After Grand County deputies accused Sheriff Jamison Wiggins of trying to derail a major drug trafficking prosecution, they turned to state watchdogs and county leaders for action.

The whistleblowers brought their allegations — which the sheriff denies — to the Utah attorney general’s office, police regulators and county leaders. But they encountered a challenge that has surfaced elsewhere in Utah: Who is responsible for policing Utah’s sheriffs?

Other Utah county commissions and councils have faced the same question when misconduct allegations have surfaced. They’ve often determined that, though they are elected to run a county, they aren’t in a position to take action against a sheriff — a fellow elected official.

[Read more: In Grand County, allegations against a sheriff met a system reluctant to act]

Wasatch County: Favoritism found

In Wasatch County, the county council hired a retired judge last year to investigate allegations of retaliation and misconduct in the sheriff’s office.

While the judge did not find “gross mismanagement” or “illegal activities,” he did identify issues with Sheriff Jared Rigby showing favoritism and found many employees feared retaliation for speaking with him.

And after new obstruction of justice allegations emerged against the sheriff in April, Wasatch County Manager Dustin Grabau told the Park Record that there wasn’t much the county could do regarding potentially removing Rigby from his elected role.

“The county does not have the ability to place the sheriff on something like administrative leave that would normally be an option for a regular, appointed employee,” Grabau told the Park Record.

“But as an elected official,” Grabau explained, “the sheriff has a greater degree of independence and autonomy that doesn’t afford the council discretion over whether to place them on leave or something like that.”

Washington County: Severance paid

And in Washington County, former Sheriff Nate Brooksby recently received $100,000 in severance after he abruptly resigned in response to a letter a sheriff deputy’s wife sent to the county commission alleging sexual harassment and interference in an investigation. He has denied wrongdoing.

The Washington County Commission released a statement about the severance, saying that while the money has been questioned, “this situation differs significantly from a typical employment scenario.”

“Unlike a traditional employee,” the statement reads, “an elected official cannot simply be removed or ‘fired’ by any governing body — including a county commission.”

“Elected officials are chosen by the people,” the commission added, “and the law reflects that.”

Grand County: No action

During a 2023 traffic stop, a deputy seized more than 50 pounds of methamphetamine and 13 kilograms of cocaine — but he and others now allege Wiggins tried to get the case dismissed at the behest of a defense attorney, and later retaliated against those who questioned him.

Wiggins denies these allegations, but acknowledged he spoke to a defense attorney about the case after she raised concerns.

The Salt Lake Tribune spoke to seven current and former Grand County sheriff deputies for its recent investigation into the department. The deputies described a workplace where they felt criticism of leadership was viewed as disloyalty and where even small symbols of status — such as a directive that only Wiggins and his chief deputy wear cowboy hats in staff photos — became points of resentment among employees.

But the most serious dispute centered around accusations that Wiggins, the sheriff, had pushed to have charges dropped in the 2023 drug case after he was contacted by a local defense attorney. The deputy who made the arrest, Joshua Stalpes, told The Tribune that Wiggins told him to “get this case dismissed” and that it “wasn’t worth it.” And, at one point, sheriff texted Stalpes: “I’m trying to convince [the prosecutor] to drop your case tomorrow.”

The defense attorney, Happy Morgan, said she felt there were problems with Stalpes’ investigative methods which she alleged were not in line with the law or county policies. (A conflict prosecutor later dismissed the case, citing a lack of admissable evidence.)

Wiggins denied pressuring Stalpes or the original Grand County prosecutor. He said that he did speak about the case with Morgan, who had called him after Stalpes had testified and recommended that the sheriff look into it.

Stalpes, two other sheriff’s office employees and a prosecutor went to the Utah attorney general’s office asking for an investigation, which didn’t file a case. He then went to police regulators, who declined to do an investigation and suggested to his attorney that he bring his concerns to the Grand County Commission.

The commission has not taken up its own inquiry.