Undersheriff put on administrative leave amid investigation

Whatcom County undersheriff Steve Harris was placed on paid administrative leave August 30 amid an investigation of multiple human resources complaints, according to a September 4 press release from Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley.
Little information regarding the details of the complaints were made available by Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), other than that complaints against Harris were sent to both Tanksley and the county human resources department, the investigation did not include criminal allegations and an independent investigator will be conducting the investigation.
“The public holds government employees to a high level of conduct: we do, too,” Tanksley wrote in the statement. “At the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, integrity is a cornerstone value that helps ensure we are serving all community members and WCSO staff fairly, equitably and consistent with our mission.”
Tanksley added in his statement that paid administrative leave does not mean the allegations against the employee are true, and is a routine, non-disciplinary practice during an investigation.
Harris has served at WCSO for over 28 years where he served as a deputy and detective, and was promoted to undersheriff in 2023. Harris is a former president of the Whatcom County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild, the local sheriff’s union, and ran unsuccessfully for sheriff in 2011.
WCSO public information officer Deb Slater did not respond to questions regarding details or timelines of the investigation.