Follow up to Stillwater C.O. Death.

The Star Tribune is reporting today that the Stillwater Correctional Officer who died was 41 year old Steven J. Jensen, an employee since 1989. It's being investigated as a suicide.

Interestingly, they also are reporting that an inmate filed a complaint against Jensen in October, but it was not substantiated and the file was closed Dec. 5. She said there have been no layoffs at the prison, but she didn't know if Jensen had any other work-related issues that could have been a factor.

Anyone in our line of work can testify to the stress caused by being investigated by the employer when an inmate makes a false claim. Unfortunately this may be the result of just such an investigation. While an allegation must be investigated, I believe the employer has a responsibility to treat the employee fairly, not to drag out the investigation, or let the rumors run wild destroying the CO's reputation before an investigation is complete. I don't know that Stillwater handles it's investigations as our Sheriff's Office does, but most of you know exactly what I'm talking about. While an allegation may eventually be deemed not substantiated the Correctional Officer's reputation may never recover. There has to be a better way then treating the employee like a criminal during an investigation then saying, "OK we couldn't find anything wrong so go back to work."

Stillwater Correctional Officer Dies At Work

Today I was at the YMCA I work out at. Frequently I run into a sergeant from Lino Lakes MCF there. Today he said, "Did you hear the news today?"

"No," I replied.

"A C.O. at Stillwater died today."

"How"? I asked.

"He was supposed to work the tower today. When he got his gun he walked behind a pillar and blew his head off."

"Why?"

"I don't know." He said, "I heard he had problems with depression and was having some problems at work. Hell of a line of work we've chosen. If you don't get killed at work you end up killing yourself."

I haven't seen this on the news yet. I don't know if it will make the news. I'll bet there will be no covered shields and bagpipes for him. Ours is the branch of law enforcement no one sees. Everyone sees the cop drag the criminal off of the street. Then as far as the public is concerned it's over. There's an article entitled The Forgotten Cop that sums up our work and there's also a Corrections Officer's Memorial for those who die in our line of work. Take the time to read these and be careful. This line of work can be stressful avoiding danger at work and psychologically.

Sheriff's Chair Missing!

Felicia Chesmer put out the following request:

During the move of the Administration from Room 6 in City Hall to Room 815 of the Grain Exchange, Sheriff Stanek's personal chair was misplaced.
The chair we are looking for is a leather high-back black chair. If anyone has seen a chair like this, please give me a call (Felicia Chesmer ).

Come on guys, if ya know where it is give it up!

Teamsters Local 320 2006 Legislation & IBT 2007 Goals

Click here to see the things our Teamsters local 320 accomplished in 2006 legislatively.

Then click here to see Teamsters national political goals for 2007!

Uniform Changes

The new sheriff's administration has formed a uniform committee with the idea of changing our current brown leather to black. All bargaining units affected by this proposed change were asked for a representative. Union Steward Michael Turner is representing us on this committee. Our goal as stewards is to make sure the contract the members ratified is protected. Our contract reads:

"ARTICLE 32 - CLOTHING ALLOWANCE
Section 1.
Newly hired employees in the Detention Deputy class shall during the first year of employment, be provided basic uniform clothing items of the quantity, type and style prescribed by the EMPLOYER. Each Detention Deputy, after having completed one (1) full year of service, shall be eligible for a uniform clothing allowance in an amount not to exceed $485 in 2006 and $495 in 2007. The uniform shall be worn only when performing official duties as directed by the EMPLOYER or upon such special occasions as the EMPLOYER may authorize. Employees shall wear and maintain the uniform as specified by the EMPLOYER. Upon termination of employment, all uniform clothing equivalent in quantity or value to the original issued shall be returned to the EMPLOYER. Upon termination of employment, all I.D. cards, insignia and any other County property issued to, or in the possession of the employee, shall be returned to the EMPLOYER.
Section 2.
If the basic clothing provided by the EMPLOYER is changed in type, color or style by order of the EMPLOYER, the EMPLOYER will bear any replacement cost in excess of $65.00 per calendar year, the employee to be responsible for the first $65.00 of replacement cost.
Section 3.
Any uniform items found by supervisory inspection to be worn out or damaged shall be turned in to the EMPLOYER"

(Highlights in red provided by me for emphasis)

The first meeting of the uniform committee was today and I'm proud of the way Steward Turner represented us.

Important: Vote in the PERA elections!

Yeah I know it's a boring piece of seemingly junk mail that comes to your home, but take the time to VOTE, our retirement depends on it.

Teamsters 320 worked hard to get Detention Deputies the 55 retirement and these are the people they recommend we vote for on the PERA board of trustees:

Louise (Lou) Olson for Retiree Representative
Larry Bodnar for At-large Representative
Gary Lavelle for At-large Representative