A group of detention officers started sending out the offensive e-mails as a joke earlier this month, which contained graphic sexual language and offensive racial remarks.

Officers said that the e-mails started out as a joke amongst themselves, before someone accidentally sent the e-mails to other county employees.

Those employees notified their supervisors and an investigation has now been launched.

"We're looking at it very closely and will take the appropriate level of
action based on the totality of the facts," Undersheriff Bob Hinshaw said.

Hinshaw said that two to six employees were part of the e-mail chain, although not all of them actively participated. The goal is to figure out why the e-mails began and who exactly was involved.

Those responsible for the e-mails face anything from verbal counseling to termination.

All department employees must sign an e-mail policy specifically stating that they will not knowingly communicate, download or forward anything that could be offensive to others based on ethnicity or sex.

Hinshaw said that while this type of offensive e-mail situation does happen, it does not happen often.

"And I think i can assure you these people that are involved in this the
investigation is still ongoing they're already learning that lesson this is
very embarrassing to them adn reallyw e ahve people who take pride in the
work they do and really something like this is embarrassing to all of us," Hinshaw said.