Iowa Sheriff

Can a sheriff's office be liable if a deputy commited a crime while on duty. ?

For example, the deputy was doing an investigation and he then used that excuse to illegally hack into ones email account to then disclose the personal emails to others to defame them. When the person complained to the Sheriff, he did nothing. The deputy admitted to breaking the law and told the Sheriff that he would gladly do it again. When the person who was the victim of the crime called around to persons on the civil service commission, the Sheriff called the victims attorney and instructed them to send the message to the victim, which was "they are barking up the wrong tree." The victim made another complaint, this time to the chief deputy regarding the same deputy who had another deputy call the home of the victim and tricked that person regarding visitation with the deputiess and victims children. "Victim" is the ex of deputy. The victim complained that the deputy was using the office and other deputies to get involved in family matters. Nothing happened. The deputy continues to defame the victim and won't turn over the stolen emails when so ordered by the family court. Who is the "victim" to go to. Can't the Sheriff be liable for not upholding the law and doing nothing regarding the deputy including the deputies crime? It doesn't matter if I don't want it to be made public or not. The fact is no one has a right to illegally hack into ones private email accounts especially a police officer who well knows its against the law. Plus its not a good idea to use police equipment to commit the crime as well. Then for the entire dept to "cover it up" and not do anything about it is shameful too. This is addressed to LovestheConstitution: I'm searching for attorney, the hard thing is getting one who will go against the police dept. Getting the opinions of others and putting the question out there may shed light regarding others who have found them in similar circumstances. I have found conflicting opinions while researching the law, and asking this question may give me an idea on what a jury may decide in civil case.

Public Comments

1. yes the deputy and the department can be held accountable the Sherriff can also be held personally accountable if he is aware of these actions and does nothing.
2. These are great questions to ask your lawyer. Compared to the advice your lawyer will provide, what is the value of guesses and opinions of strangers online?
3. Only if it can be shown that the Sheriff was neglegent in his work managing the actions of the Deputy. It sounds to me like they found something which may be thrown out of evidence, but which you are not happy about being made public.
4. Usually a morals clause is singed as a catch-all,but only used as as a last resort.If you truely feel violated a lawyer would be your best bet. All complaints will reguarding this officer will be kept in his/her personel file.