The Forsyth County Civil Service Board discussed the appeal of a local sheriff’s deputy four more than two hours in a closed session Thursday.

The board did not reach a decision during its executive session, and has called a meeting for Aug. 23 to announce whether it will uphold or overturn the eight-hour suspension Sgt. Scott Wilson received.

The new position statement review process, which Wilson is the first to use, allows the board to use the less time-intensive review for disciplinary actions up to and including eight-hour suspensions.

Both Wilson and the sheriff's office submitted their cases in writing, and the board can ask follow-up questions.

Wilson received the suspension for “neglect of duty” while working an off-duty security job March 10 at the Coo Coo's Nest.

A June 12 letter from Lt. Col. D.T. Smith stated that Wilson "failed to take appropriate action on the occasion of a crime scene, as well as document the violation of law and an injury to another while working the extra job."

According the sheriff’s office investigatory review, Wilson was escorting a man from the restaurant when the customer fell on a woman, who was injured as a result.

Wilson did not file a report for the incident because he did not see the woman get hurt.

“It has not been customary at the sheriff’s office for an incident report to be completed for mere allegations of an injured person,” he wrote.

The sheriff’s office pointed to a written policy that states “official records be prepared and maintained to document every reported law enforcement activity, whether originated by a citizen or agency employee.”

Wilson contended in his final reply of the written statement process that he did not violate agency policy, citing from a law enforcement standard book that “the manual is meaningless because the custom is the policy.”

He also alleges workplace harassment due to his support of sheriff candidate Duane Piper, which he stated includes his recent transfer to the jail and delay in receiving a Medal of Valor.

Piper, a former longtime employee of the agency, is challenging incumbent Ted Paxton in Tuesday’s runoff election.

The winner of the Republican contest likely will secure the post as no Democrats or independent candidates are running in the Nov. 6 general election.