Did Saline County Chief Deputy Dustin Robertson Violate Policy On A Sexual Harassment Complaint ?….The Facts Prove Yes
Jan 26, 2026
In early December, I was contacted about a Sexual Harassment Complaint made by Saline County Deputy and School Resource Officer Raelyn Fashank against her supervisor, Lt. James Bell, in September of 2024.
The allegation was that the incident was swept under the rug with no action taken.
By the second week of January, several other people contacted me about the issue and rumors were beginning to swirl in Saline County about it….That’s when I decided to investigate what happened.
Let’s begin by talking about what many overlook….Reality.
Saline County Sheriff Rodney Wright is running for State Senate and his Chief Deputy Dustin Robertson is running to replace him as Sheriff. Both are Republicans and face opponents in the March Republican Primary.
Now would this issue have ever hit my desk if not for that ?….No it would not….That’s the reality.
Here’s the thing though….I don’t control when I receive information on issues and I don’t have a dog in the fight on either campaign.
I investigate issues of corruption and right vs wrong….I don’t do it for political reasons.
Having said that, let’s talk about the facts of what happened and more importantly…. what didn’t happen.
A lot to unpack so stay with me a minute.
The following is the SCSO Policy definition of Sexual Harassment.
Now the Saline County Ordinance on Sexual Harassment goes into much more depth defining it and what should happen if it occurs.
It’s important to state and to understand both to legitimately label the complaint sexual harassment.
The complaint made by Fashank to Chief Robertson is very detailed raising serious concerns….Well worth the read.
I reached out to Fashank to discuss her complaint, and she very politely declined citing Policy that required her to refer me to the SCSO Public Information Officer.
However, I did speak with Lt. Bell and he categorically denied all the allegations in the complaint.
Bell stated that he was not trying to get approval to attend a conference with Fashank and other Deputes in Orlando. He said he stated to Fashank and other female Deputies that he was opposed to the SCSO Office spending money “Just so ya’ll sit on the beach in Bikinis.”
He then stated that he had no inappropriate contact with any employee with the Sheridan School District.
As to the shower incident in the complaint, Bell says Fashank’s claim is not what happened at all. He said he expressed his frustration to her for having to wait so long before he could shower and stated to her “Don’t be so long in the shower.”
Bell went on to say that Captain Shamlin witnessed the entire conversation which Fashank claimed as well.
As to the retaliation, Bell claims that was impossible due to the fact that when the complaint was made to Robertson he was immediately removed from Fashank’s chain of command. However, if you remember in Fashank’s complaint, she stated the retaliation happened before she filed it which is before Bell was removed from her chain of command.
Bell finished up by stating “I did not sexually harass her.”
Now can I tell you that Fashank was sexually harassed by Bell ?….No I cannot.
I’m not saying the allegations are true or false…. What I am saying is that my investigation found no proof to back them up.
Now here’s what I can say is Fact….Robertson did not follow SCSO Policy to investigate the complaint….Not even close.
The Policy for investigating this complaint could not be more detailed and more clear.
While Roberston claimed to me that he investigated the complaint, he also admitted through FOI requests and in conversation, that records for the investigation do not exist and were never created.
That’s because a proper investigation done by Policy never took place….Fact.
Under Section 3.8 Internal Investigations and Citizen’s Complaints, Robertson violated the following –
- Procedures – G
- Investigations Procedures – H
- Employer Responsibilities – I
- Dispositions – J
- Post Disposition Procedure – K
On multiple occasions during my investigation, I requested written statements from Wright and Robertson on the issue. To date I have not received one from either man.
However, Wright and Robertson did meet with me by phone on the matter and those conversations were not in the least bit adversarial….In fact they were very cordial.
Wright stated that he was made aware of it from the beginning and that “Chief was handling it.”
That’s fair because a Sheriff would not normally handle a complaint like this. They would designate that to the Chief Deputy which Wright did.
He went on to state – “Everybody appeared satisfied with the outcome”, however there are no records to back that up.
I can tell you in my interview with Bell, he never indicated that at all.
I asked Robertson if he approached the complaint by Policy and his response was – “I feel like we did.”….All evidence and proof to the contrary.
He said it ended up being a “he said she said” and that while no discipline was taken, out of an abundance of caution he made the decision to remove Bell from Fashank’s chain of command.
He then stated – “Ultimately Bell made a request to be transferred back to Patrol”, and that transfer took place….However, Bell’s statement to me disputes that.
Bell states that he sent a written transfer request to be moved back to Patrol three weeks before Fashank even filed her complaint….Both can’t be true.
Robertson stated – “We did the right thing….Did we do the best job of documenting it….No.”
He summed the matter up by saying it was properly handled and addressed to her, (Fashank’s), satisfaction.
He finished by stating – “We did what was required.”
Well, no offense to Robertson, but that is not true at all and the facts which prove it is false are indisputable.
Now I think it’s only fair to state that to date Wright and Robertson both have been great in communicating and having conversations with me. They have also been promptly responsive to my FOI requests and I truly appreciate that.
However, that does not negate the fact that Robertson violated five Policies under Section 3.8 Internal Investigations and Citizen’s Complaints.
If the average Deputy committed five Policy violations, do you think they would be disciplined ?….Of course.
It is documented and admitted Fact that Chief Robertson has committed five Policy violations….So what are the odds Sheriff Wright will discipline him for those violations ?
I’m going with Slim and None….and Slim left town.
#FactsNotFiction
Professional Bully Fighter I investigate and report on issues around the State of Arkansas with an emphasis on Government. I am strong conservative however I bring Truth and Facts regardless of Party affiliation….My hashtag is #FactsNotFiction
Recent Comments