Clear up laundry list of problems

Polk County's sheriff already has a huge handicap when it comes to winning the public's trust. But recent problems haven't boosted public confidence in Sheriff Chris Abril's administration.

Abril has the dubious distinction of being the only sheriff we've ever heard of who won election while facing rape charges. It's been almost two years since the charges were filed, in the heat of the campaign, based on testimony of two women who say they were sexually abused by Abril two decades ago when they were 10 and 12 years old.

Whether those charges have merit or were drummed up for political purposes is for a jury to decide. Abril's trial is set to start Aug. 4.

Any sheriff in that situation would be wise to run his department with the utmost integrity. Yet recent events raise questions of leadership. n May 16. Polk County Deputy Gary Cox is injured when he wrecks his 2001 Ford Crown Victoria en route to a call. The Highway Patrol says he approached a sharp curve at 75 mph and skidded 337 feet before running off the road into a tree. Sheriff's Lt. Brent Jackson tells a TV station the department is concerned about the safety of the fleet's older cars. But the accident report mentions nothing about faulty equipment. On May 19, Abril says Polk County Manager Ryan Whitson told him to fire Jackson for speaking out. Whitson calls that statement "a lie." Abril later said his office was not trying to bash county government over the age of its cars.

n June 10. Henderson County Sheriff Rick Davis tells Abril to stop sending undercover agents into Henderson County without coordinating with local authorities. Davis says Abril ignored his staff's request that Polk undercover officers coordinate with his office, endangering lawmen. Abril responds that he had talked about joint operations with Davis weeks earlier in Charlotte and thought any problems had been resolved. Davis questions that account.

n June 23. The District Attorney's Office dismisses drug charges against medicinal marijuana advocate Steve Marlowe after Superior Court Judge Marlene Hyatt ruled deputies showed a "reckless disregard for the law" in using a discredited informant's statement to obtain a search warrant of Marlowe's home. Polk deputies knew there were false statements in the warrant but executed it anyway, Hyatt ruled.

n Thursday: Abril fires narcotics officer Juan Hernandez after an investigation turned up "possible criminal activity" involving an account Hernandez opened with drug seizure money. Results of the probe have been forwarded to District Attorney Jeff Hunt, the State Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshal's Office.

These problems involve potentially serious allegations. Residents concerned about their rights should worry when deputies knowingly use false information to search a home. Taxpayers have a right to know that drug seizure money is accounted for. And professional lawmen should not cross into other jurisdictions without coordinating with those authorities. Abril should make sure these problems are corrected.