This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Daggett County Republicans have nominated an outsider as the county's new sheriff after changing the job description amid a shortage of local candidates.
The county's Republican Party Central Commission chose Erik Bailey, of Ogden, to replace former Sheriff Jerry Jorgensen, who resigned in April amid a state investigation into alleged inmate abuse at the county jail.
The Daggett County Commission is scheduled to meet Friday and is expected to confirm Bailey as the county works on what commission Chairman Chad Reed described as a "culture change" within the Sheriff's Office.
"His law enforcement experience, coupled with his educational achievements, bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to Daggett County," states the news release. "We are pleased to welcome him here and look forward to the benefits he will bring to Daggett County and the Sheriff's Office going forward."
An original job posting at the county's headquarters in Manila said candidates interested in replacing Jorgensen must be Daggett County residents for six months before applying, a requirement that was waived.
After receiving applications from employees who worked under Jorgensen amid the abuse scandal, Republicans sought counsel from the state to broaden the search and include candidates from outside the county. The county received applications from candidates who didn't meet requirements set by the Peace Officer Training and Certification Act, but the law gives appointees two months to receive the required training.
The County Commission appointed Commissioner Jack Lytle as acting sheriff last month to lead the office and the jail, which remains empty after the Department of Corrections removed 80 inmates in February.
Daggett — the state's northeasternmost county, which comprises about 1,100 residents — is paid for each inmate it houses, and its budget took a significant hit after the removal.
"We're headed in a positive direction," Reed said. "I know that we have good people that are working for us in the rest of the departments. Those that are remaining I know are really good, quality people."
If approved, Bailey — who has the necessary certifications — would serve the remaining two years of the term. He served until March as a lieutenant with the Grantsville Police Department, about four hours away from Daggett.
Jorgensen voluntarily resigned April 24 and has since been charged — along with four former deputies — after a monthslong investigation of alleged inmate abuse. Jorgensen was charged in 8th District Court with misdemeanors for allegedly failing to safely keep inmates, obstruction of justice and official misconduct.
Between April 2016 and April 2017, a deputy sheriff allegedly assaulted inmates with a stun gun, and inmates were exposed to "harm from K-9s brought into the jail to be trained as service dogs" at the county jail, according to charges, which say Jorgensen provided false information regarding a criminal offense and didn't investigate criminal conduct by his employees.
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