Detective was suspended for “aspects” of his job performance, sheriff’s documents say

PORT ANGELES — David John Fontenot rose quickly through the ranks of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department, becoming a detective sergeant in 11 years and collecting numerous citations along the way.

Fontenot, who resigned Sept. 22 during an investigation that officially centers around “specific aspects of his job performance,” was also twice suspended for neglectful behavior, according to documents obtained Friday from the Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff’s officials have said little about the details of the investigations into Fontenot and his resignation.

The allegations are not criminal, and an internal investigation has been completed and an outside agency is conducting a separate inquiry, Sheriff Joe Martin said.

Honesty questioned

Fontenot, who could not be reached for comment, is being investigated for acts “which call [Fontenot’s] honesty and integrity into question,” according to court documents filed by county Prosecuting Attorney Deborah Kelly.

Some information in the documents released by the Sheriff’s Department was blacked out, including Fontenot’s birth date.

A California high school “Certificate of Proficiency” in the documents was awarded January 1986.

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