Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Kinks to Work out in Sheriff Elimination
Allegheny County voters will once again be asked to decide the fate of an elective row office this May. If the ballot question is approved, the Sheriff will become an appointed position and its duties will be folded into the County Police Department. Clearly, the legal issues surrounding the Sheriff’s office have helped moved the proposed elimination along, as did the fact that “sheriff's deputies decided to support the measure after learning that they would make $4,000 more a year once merged with the county police and that instead of having to wait until 55 to retire, they could retire at age 50”. Cost efficiency for Allegheny County was once again at the top of the list!
It is probably a good thing that the changes, if approved, don’t go into effect until 2010 because the County Executive is going to need the time to figure out how to squeeze some savings out of this merger. The ordinance notes that once the elected office is abolished and the Executive appoints a new Sheriff, whose office will then be merged into the County Police Department, there might be one person serving as both Sheriff and Police superintendent, or there may not be. Also, the ordinance guarantees that the seniority, sick time, and vacation benefits of Sheriff’s deputies and County police officers will be retained. After the merger, the collective bargaining practices of the County police will cover all employees, but the training of new hires will include that training subject to state laws governing Sheriff’s deputies.
This looks like voter approval might lead to a significant institutional clash over turf and responsibility. Let’s hope the goals of efficiency and economical service don’t get lost.
It is probably a good thing that the changes, if approved, don’t go into effect until 2010 because the County Executive is going to need the time to figure out how to squeeze some savings out of this merger. The ordinance notes that once the elected office is abolished and the Executive appoints a new Sheriff, whose office will then be merged into the County Police Department, there might be one person serving as both Sheriff and Police superintendent, or there may not be. Also, the ordinance guarantees that the seniority, sick time, and vacation benefits of Sheriff’s deputies and County police officers will be retained. After the merger, the collective bargaining practices of the County police will cover all employees, but the training of new hires will include that training subject to state laws governing Sheriff’s deputies.
This looks like voter approval might lead to a significant institutional clash over turf and responsibility. Let’s hope the goals of efficiency and economical service don’t get lost.
