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Salt Lake Utah Undersheriff Accused of Illegal Hunting.
Tuesday, October 30, 2001
BY TOM WHARTON, THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Salt Lake County Undersheriff Jim Bell has been placed on administrative leave during an investigation into whether he illegally shot an elk while hunting in Emery County.
Sheriff Aaron Kennard confirmed he placed Bell on leave Monday morning. Bell is the second-highest-ranking officer in the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office behind Kennard. Kennard said Bell's duties will be covered by deputies during his leave.
Emery County Deputy Attorney Brent Langston said Monday that no charges have been filed against Bell, "although I anticipate having something soon."
Langston confirmed that the criminal allegations against Bell involve the undersheriff illegally killing an elk Oct. 7.
According to Langston, Bell made the kill during elk hunting season, but "it was a spike-only hunt. The question is whether he took something that was not a spike, [and] his intent."
Division of Wildlife Resources chief of law enforcement Bob Elswood confirmed there was an investigation.
"It happened during the open bull elk season, which runs from October 6 to October 18," Elswood said. "We have the details, but our guys took it to the county attorney. We have to rely on them to prosecute."
Elswood would release no more details until charges are filed.
Attempts to reach Bell and his attorney were unsuccessful Monday.
Kennard said his office would conduct a parallel and routine internal affairs investigation to determine whether "department policies, procedures and ethics were violated."
The Utah Wildlife Board has established spike-only elk hunting regulations in many parts of the state.
A spike bull is defined as a "bull elk that has at least one antler having no branching above the ears." A bull elk, on the other hand, is defined as an elk with antlers longer than 5 inches.
Drawings of what defines a spike and what defines a bull are displayed prominently in the 2001 Utah Big Game Proclamation.
The idea behind "spike-only" hunts is to allow more bull elk to survive and grow into a trophy status where they can be taken in a limited entry hunt and enjoyed by wildlife watchers and photographers. Limited entry permits are more difficult to obtain than spike-only hunts.
Bell is one of Salt Lake County's most prominent law enforcement officers and was one of four finalists for the Salt Lake City police chief position that eventually went to Rick Dinse.
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Tribune reporters Frank Curreri and Joe Baird contributed to this story.
Tuesday, October 30, 2001
BY TOM WHARTON, THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Salt Lake County Undersheriff Jim Bell has been placed on administrative leave during an investigation into whether he illegally shot an elk while hunting in Emery County.
Sheriff Aaron Kennard confirmed he placed Bell on leave Monday morning. Bell is the second-highest-ranking officer in the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office behind Kennard. Kennard said Bell's duties will be covered by deputies during his leave.
Emery County Deputy Attorney Brent Langston said Monday that no charges have been filed against Bell, "although I anticipate having something soon."
Langston confirmed that the criminal allegations against Bell involve the undersheriff illegally killing an elk Oct. 7.
According to Langston, Bell made the kill during elk hunting season, but "it was a spike-only hunt. The question is whether he took something that was not a spike, [and] his intent."
Division of Wildlife Resources chief of law enforcement Bob Elswood confirmed there was an investigation.
"It happened during the open bull elk season, which runs from October 6 to October 18," Elswood said. "We have the details, but our guys took it to the county attorney. We have to rely on them to prosecute."
Elswood would release no more details until charges are filed.
Attempts to reach Bell and his attorney were unsuccessful Monday.
Kennard said his office would conduct a parallel and routine internal affairs investigation to determine whether "department policies, procedures and ethics were violated."
The Utah Wildlife Board has established spike-only elk hunting regulations in many parts of the state.
A spike bull is defined as a "bull elk that has at least one antler having no branching above the ears." A bull elk, on the other hand, is defined as an elk with antlers longer than 5 inches.
Drawings of what defines a spike and what defines a bull are displayed prominently in the 2001 Utah Big Game Proclamation.
The idea behind "spike-only" hunts is to allow more bull elk to survive and grow into a trophy status where they can be taken in a limited entry hunt and enjoyed by wildlife watchers and photographers. Limited entry permits are more difficult to obtain than spike-only hunts.
Bell is one of Salt Lake County's most prominent law enforcement officers and was one of four finalists for the Salt Lake City police chief position that eventually went to Rick Dinse.
_________
Tribune reporters Frank Curreri and Joe Baird contributed to this story.
