The time has come for the Jefferson County Legislature to quit delaying an investigation of the Sheriff’s Department.

Yet another report of misconduct surfaced this week with the revelation that a nurse working at the department used her authority to access medical records of someone who is not an inmate, violating the law and potentially opening the county to yet another civil lawsuit against a departmental employee.

It’s the latest in a series of incidents of misbehavior involving Sheriff’s Department employees.

The Legislature has a responsibility to act to protect the county against lawsuits brought on by misconduct and which it must defend against. It also incurs the cost of salaries for anyone suspended with pay. Lawmakers have to step in and exercise their oversight of the department.

The county needs to initiate an independent investigation now.

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