County Deputy demoted
Olson challenges decision
By STU MERRY
McLean County Deputy Curt Olson has been demoted from his captain’s position. The move was July 9. No replacement has been made.
In a written statement, McLean County Sheriff Don Charging said the demotion followed an incident where Olson did not follow procedures on a traffic stop. Olson has been reprimanded on two previous occasions for failure to follow sheriff’s office procedures, Charging wrote.
The statement was given to McLean County Commissioners at their meeting Tuesday morning. It was the first the commission had officially heard of the action and they were left asking why they hadn’t been told earlier. The board agreed the matter, as to why there was a delay, will be discussed at an upcoming commission meeting.
Olson said Tuesday afternoon a grievance process is in place and he is filing a written appeal. "I’ve retained legal counsel and am working with attorney Michael Geiermann from Bismarck," he said.
"I’d like to provide more information, but at the moment, I’m going to work through the appeals process," he added.
Olson said he questions the timing of his demotion, just weeks following the Primary Election. "It seems suspicious, and I do believe that it was politically motivated," he said.
