By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A 10-year veteran of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office has been fired over his manner of dealing with two assaultive inmates.
Sheriff Steve Mansfield said Trevor S. Smith worked in the jail where he was promoted to sergeant in 2011. He was terminated June 27 for an incident at the beginning of this year and another last year, Mansfield said.
The longtime corrections officer abused and exceeded his authority, Mansfield said.
It was the way they were treated, the way they were contained that was a problem, and how Smith handled it was inappropriate, the sheriff said without going into much detail.
“Both situations involved inmates who were acting out and assaulted staff, situations that needed immediate intervention,” he said. “That’s what it is; it’s disgusting and embarrassing for this organization.”
Mansfield said he is reluctant to say more, as Smith is appealing his firing, and the sheriff worries about jeopardizing any termination hearing that may come up.
Meanwhile, Smith was arrested on Monday at his home in Chehalis for a discovery made after he left, that he allegedly had been snooping into secure jail computer records.
“He had no business accessing administrative and personnel files,” Mansfield said. “There’s a reason for them being secure.
Mansfield said he used someone else’s password.
Some deleted files have been recovered but the primary issue is he should not have been reading them and collecting information, the sheriff said.
Smith was booked Monday into the Lewis County Jail for five counts of computer trespass, a class C felony with a maximum penalty of five years in prison, according to the sheriff. He was housed at another jail until his hearing in Lewis County Superior Court yesterday and then released by the judge, Mansfield said.
The criminal allegations, investigation and arrest were handled by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.
The inmate treatment issues were investigated internally.
Mansfield said after the most recent incident, Smith was taken out of any role that involved contact with inmates and put on administrative duties, in an office next to the jail chief’s.
Mansfield spoke in general about the duty of care to the people housed in his jail. Feeding, housing and making sure they are safe is his obligation under the law, he said.
Corrections officer have a variety of ways to contain or isolate problem inmates, including using whatever level of force is necessary, but only until the point the situation is stabilized, he said.
“If they do something wrong, the judge decides the level of punishment, not me,” he said. “When people cross that line and make it their role to punish someone, you’ve got problems.”
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Really Ron, I treat people with respect and because I have a unpaid ticket I should be treated like a dog??? Maybe you should try for his job if thats what you think an officer should do. I never gave him any grief and thanked him for his service and HE not ME chose to be an ass.
As a matter of fact I recall every time that smug asshole delivered our food trays nearly every girl said thank you and he couldnt even say your welcome. Granted it’s not his job to make us all happy but you aren’t getting my respect when you cant give me a “Your Welcome” instead you get a dirty look like we killed a small child for fun or something. Wow, driving offenses such as unpaid tickets get treated like a murder was commited and he’s better than us. Hopefully all people with this job will see that THEY too can be the one waiting for a food tray some day.
Fenuchi-
I hope you RSVP’d your doctor about the phenomena you came down with.
How is this any different than big brother spying on citizens? Apparently spying on law enforcement is frowned upon?? Sheriffs office is eating their own? something is not right here. Since little information exists about the incidences that involves Sargent Smith one can reasonably read between the lines on this one.
Personally, I would like to hear from those who have actual information on this man. Inmates would be the most likely to see how he behaves when he thinks no one in authority is watching.
The attitude that inmates should get not only their legal punishment, but also whatever is dished out by corrupt, small-minded staff is probably right in line with that of Trevor S. Interesting, don’t you think? Some of you could be his friends and buddies… or maybe he has access now that he is out and is posting under a false name. Oh wait, he wouldn’t violate the LAW like that … would he?
Let’s just hope that that pig Mansfield ‘ lies and own history of being full of crap come out in the wash.
All you dopes who think inmates should be molly coddled need to be the victim of those inmates’ stupidity and aggression. Maybe then you’d be singing another tune.
Mansfield, karma will make an appearance eventually, and all you criminals posting will undoubtedly be back in the system. Can’t wait for the day.
Wow, here we go again… Thank You Sheriff Mansfield for doing the right thing and taking an obviously intolerable deputy off the job. Just goes to show that you are on the ball and not afraid to take a hard line internally. Melissa, what is RSVP in regards to a sick child? & Ericka, just by what you wrote you seem to be just the kind of person Lewis County needs to be rid of. Do us a favor, move to Seattle. Jail food is better in the big city….
Good for Steve Mansfield. There are still rules COs must follow when dealing with inmates, even assaultive ones. Unless it is a down and dirty fight for the life of the CO there is established procedures and there should be no personal vendetta or excessive force. As far as the snooping, just the fact he used someone else’s password displays his intent to knowingly violate the law. It will now be up to the courts to get to the truth.
Re: Welfare Babies are always sick? WTF ? Please tell me you did not breed . Just you saying that makes you a sicker human being then any welfare baby.
Confused–
I caught a bad case of phenomena while driving past Area51.
Ericka,
I don’t blame you a bit for feeling that way. I experienced that a few times in cowlitz county. Oh how they change their tune when the tables are turned.
I couldn’t laugh any harder than I just did. Ha Ha Trevor!! I’m no saint and have and will most likely do more time in L.C.J someday, but I’ve never done any thing so horrible that I should have to take the shit he would dish to ALL inmates. He was an asshole that thought he was a superior being to all inmates. I’ve seen him and experienced it first hand from that fat head. So HA-HA-Ha- freaking HA to you Trevor. May you get the same treatment that you gave, you dog.
heh heh what he said heh heh
Welfare babies are always sick….
I’m sorry…I’m not exactly sure how a baby comes down with RSVP and phenomena…
Melissa –
How old are you, 12?
The law doesn’t pause because a baby is sick in the hospital.
You didn’t give enough information to make this relevant to any part of this story, you just don’t like that T.Smith bothered your mother.
How about keeping your personal opinion of an officer doing his job to yourself. I’m sure T.Smith’s side of the story would have more to say about your mother than you would care to share.
TRevor Smith is an idiot. He punished my mom for being in Mary Bridge hospital with her 8 day old grand daughter while she fought for her life. Her grand baby was born with pulmonary valve stenosis, phenomena, RSVP, & E-coli. He punished the grandma for being up there as her grand baby was there for 23 days. She was a wreck and he made her life hell while he was breaking the law himself. Shame on him.