket and mine. And worse, their actions hurt those in law enforcement who actually DO invest in legitimate educations.
Let's hope this community sends this sheriff to the house next election. Or maybe he'll have enough sense not to run. This community DESERVES so much better.

And worse, their actions hurt those in law enforcement who actually DO invest in legitimate educations.

You would think this element of the BCSO would get tired of the way rogue elements in their department are making them look. I once overhead an officer speaking to a youth reminding him of the old axiom; "You are judged by the company you keep". Unfortunately, this doesn't apply only to troubled youth. How can we as citizens distinguish between good and bad cops when you're all wearing the same uniform?

I know the BCSO problems start with upper management, but I can assure you if a large enough group decided they were no longer going to turn a blind eye to wrong doing, you would have the support of the vast majority of the community.

Think about it. The Daily Times bash party consisting of a group of 100* (or less) plus the 10 to 20 among you are the ones that have a boot on your chest. The Democrats, objective Republicans and citizen groups are the ones that fought to get the lower ranks better pay. But as you know, the lower ranks got a pittance compared to what the fake degree having higher ranks got. Rest assured, we will continue to fight for the honest among you whether you're willing to fight for yourselves or not. The BSCO is not a fraternity - and you didn't get into law enforcement so you could watch your co-workers break laws. Did you?

*in case you haven't noticed when you work their parties and handle their traffic - these people are always the same people. How many of you have ever seen them at the commission meetings asking for you to have better pay? They are not your friends. They look at you as if you were the "help" - and if you keep doing what you've always done - you are.

Like I said, think about it.

Why doesn't the Sheriff call his Merit Board to order like they do in Loudon County. Let the board determine whether the officers should pay back the money.

We do have a Merit Board in Blount County don't we? Who's on it? Any Commissioners?

SeeJaneRide
Make NO mistake. The Merit Board is as fake as those Columbus U degrees. ALL the members are hand-picked by the sheriff. They will do/rule ANYTHING he tells them.