Tensions were high in Polk County Monday night, after a debate between the Sheriff and county leaders got heated.
This all stems from Friday's crash of a deputy's patrol car. his department told us the aging cruiser may have been to blame.
It had more than 100 thousand miles on it. 12 other cars do too, says the Sheriff. And he has called on the county to replace them faster; and considers it a safety issue.
One of his deputies told us about it on camera Friday.
But now the Sheriff claims that deputy had his job threatened by the County Manager for talking to us and speaking up about a public safety issue.
That deputy was directed to speak to us by the Sheriff, and was speaking for the department.
Sheriff Chris Abril told us, "Brent (the deputy who spoke) didn't do anything wrong, he was instructed by me to talk to the media, we have freedom of speech."
The County Manager denied calling for a firing, but wouldn't expand on what he in fact said to the Sheriff in a call this morning. But he did tell us he thought the comments made by the department after the crash were in poor taste.
He refused to go on camera for an interview with NewsChannel 7 to tell the county's side of the story further.
In the end, the Sheriff is in fact the only one who can hire and fire deputies.
Finally, the county has agreed to buy three new cars and a used one, the money not there to replace more.
But the board did stress, cars are being bought. Just not at the rate the sheriffs department would like.
The deputy involved in Friday's crash, Deputy Gary Cox, who is ok, was going 75 miles an hour in a 55 mile an hour zone. The County Manager agreed that was an appropriate speed to be going at when responding to an emergency. However, he disputes whether or not the car was to blame.
The Sheriffs office told us on Friday, they would like to retire the cars at 70 or 80 thousand miles, because other agencies do that to ensure maximum safety.
On Friday we asked, (reporter: "Should some of these cars be on the road?) No.. In my opinion no," said Lt. Brent Jackson, speaking for the Sheriff.
He continued, "I think the officers are concerned about vehicles being so old and wore out...they are not gonna be able to handle or perform like they were designed to originally."
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