Finally, members of the General Assembly have decided to do something about renegade Sussex County Sheriff Jeff Christopher.
We have had numerous posts about the wannabe cop deciding that not only that he had police powers (he doesn’t), that he was the supreme law of the land (he isn’t), and that he was sovereign to all other elected officials in Sussex County (he’s not).
Rep. Dan Short of Seaford and Sen. Gary Simpson of Milford, both Republicans, are the lead sponsors of House Bill 290, which eliminates several references to county sheriffs in parts of the Delaware Code that deal with law enforcement power.
It also adds specific language to numerous sections of the code stating that sheriffs and their deputies do not have arrest authority, including the definition of “Peace Officer,” which Christopher has pointed to as proof his office’s arrest powers.
The bill is supported by the entire House GOP caucus and “leading House Democrats.” House Majority Leader Pete Schwartzkopf repeatedly told the GOP that they were going to have to take the lead on reining in Christopher, since he’s one of theirs.
Christopher, a Republican, said his party’s endorsement of the legislation was a surprise.
“I’m surprised that there’s so many Republican sponsors on it,” he said. “I don’t think they realize what this entails.”
The Sussex County Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to endorse Short’s bill.
Jeff, they do realize what this entails. It means that you are now on notice that you have to obey the law and your oath of office. And if you cannot, you need to resign or face being removed from office.
Christopher vowed to fight the legislation and said he plans to voice his opposition at a committee hearing on HB 290 tentatively scheduled for Wednesday.
“This is a literal attempt to rid the people of their elected office of sheriff,” he said. “Politics as they are in Delaware, they’re prevailing over common sense, law and reason.”
No, Jeff, it’s not. It’s clarifying once and for all that you are not a cop. You’re the one not using common sense, law, or reason. For if you were, we would not be in this position. By all means, show up next Wednesday and make an ass out of yourself. We need some entertainment up at Leg Hall. I do hope that they have more security at Leg Hall next week, because you know the pitchfork-toting teabaggers from Sussex will be there in force.