Jail director resigns over inappropriate video

Friday, November 20, 2009, 4:36:10 PM

By ANDREW TOBIAS
Staff Writer

The director of the Delaware County Jail has resigned after an internal investigation found he violated the Delaware County Sheriff's Office's code of conduct.

Chris L. Smith, 34, tendered his resignation from his $51,002-a-year job Friday afternoon, effective immediately. While on duty at the jail and in uniform, Smith electronically sent an inappropriate video of himself to a female employee of a contracted private company that provides medical services to jail inmates, Sheriff Walter L. Davis III said.

The investigation was not criminal in nature.

Smith came into the sheriff's office Friday and admitted to his misconduct before resigning, Davis said.

"He admitted he had disappointed this office, myself and his team members in making some bad choices," Davis said.

When asked if the video was sexual in nature, Davis said: "That's an accurate statement."

Davis said he was unsure of the relationship between Smith and the female employee, who is no longer employed with Health Professionals Ltd. Since she was not a county employee, the county does not have a personnel record on file. A representative of HPL could not be reached for comment.

Smith had been on unpaid leave since Nov. 9, when the investigation began. Smith had worked as jail director since Nov. 2008, and had been employed by the county since March 2008. He previously worked for the Morrow County Sheriff's Office for 10 years.

He had not received any prior disciplinary action. A personnel review prior to taking the jail director job was positive, but found Smith "needs to be mindful of his nonproductive activities to be able to complete daily tasks."

The investigation stemmed from an anonymous letter sent to the Delaware County commissioners, who forwarded it onto the sheriff's office.

Davis said Smith's conduct was not representative of his staff as a whole.

"This is not a reflection on this office, and the office doesn't feel that way," he said.

Lt. Colleen Smith, a 22-year veteran of the sheriff's office, is serving as the interim jail director until a permanent replacement is selected.

atobias@delgazette.com