Reference incident at Hillsborough County Jail

Involving Mr. Brian Sterner

As Sheriff of Hillsborough County, I want to assure Mr. Brian Sterner, as well as the citizens of Hillsborough County, that this incident will be investigated to the fullest. I am personally embarrassed and shocked by the horrific treatment Mr. Sterner received. I cannot and will not even try to offer an explanation for what is seen on the video, other than to say, that once it was brought to my attention, I immediately initiated an internal investigation. The deputy responsible for dumping Mr. Sterner out of his wheelchair has been suspended without pay and the three supervisors that were on duty during that time are also placed on suspension.

The incident involving Mr. Sterner was not caused by a lack of training or procedure. It represents aberrant behavior that is totally out of context with policies, practices and standards of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Last year over 72,000 inmates were processed through Central booking, more than 230 of them came to jail in wheelchairs.