By STEVE WEBSTER
Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND — Until Monday, Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir remained silent concerning a Class A misdemeanor charge issued by the Barton County Attorney’s Office.

On Nov. 1, the county attorney issued a summons for Bellendir to appear in court following an investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

According to court records, Bellendir is accused of “ill-treating a man in handcuffs by speaking to him in a vulgar, insulting, rude or angry manner” while serving an arrest warrant on Aug. 10 in Great Bend.

Bellendir is also accused of striking the confined man — Nathan Manley, Ellinwood — on the side of his head.

Following Monday’s Barton County Commission meeting, Bellendir addressed commissioners and the media concerning the charges and announced he had turned down a plea bargain agreement offered by the county attorney’s office.

“We will continue to do what we do, and I’m going to continue to be sheriff as long as I can,” Bellendir said. “They may get me in the end, but I’ve decided to fight and stand up for my office. I’m not going to tolerate misrepresentation from another elected official’s office that I believe are untrue.

“The misdemeanor charge is the least of my concern. The action that might be taken by Kansas C-Post that holds law enforcement certification has given me no indication of what they intend to do.”

C-Post is the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, which reviews certification by Kansas Law Enforcement Officers. Barton County Attorney Amy Mellor, who brought charges against the sheriff, is a voting member on the C-Post’s 12-member board.

Bellendir’s trial is currently set for 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 26, in Barton County District Court.