Race For Sheriff Related To Suspension

​Race For Sheriff Related To Suspension
BY N3 News Team

Newaygo County Sheriff Pat Hedlund released a statement Monday stating “Recently it has come to my attention that a ranking member of this department may have violated election laws, department policies regarding the unauthorized release of departmental information.”
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Sources say the officer is Lieutenant Chad Palmiter, a long time member of the Department. The suspension comes less than a week after the resignation of...

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...Undersheriff Brian Boyd as reported previously by Near North Now. 

“When I was appointed as Newaygo County Sheriff nearly a year and a half ago, I knew the change in leadership direction would be accepted by some and rejected by others,” read the statement.

“I also realized I would have to provide tools to the staff so that, if they desired, they could succeed and evolve with the change in leadership. I have done that. I have provided training in supervision, training in how to evolve with a change in leadership, staff personality profiles, policing with pride and integrity training, required reading lists and proactive strategies in law enforcement leadership. Most of the staff have adapted well to the changes. Unfortunately this has not been the case with some of the staff.”

“I have taken and will continue to take the necessary steps as Sheriff to make sure all persons employed at this agency put the needs of the citizens before their own personal agendas. I simply refuse to tolerate behavior like that. This department member has been placed on paid administrative suspension during the pendency of an investigation into the allegations of his improper conduct”

Sheriff Hedlund faces opposition in the August primary from White Cloud and Grant Police Chief Bob Mendham. Chief Mendham and former Undersheriff Boyd both interviewed for the office along with former Circuit Court Judge Terrence Thomas and former County Commissioner Vern Willett following the retirement of former Sheriff Mike Mercer in early 2015.

Near North Now (Online) will continue to follow this story as it unfolds.