Dear Editor,

This is in regard to failure of Gila County Sheriff to fulfil the Oath of Office, Dereliction of Duty and violation of the Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training (AZPOST) Ethical Rules.

On March 3, 2016, my credit card company informed me that someone was using my credit card number and attempting to make purchases. When entering information into a website that I frequently use to purchase items, I discovered that it was my next-door neighbor as the only other possible recipients with my credit card information. I had never sent anything to or on my behalf of my neighbors and they have never been on my computer with my consent.

I immediately made a hard copy of my accounts where my neighbors appeared on my computer. All documents were turned over to the Sheriff’s Department and to date the Sheriff’s Department has done nothing.

According to Arizona Revised Statues 13-2102, a person commits theft of credit card or obtains a credit card by fraudulent means, if the person controls a credit card without the cardholders’ consent through conduct prescribed in 14-1802 or 13-1804. Arizona Revised Statue 13-1802 includes when a person without lawful authority controls property of another knowing or having reason to know that the property was stolen. Theft of a credit card or obtaining a credit card by fraudulent means is a class 5 felony. Thanks to my credit card company, my neighbors were not successful in depriving me of any money. However, even the attempt to steal credit card information or the attempt to obtain credit card information by fraudulent means is still a class 6 Felony according to Arizona Revised Statue 13-1001.

Since March 3, 2016, I have spoken to the Sheriff and four other employees of the Sheriff’s Department and still nothing has been done. I have repeatedly requested updated information to avail. In trying to understand the dereliction of duty, it was brought to my attention that one of the next-door neighbors implicated in this crime is a retired Sheriff’s employee.

The Sheriff’s Office has a clear conflict of interest in the investigation of this crime and if nothing else, their inaction gives the appearance of impropriety. The relationship between the accused and the Sheriff’s Department appears to be having an impact on their ability to carry out their oath of office. In addition to violating their oath of office, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office is also in violation of the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board Code of Ethics, which requires officers to act with impartiality and due diligence.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office has the duty and responsibility to protect all citizens of Gila County. This means the law should be applied equally to all citizens with no exceptions and without the appearance of impropriety.

As a victim, I simply want my case to be Impartially investigated and prosecution pursed.

Fred Klinger

Globe