Paperwork filed to begin effort to recall Benton County Sheriff

KENNEWICK, Wash.-- Nearly one month after the Sheriff Deputy's Guild voted to pursue a recall of Benton County Sheriff Jerry Hatcher, the paperwork to begin the process has been filed with the Benton County Prosecutor's Office.

“These individuals are Sheriff Hatcher’s patrol deputies, detectives, corporals, sergeants and lieutenants”, BCSD Guild attorney Alan Harvey said in a video posted to YouTube shortly after the vote in June. “And it is unfortunate the decisions of Sheriff Hatcher has made and brought these individuals together to stand united in voting for Sheriff Hatcher to be recalled from his position."

The guild, along with several volunteers, compiled 310 pages detailing the complaints against Hatcher.

According to the Washington State Constitution, Article I, §33 stipulates that anyone seeking to recall a public official needs to prove that the official has engaged in the "commission of some act or acts of malfeasance or misfeasance while in office, or who has violated his oath of office."

Harvey has said that the Guild has documented several criminal acts or infractions that Sheriff Hatcher has committed, including alleged retaliatory behavior against deputies, prompting many officers to quit their jobs at the agency.

Benton County Prosecutor Andy Miller confirmed with Newsradio 610 KONA that his office has received the paperwork. Deputy Prosecutor Reid Hay is in charge of the recall case, and has 15 days to prepare a short ballot synopsis and present it to the court.  (RCW 29A.56.130). From there, the court has 15 days to hold a hearing on the matter.  (RCW 29A.56.140).

If a judge approves the language of the recall, then organizers have to collect signatures in order to get the recall placed on an upcoming ballot. Based on the current timeline, the soonest the petition could go before voters in in February.