Major discipline · 2024[1]
Suspended 45 days- Rank as reported
- Sergeant
- Sustained charge(s)
- a public employee
- Separated while IA pending
- No
Plain-language summary (this site, from the cited record only)
The Camden County Sheriffs Office suspended Sergeant Michael Olson for 45 days in 2024. The sustained charge was conduct unbecoming a public employee. A Records Support Technician reported in August 2018 that Olson harassed her and clandestinely recorded her with his cell phone without her knowledge or consent. The internal affairs investigation sustained the recording allegation and found violations including neglect of duty, chain of command, and confidentiality.
Synopsis as reported by the agency
On Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at 2:47AM a Records Support Technician sent an email to Administration complaining about being harassed by Sergeant Michael Olson #240. She also complained about Sergeant Olson clandestinely recording her with his cell phone without her knowledge or consent. Another Record Support Technician is a co-complainant in this matter. The record also reflects that after being confronted by the Record Support Technicians, Sgt. Olson withdrew from his post and spent the rest of his shift in a car outside BCI, ignoring a call from his supervising Lieutenant. Sgt. Olson was also found to have questioned a witness involved in the internal affairs investigation. The Internal Affairs investigation sustained the allegation that Sergeant Michael Olson did clandestinely record the Records Support Technicians with his cell phone without their knowledge or consent. The investigation found that Sergeant Olson violated the following Camden County Sheriff's Office, Rules and Regulations: : Members and employees may be charged with for any act or omission in violation of law, police orders, procedures or rules and regulations. Chain of Command: All employees shall conduct all official activities within the established chain of command. Truthfulness: Members and employees are required to be truthful at all times, whether testifying under oath or when not under oath, while reporting and answering questions of superior officers, or internal affairs investigators. A. Untruthfulness refers to false statements, false reports, intentionally incomplete statements or reports, and intentional omissions. B. Untruthfulness to superior officers or during an internal investigation is prohibited. C. Failure to disclose information in criminal or departmental matters is an equal offense Subversive Conduct: Conduct subversive of good order and the discipline of the department are prohibited. Confidentiality: Employees shall not reveal any confidential business of the Office of the Sheriff. They shall not impart confidential information to anyone except those for whom it is intended, or as directed by a commanding officer. Failure to Properly Supervise: Members and employees may be disciplined for failing to; properly supervise subordinates; prefer disciplinary charges; or take other appropriate disciplinary action. Obedience to Laws, Regulations and Policy: Employees shall obey all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, policies and procedures, and general orders of the Office of the Sheriff as applicable. Failure to Comply with Orders: Members and employees must at all times comply with the orders, rules, directives, regulations, policies and procedures, written and oral, from the Sheriff, superior officers and supervisors. Conduct Towards Superior & Subordinate Officers & Associates: Members and employees shall treat superior officers, subordinates, and associates with respect. They shall be courteous and civil at all times in their relationships with one another. When on duty, and particularly in the presence of other members, employees or the public, employees shall demonstrate a positive attitude and refrain from using sarcastic remarks of any kind. All officers of the department, when in the presence of the public, should be referred to by rank. Sgt. Olson received a 45-day suspension.