Commissioners Reject Sheriff’s Request Transfer Of Officer Ok’d Despite Overstreet’s Plea

Latah County commissioners have approved the transfer of a patrol sergeant over Sheriff Joe Overstreet’s demand the man agree not to sue the county.

Commissioners would not divulge what occurred at a Monday closed executive session.

But Overstreet on Wednesday said the conflict stemmed from his condition the transfer of Sgt. Charles Whiteley to county investigator be approved only if Whiteley agreed to drop a pending lawsuit against Overstreet, the county and commissioners.

But the county board approved the transfer, anyway.

“It is their typical way of asserting their authority over the sheriff’s office,” Overstreet said.

Whiteley’s lawsuit stems from an August 1993 demotion which Overstreet maintains never took place.

Commissioner Shirley Greene said the sheriff has shown he wants his way in every situation.

“Commissioner Greene should talk,” he said. “She has slammed down her fist and walked out on more than one occasion during meetings with other elected officials.”