Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Library release joint statement

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Douglas County Library Director Amy Dodson and Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley met Tuesday to discuss the library's proposed Statement of Diversity, a topic that became very controversial after a letter from Coverley to the library was circulated.

“Sheriff Coverley and I had a very candid conversation about the statement and we both expressed our opinions regarding the intent of our exchanged correspondence,” said Dodson. “We agreed that we both support the people of Douglas County and this may have been an unfortunate circumstance of misunderstanding. The library respects and supports the work of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and appreciates everything they do to keep our community safe.”

Statements were made publicly after the Sheriff posted the letter in question on his department's website about the library's planned diversity policy.

“I am passionate about and proud of the work the Sheriff’s Office does for all members of this community,” said Sheriff Coverley. “This has been a difficult time to be a law enforcement professional and can be disheartening when we perceive that our office may be under attack. My response was rooted in my belief that these issues need to be openly discussed in a way that values diversity and law enforcement.”

The Douglas County Library canceled its July 28 board meeting where the item was up for discussion, and it will be rescheduled.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

he proposed diversity statement verbiage can be found here. http://douglascountynv.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=3085&Inline=True

For more information on the Douglas County Library visit: https://library.douglascountynv.gov/

For more information on the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office visit: https://sheriff.douglascountynv.gov/