Glazier calls investigation politically motivated

The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office deputy who returned to work last week after two months on paid leave said he stands by his claim that the complaint against him was politically motivated.

That complaint launched an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, and, meanwhile, Glazier is running for Freeborn County sheriff. The Olmsted County Attorney’s Office cleared Dale Glazier, a rural Albert Lea resident, of any potential criminal charges tied to allegations of misconduct. A news release sent out last week said the complaint against Glazier was not sustained and discipline would not be warranted.

Glazier, meeting with the Tribune on Monday, said he thinks the complaint and subsequent investigation were used to tarnish his name.

“It’s purely political,” he said.

Glazier will face off against incumbent Sheriff Bob Kindler and fellow deputy Kurt Freitag in the Aug. 12 primary election.

Glazier said he was accused of threatening, intimidating and holding a group of three boys against their will in the locker room at Southwest Middle School after they reportedly assaulted his great-nephew, of whom he has custody.

He said his great-nephew was riding home in a school bus from a baseball game at the end of May in Owatonna when two other boys on the bus started punching him. One boy reportedly punched him six to eight times and the other punched him 10 to 12 times, he estimated.

When his great-nephew — whom Glazier calls his son — got home, Glazier said he called one of his partners from the Sheriff’s Office to document the injuries.

The next day, on his day off, he explained what had happened to school officials to see if any action could be taken. After being turned away, he talked with the coaches, who said Glazier could talk to the boys.

With one coach present in the locker room at the school, Glazier said he talked with three boys about bullying, sportsmanship and working together as a team.

“I was off duty, not in uniform, not representing the Sheriff’s Office in any way or form,” he said.

From the incident, he said, he was accused of screaming at the boys, tampering with witnesses and even abuse. One of the boy’s parents complained to the Sheriff’s Office.

Glazier said he was placed on paid leave only a few hours after he filed for office, leading him to believe it was politically motivated. He noted he did not receive a copy of the complaint against him until seven weeks later.

When asked about the complaint and investigation, Freeborn County Sheriff Bob Kindler said the incident in question happened at least a week before authorities received the complaint.

He said other than knowing that the complaint was made by a woman — the mother of one of the other boys — he does not know who else was involved.

“To this day I have no idea what the complaint said,” Kindler said. “I haven’t seen it. I haven’t seen any of the investigation reports. I don’t know anything about it, which is the way I wanted it.

“I will defend this story forever because it’s the absolute truth.”

Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson and Chief Deputy Glen Strom ultimately decided to send the case to the Rochester Police Department for the investigation and the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office for review, said Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever.

Glazier said since he has returned to work he has faced other concerns, namely a changed schedule and a lack of communication.

Kindler said schedules during the week of the Freeborn County Fair are subject to reorganization and noted that communication is “a two-way street.”

The Tribune has requested a copy of the initial complaint, and Kluever said he expected that might be available as early as today after it is reviewed by Assistant County Attorney Erin O’Brien.