Indicted Suffolk Sheriff Steven Tompkins will “step away” from his post, both the governor and AG announced this morning.

Both said in a statement that Tompkins has agreed to “agreed to step away from his position.”

“The allegations against Sheriff Tompkins are serious,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “The Suffolk County Sheriff is responsible for managing more than a thousand employees, hundreds of inmates and programs that are essential to public safety and rehabilitation. It is a full-time job that demands full time attention. The people of Massachusetts need to be able to trust in the integrity of the criminal justice system and that their elected officials are fully engaged in the work of serving the public.”

AG Andrea Campbell was next:

“This is the right step for the Sheriff’s Office and the public as a whole, as it avoids prolonged proceedings before the Supreme Judicial Court,” said Campbell.

The joint statement was sent via email this morning after both had remained silent on the sheriff’s arrest.

This is a developing story …