PIO Earle Farrell identified as man suspended for 'inappropriate' Shelby County post

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - Shelby County Sheriff's Office identified Public Information Officer Earle Farrell as the employee who was suspended Monday after a controversial Facebook post was published to the SCSO Facebook page.

Shelby County Sheriff's Office removed the post and relieved Farrell of duty with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

A spokesman for Shelby County Sheriff's Office called the post in question "inappropriate and insensitive." The spokesman also said "Sheriff Bill Oldham sincerely apologizes for these comments."

Latino Memphis said the sheriff's office reached out to the organization. Both groups agreed to sit down to discuss what happened and how to avoid it in the future.

"[The post] took the focus away from the actual crime that was committed, and the blame was put on where people were from," Fabiola Granada said."This is unacceptable and shouldn't have happened. I'm glad they are taking the steps to mend that and take responsibility."

Shelby County Sheriff's Office has already had problems in 2017 with social media posts. Earlier this year, two employees were relieved of duty for offensive posts.

Farrell is a former television reporter in Memphis. He was hired at Shelby County Sheriff's Office as Public Information Officer in 2016.

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