CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Public Safety Secretary Jeff Sandy says the investigation of a class photo for training corrections officers appearing to give Nazi salutes is almost complete and should be disclosed to the public by Christmas.
Until then, Sandy said he could not elaborate on the photo.
“Ninety-nine percent of the investigation is completed. We will be preparing a narrative to the governor’s counsel, Brian Abraham, detailing the results of that investigation,” Sandy said today.
“We want the governor’s office to see the results of that investigation.”
Sandy, speaking today on MetroNews’ “Talkline,” said two instructors and a student have been fired already. More than 30 others have been suspended and face firing.
Jeff Sandy talks with @HoppyKercheval about the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation group photo that shows the group giving a Nazi salute. WATCH: https://t.co/wkudfIAoe1 pic.twitter.com/TiKRwUsS58
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) December 6, 2019
The photo drew widespread condemnation on Thursday when it was released to the public.
It shows more than 30 people associated with a state Division of Corrections training class in uniform, raising outstretched arms in salute. The photo includes the West Virginia state seal.
Above the photo is the label “HAIL BYRD,” which state officials have said refers to a class instructor whose last name is Byrd.
State officials released a pdf of the photo on Thursday with the faces blurred.
DCR Basic Training Class 18 2019 11 27 Rotated (Text)
The photo says the class ended the day before Thanksgiving. Sandy today said that’s when higher-level officials found out about it, triggering an investigation by the inspector general unit within the Division of Military Affairs and Public Safety.
Sandy said 40 investigators have conducted more than 50 interviews.
Besides the initial firings, an additional 30 people associated with the photo have received suspension letters. Another class member who is not a state employee had a letter sent to his employer, Sandy said.
“They are entitled to certain legal rights,” Sandy said. “We have to make sure these are handled properly. It does take some time.”
“But all 34 individuals that are left, they did a very terrible thing and caused embarrassment not only to themselves but to the State of West Virginia. Terrible what they did.”
Lawrence Messina, a spokesman for the state, confirmed that was the most recent basic training class for Corrections, which has been challenged to remain adequately staffed.
After completion of training, the new hires were to be assigned to West Virginia correctional facilities.
Messina, in written responses to MetroNews questions, said a preliminary notification of a possible incident was provided to the state Corrections commissioner. From there, it was relayed to Sandy’s office, as well as to the governor’s office.
The governor immediately ordered a full investigation, Messina said, issuing a statement of condemnation after preliminary findings were relayed to the Governor’s Office.
“This will not be tolerated on my watch – within the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation – or within any agency of state government,” Justice stated.
Delegate Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, said the poor judgment of those who were photographed shows that they should not be employed by the state.
“It shows they don’t show the judgment to be entrusted with the lives of West Virginia inmates,” Pushkin said on “Talkline.”
Delegate Kayla Kessinger, R-Fayette, said it’s clear what the salute meant.
“Name one time in your life that you’ve seen anyone making this gesture meaning anything other than what it is,” Kessinger said.
Kessinger said she heard rumors of the photo on Thursday. When she finally saw it, the image was worse than she had imagined.
“When I saw this photo for the first time it was worse than anything I could have imagined it could be,” she said. “Not only is it morally reprehensible but the optics could not be more repugnant.”
She said the image has echoes of Nazis in World War II and the deaths that occurred in concentration camps.
“Men in government-issued uniforms making the salute as they led millions of men, women and children in their slaughter,” Kessinger said.
.@KaylaKessinger and @pushkinforhouse talk with @HoppyKercheval about the WVDCR basic training group photo that shows the group giving the Nazi salute. WATCH: https://t.co/wkudfIAoe1 pic.twitter.com/6yMoPr8Mj8
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) December 6, 2019