“We’re Holding our Employees Accountable,” Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner Speaks After Release of Ongoing Investigation

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — In September, Sheriff Jesse Jahner was contacted by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation regarding an employee. The BCI told Jahner that they were initiating an investigation into Deputy Carson Quam for alleged criminal activity.

“Anytime we have anything like that like I mentioned already, anything that tarnishes the integrity or professionalism of the Cass County Sheriff’s office and when people make those kinds of mistakes we’re going to hold people accountable,” said Jesse Jahner, Cass County Sheriff.

Quam no longer works for the Cass County Sheriff’s office and the investigation is currently ongoing. While the Sheriff’s office has not stated what kind of criminal activity has been involved they want the public to know that their process for hiring people is thorough.

“Our process for hiring people is very very rigorous. It takes people several months before they’re even offered a position here. Typically what it looks like is obviously an application process in the beginning and then you know a background, an intense background process,” said Jahner.

The Sheriff’s office checks potential deputies past employment, financial records, criminal background, and they conduct a polygraph investigation.

“It’s going to be someone that has good communication skills, an individual that can build important relationships with our community,” said Jahner.

Jahner says he believes the current background checks are the best they can be and while there will be mistakes made, they will address them to make the office better for the public.

“As our organization as a whole is that when people do make those mistakes that we’re holding our employees accountable. I think the public expects that from us we’re going to do that as an organization. I as the leader of the organization make sure that we aren’t making mistakes especially if they’re criminal,” said Jahner.

The matter is also being reviewed by Grand Forks and Cass County States Attorney’s Offices.