Seneca County Sheriff Jack Stenberg said he continues what he calls a "no nonsense" approach to disciplinary issues within his department.

This comes after an off-duty deputy was recently arrested by state police and charged with DWI.

When he campaigned for Seneca County sheriff, Jack Stenberg vowed to discipline and even terminate employees that bring discredit to the department.

He said this latest incident is another bump in the road on the way to cleaning things up.

Early Monday morning, off-duty Deputy Jason Lanphear, 29, a three-year member of the department, allegedly ran a stop sign at the intersection of Burgess Road and Route 318 in the town of Junius.

State police said Lanphear went through the intersection and ended up in a field. They said he left the scene and was located a short time later at his home.

Lanphear has been charged with DWI and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

"It does bring a negative light on our office and what we're trying to do," Stenberg said. "When people make those decision I can't go back to the drawing board again, we've already been there. So I have to react from that incident and do what I have to do."

Sheriff Stenberg said that despite this latest incident, he is making strides in cleaning up the department and that it will soon be fully accredited, which should help change the public's perception.

Since taking office less than two years ago, Stenberg said he has dealt with several disciplinary issues, some major and others minor. It has resulted in the conviction of two employees and the termination of four others.

He said it is all part of the department's zero tolerance policy.

The sheriff's department placed Lanphear on administrative leave pending both the criminal and an internal investigation.