by David Leonhardi
I would like to express appreciation for all of the work and sacrifices from our DSA members over the last few months. Just like any other time our community is faced with a crisis, our members answer the call, they show up to work, and, without hesitation, they put the public interest first. Since the beginning of this pandemic, I’ve seen firsthand and heard stories of deputies putting the public’s health above their own. I know it isn’t always easy, and it isn’t what everyone else would do, but that’s why we get to call ourselves Deputy Sheriffs.
While many of you have continued to come to work, adapt to changes, and quietly soldier forward with the department’s missions, the DSA has continued to work on your behalf. We’ve maintained close communication with the department to monitor the impact of these changes on our members. The DSA has worked with department leaders to address concerns related to shift change premium pay, parking reimbursement, temperature checks, medication distribution, schedule changes, and a whole host of other COVID-related changes.
In several of our discussions with the department, a common theme keeps getting reiterated: Deputies are doing a great job of continuing to show up and take on additional responsibilities during this pandemic. I choose to relay that message to each of you because I want you to know your sacrifices are recognized and greatly appreciated. Believe it or not, other groups of employees are not as willing or able to step up and help support the mission.
I personally think the department has done a great job managing this pandemic and helping to prevent the exposure and spread of COVID-19 to our deputies. I recently learned that just seven department employees had tested positive for coronavirus. While I believe the department has done a great job, it doesn’t mean we don’t have any critiques or criticism. It’s our job at the DSA to hear your concerns and express them in the appropriate way. I want our members to have faith we do that on their behalf.
The DSA recently received several calls and complaints when the department decided to move all deputies assigned to the detentions bureau to a platoon schedule of seven days on and seven days off. The department communicated that change to us, and they were willing to justify the reasons for the schedule change. The schedule change was well-intentioned and done to help prevent exposure and spread of the virus. This was the department’s decision to make and it isn’t an unreasonable one. It likely has helped, as evidenced by the low number of employees who have tested positive.
But most of the calls we received were not from deputies upset that they had to work seven straight days; rather, they were from deputies who didn’t know how they were going to find childcare on such short notice. The deputies were only provided three days’ notice before their schedule was changed. All the deputies in DSB will receive a shift change premium because they didn’t receive 14 days’ notice as required in our contract, but still, the change was not ideal.
Even though the department was very willing to compensate everyone, such a big change on short notice can have unintended consequences. Deputies may start to feel like the department sees them as a number rather than a person. They may believe department leadership doesn’t consider or care about the personal impact the changes have on their lives. Deputies may lose faith and trust in their supervisors, lowering their morale and their motivation to work hard and complete the department’s missions.
The good news I’m hearing through the grapevine, though, is that the department is planning on providing plenty of notice before changing schedules back to normal. And I’m sure everyone is eager to get back to normal. As always, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. It’s our job at the DSA to be your sounding board, but we can’t do that if we don’t hear from you!⭑