Montana law enforcement panel asks Cascade County sheriff to give up police certifications

HELENA – Cascade County Sheriff Bob Edwards on Tuesday was asked to surrender all of his coroner and peace officer certifications by a state ethics panel following a June 15 disturbance with his girlfriend at a law enforcement convention in Helena.

This does not preclude him from being sheriff.

"I've worked hard for this, I'm not going to give up my job," Edwards said after the hearing in Helena.

Perry Johnson, executive director of the Public Safety Officer Standards and Training (POST) Case Status Committee said that Edwards would get a letter early next week giving him an opportunity to surrender his certificates.

"And this puts the ball in your court," Johnson told Edwards.

POST Council Investigator Katrina Bolger said Edwards may remain sheriff, as it is an elected position, but that POST holds power over the certificates.

More:Calls to dispatchers in Sheriff Bob Edwards assault case said he had a gun

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More:Cascade County Sheriff Edwards apologizes, will return to work Aug. 9

The hearing was chaired by John Strandell, a former Cascade County sheriff who served for 12 years and said he had no favoritism in the case. He asked Edwards about the involvement of a gun in the incident. 

"I don't know where people think I was racking (cocking) a gun, because my gun is always loaded," Edwards said. He said he handed his weapon over to a deputy.

Edwards has been a law enforcement officer since 1993.

Edwards was given a chance to respond at the hearing. He said he would dispute a few of the allegations.

"I've come forward and admitted I was in a loud disturbance with my girlfriend. I never touched her at all," he said. "My actions that night are not the best I have ever been.

"I am a man of faith and I think this is God's way of putting his foot into my backside," Edwards said. "I realize what I have done, it's not the Bob everyone knows. This has opened my eyes tremendously.

"I apologize to the board because you shouldn't be sitting here talking about Bob Edwards now."

Officials said Edwards would likely receive the letter early next week. It's so far unclear what would happen if Edwards declined to surrender his certification. 

Johnson said POST stafff reviewed body camera footage, talked to 24 witnesses, the Helena Police Department and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's investigations, saying they found that alcohol was a factor, physical contact was a factor, a firearm was involved and public integrity was a factor.

The Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Council is a quasi-judicial board sanctioned by the state Constitution and located at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in Helena. The council is administratively attached to the Department of Justice, but is independent because of its oversight of DOJ employees, officials said.

POST handles suspension or revocation of certification of public safety officers, provides for the certification and re-certification of public safety officers and oversees training.

Bolger said the case status committee inquiry is based on ethical issues and not criminal.

“That is with the courts,” she said.

Edwards was arrested June 15 following an argument with his girlfriend that escalated at the Radisson Colonial Hotel in Helena during a convention of the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, which was attended by about 200 law enforcement officers.

They both had reportedly been drinking alcohol while playing golf.

The girlfriend told officers that Edwards was struggling with mental health issues following the death of a Broadwater County Deputy Mason Moore in May, and after Cascade County Deputy Joe Dunn was killed in the line of duty in 2014.

Edwards disputed any mental health issues, or that the emotions evoked by Moore's death contributed in any way to the Helena incident. He denied having post-traumatic stress disorder or being suicidal. 

As part of the agreement, Edwards had to abide by a set of conditions for six months in order for the charges to be dropped Feb. 1, including 40 hours of counseling with a focus on domestic disturbance interactions.

Edwards told the Tribune that he has had much more than the 40 hours of counseling. Edwards' attorney said at the time the deal did not equate to an admission of guilt.

Helena City Attorney Thomas Jodoin said last week once Edwards has submitted proof of his compliance, which he believed had already done, the citation will be dismissed.

Edwards remained off the job from June until Aug. 9.

Edwards has been Cascade County sheriff since 2010. The seat is on the ballot for November. The deadline to file is March 12.

Cascade County sheriff’s Lt. Bob Rosipal and Great Falls Police Department Detective Jesse Slaughter have filed to run for sheriff. Edwards said he is weighing whether or not to run again.

Reach Phil Drake at 406-422-0772 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com. Seaborn Larson and Scott Thompson contributed to this story. Story has been updated to explain relationship between POST and Department of Justice.