Ronnie Thompson

ROCKY MOUNT -- Ronnie Thompson finds himself in an interesting position these days: He's the newest member of the Franklin County Board of Supervisors, and at the same time he's working to help the county sheriff's office become accredited for the first time.

The sheriff's office is under scrutiny after an investigation and a subsequent grand jury report.

Applying for accreditation was one of the special grand jury's recommendations. Another result of the investigation was the arrest of Sheriff Ewell Hunt, who has been charged with not properly maintaining records -- a misdemeanor. Hunt remains in his post and, through his attorney, has maintained his innocence.

The special grand jury recommended the board of supervisors monitor the accreditation process and ensure that its recommendations are being followed.

As an elected supervisor, Thompson is part of that body, which also approves the sheriff's office budget.

Meanwhile, the former full-time deputy -- who is now a private investigator -- is getting part-time pay from the sheriff's office for his work as its accreditation manager. Thompson was upfront about the matter on Wednesday, saying: "There is no conflict of interest. I'm not doing anything wrong."

Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney Cliff Hapgood agreed.

Thompson, who represents the Boone District on the board, said he contacted Hapgood before he took office to make him aware of his past and current job with the sheriff's office and his job as a private investigator. He asked Hapgood to research any possible conflicts of interest with his new role.

Hapgood replied -- in a letter that Thompson carries with him -- that neither the state constitution nor the state code prohibits him from serving in both positions.

The State and Local Government Conflict of Interest Act does not address situations where an elected official works for the local government it governs.

As to whom he may be working for as a private investigator, Thompson declined to disclose any details because of the nature of his business.

He did say that he would not work on an active case being investigated by the sheriff's office.

"My record is impeccable and I plan on keeping it that way," he said.

Thompson said he works anywhere from 20 to 32 hours a week in the sheriff's office and keeps time sheets and pay stubs that he offers up for review.

As the accreditation manager, Thompson is working on writing 187 policies to submit to the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission for accreditation. Thompson is not the first supervisor to sit on the board and work in a county department, said County Administrator Rick Huff.

"The appearance may make people question, but it's not prohibited," he said.

In the past, working and retired teachers have served on the board, and Supervisor David Cundiff was working for the commonwealth's attorney when he joined the board in 2007, Huff said.

"It's really not that rare," he said.

Thompson, who retired from his full-time sheriff's office job in 2007, is the third former full-time employee of the sheriff's office now on the board. Cundiff and board Chairman Charles Wagner worked as investigators before they joined the board.