May 10, 2021 — This afternoon, PPOA President Tab Rhodes, Executive Board Member/Custody Assistant Tony Coleman and Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. met with Custody Division Assistant Sheriff Corbett regarding the recent physical assault on one of our Custody Assistants.
Make no mistake: this assault was deeply unsettling.
Last Friday, the Sheriff’s Department released a disturbing video of a male inmate brutally assaulting a female Custody Assistant. PPOA was made aware of the incident and the video when was it released to the public and took action.
The unprovoked attack left the Custody Assistant with serious injuries. Thankfully, she was treated at the hospital and is now at home recuperating. Executive Board Member Coleman spoke with her and offered PPOA’s support and commitment to her well-being and complete recovery.
“There are inherent risks that come with the career,” said Board Member Coleman. “Yet watching an assault on a fellow Custody Assistant is disturbing to those of us who walk that line and should alarm the public who viewed the video, as well.”
At today’s meeting, Assistant Sheriff Corbett provided a more detailed description of the incident and addressed PPOA’s concerns about the release of the video and staffing issues.
The Sheriff’s Department initiated a criminal investigation immediately following the assault. The inmate was charged with felony assault by means likely to cause great bodily injury and was scheduled to make his first court appearance today.
“Our highest concern is for the physical and mental well-being of our injured colleague,” said PPOA President Tab Rhodes. “Obviously, we are extremely concerned about the officer safety issues and continued staffing concerns as they relate to this incident and we expect all details of the assault to be analyzed and addressed thoroughly by the Sheriff’s Department.”