Tehama County Sheriff Dave Kain calls for investigation into Hydrick – Red Bluff Daily News

Tehama County Chief Administrative Officer Gabriel Hydrick is waiting to speak after Sheriff Dave Kain Tuesday afternoon. (George Johnston/Daily News)

RED BLUFF — A pause had to be called after a shocking public display of employee infighting at the Tehama County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday.

During staff reports, Sheriff Dave Kain raised concerns about the statement Chief Administrator Gabriel Hydrick released to the media. Kain's father had also spoken out against Hydrick's statement at a previous meeting.

One of the sheriff's biggest issues regarding the media statement was an alleged attack on his family. Hydrick mentioned that the sheriff had the option of hiring a family member and sending a family member to the academy. Yet he didn't mention anything about the Kain clan in this statement.

The sheriff called this completely inappropriate. He also took exception to financial figures Hydrick provided to the media, saying $154,000 was spent on the helicopter program, not the $574,000 the chief administrator allegedly claimed.

Kain took issue with a press release issued by Hydrick on behalf of the Council, which he called critical of the Sheriff's Office. The sheriff claimed he was asked to file a complaint regarding Hydrock's actions. He wants an investigation into him.

“There has been a process going on here for some time and I understand that Mr. Hydrick doesn't want this made public because it doesn't look very good for him and the actions he has taken in the media ” Kain said.

Supervisor Matt Hansen was disappointed by the sheriff's presentation. The Commission instructed him to summarize his allegations in a format that the Commission could then evaluate and determine how to proceed. He said the Council has not yet received this. The supervisor says this is standard practice for handling staff complaints.

“As we receive more information, dates, specific times and allegations, the Board will evaluate that and determine how to move forward,” Hansen said.

Kain said Hansen received this complaint in writing via email to the Board. The sheriff said Hansen might be disappointed in him, but the supervisor knows these complaints are ongoing.

Hansen countered that proper procedures must be followed and that Hydrick is entitled to those rights like any other county employee.

Supervisor Candy Carlson said the board needs to hold a performance review meeting to inform staff of which direction to take.

Michael Kain, the sheriff's father, later told Hansen that he had made a fool of himself.

Hydrick declined to comment for this discussion. He said people have been trying to get rid of him since his second day on the job.

Carlson called it an inappropriate comment because when the county hired Hydrick, they had to investigate some of his social media posts.