by Deputy Brian Bentley for the March 2021 Silver Star
As the summer of 2013 ended and I prepared for my senior year of college, it was bittersweet to leave my girlfriend, who I eventually married, to spend the fall semester studying in Washington, D.C. and interning in the United States House of Representatives. As you can imagine, the political landscape in Washington was quite an adjustment for a 21-year-old who had spent most summers working on his grandfather’s walnut orchard in central California. Nevertheless, I was soon enthralled by the rich history and fast pace of Washington. I visited the various museums, was inspired by the Declaration of Independence, and felt a sense of awe to be walking through the same halls as some of the most important figures in American history.
Now mind you, being a legislative “intern” isn’t as glamorous as it sounds. The majority of my duties focused on answering phones, sorting mail and emails, and ensuring that my legislator’s office was adequately stocked with supplies. However, one aspect of my job, which to this day, remains the highlight of my time in D.C., was providing tours of the Capitol building to visiting constituents.
During the tours, I explained the history of the building which included stories from some of the greatest moments in our country. I especially remember the Old Senate Chamber, which was the deliberating space for the U.S. Senate from 1819 to 1859 and later housed the Supreme Court from 1860 to 1935. It was the place where some of the greatest decisions—and compromises—in our nation’s history were made. But my favorite part of the tour was towards the end, when we stopped in front of the Flight 93 memorial plaque. I discussed the bravery and sacrifice of the passengers and crew who fought back terrorists that day, knowing that their lives were almost certainly over and that they would most likely never see their families again. Yet, because of their heroic efforts, countless lives were saved.
After finishing my semester in D.C. and returning to San Diego, I finished college and entered the Regional Law Enforcement Academy in the Fall of 2014. I started my Deputy Sheriff career working at the San Diego Central Jail before ultimately transferring to a patrol assignment in San Marcos. Like all deputies, I’ve experienced the thrills and challenges which make this one of the most difficult but rewarding careers. However, my interest in politics is one habit I am unable to quit. So, when asked to join the DSA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) almost two years ago, of course I agreed.
I was surprised to learn that most of my partners had never heard of this PAC. Furthermore, they were equally uninformed of the DSA’s political influence. This concerned me, ultimately prompting me to pen this article.
The PAC is a group of DSA members charged with ensuring that the general membership “has a seat at the table” regarding political processes. We interview candidates who are running for various offices, ranging from seats on the County Board of Supervisors to congressional representatives, with the goal of improving the general well-being of deputies in San Diego County. We provide recommendations to the DSA board, which ultimately has the final word on whether a candidate is endorsed.
Now I know what many of you might think: does any of this make a difference, or is it all a waste of valuable time and money? Although my opinion is just that (mine), I strongly and unequivocally believe it is important for deputies to participate and contribute to this process. We’ve all been told to wait for the proverbial “pendulum” to swing, at which point the current anti-police cultural sentiment will be reversed. But like many others, I’ve grown tired of hearing that systemic racism runs rampant through the ranks of the good law enforcement men and women selflessly serving their communities. Unfortunately, some politicians have encouraged this rhetoric, and contributed to a culture where people can no longer “agree to disagree” but instead must “agree or be cancelled”. In fact, people on both sides of the political spectrum have seen careers ended over ten-year-old tweets or views that contradict a mainstream narrative.
In times of such turbulence and uncertainty, it can be tempting to avoid conflict by staying “under the radar”, but I’m convinced that is the wrong answer. Instead, we must return to a time where ideas are discussed and speech is not muzzled. For example, in a January 5, 2021 article by City News Service, County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher is quoted as saying, “But times change, and now [that] the voters have elected a new group of more progressive supervisors we will govern more consistent with our values”. Whether or not I agree with Supervisor Fletcher’s views on policy, his transparency makes it clear that now, more than ever, our political leaders need to hear competing ideas. In this difficult time, it is more important than ever for Deputies to engage in politics so that our interests are represented.
As deputies, we engage with our communities every day, developing a variety of relationships with those we serve. I can personally say that I have more positive interactions with the public than negative. However, anyone who tunes into the nightly news would think that law enforcement officers are constantly in strife with the public. We must challenge this narrative and engage in constructive dialogue whenever we can.
It is also important to remember that, because of the unique design of county Sheriff’s Departments, county citizens elect their highest law enforcement official. In fact, the office of Sheriff in San Diego County will again be on the ballot in 2022. It is not my intention here to advocate on behalf of any specific candidates or to denigrate any of our current officials. However, how we are viewed by the public will play a critical role in this election, and we must be proactive in helping to shape those views. Furthermore, I believe these concepts transcend the election of any single official as they are at the core of deliberative democracy.
Open and fair competition is the bedrock of the free-market system, and the same rings true in politics. Debate and deliberation strengthen government, while cancellation breeds tribalism and division.
Throughout my relatively short time with the Sheriff’s Department, I’ve had the pleasure of working with amazing men and women who put others first and serve their communities with professionalism. Their opinions, beliefs, and values matter and deserve to be heard. My hope is that we reflect on these values as the election nears, and that as deputies, we embrace the opportunity to engage in this process. It might not always be easy, and our preferred outcomes are not guaranteed. However, we will have no voice at all if we sit on the sidelines.