Don't Talk to Detectives about PREA without an attorney

It happened again today. One of our new Detention Deputies was told to report to a Sergeant’s office and give a statement to a Detective regarding a PREA complaint. 

Is that the place for a formal statement?

A PREA investigation IS criminal. It is voluntary. If you decide to talk, call our attorney! You CANNOT be ordered to talk. This is 5th Amendment stuff.

MSS 241.026 states 

Subd. 3.Governing formal statement procedures.

The formal statement of an officer must be taken according to subdivision 4.

Subd. 4.Place of formal statement.

 

The formal statement must be taken at a facility of the employing or investigating agency or at a place agreed to by the investigating individual and the investigated officer.

Subd. 5.Admissions.

 

Before an officer's formal statement is taken, the officer shall be advised in writing or on the record that admissions made in the course of the formal statement may be used as evidence of misconduct or as a basis for discipline.

REALITY is 99.9% of these investigations are unfounded. However, even if you are “just a witness” an investigation can take a turn on a dime. Could a “witness” be accused of not reporting? Covering up? Being complicit?

NEVER EVER TALK TO A DETECTIVE OR PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION (I.A.) WITHOUT OUR ATTORNEY.

Just a few weeks ago a Lieutenant was conducting I.A. investigations via email!

 I notified our attorney to call the jail Major This has to stop.

You must participate in an Internal Affairs investigation, but are entitled to have our attorney present.

You do NOT have to cooperate with ANY PREA interviews as they are voluntary. That’s right, they are criminal and you have the right not to talk. If you choose to talk, bring our lawyer.

MNPEA Legal Hotline: 651/287-8883

M.S.S. 241.026 

Subd. 9.Retaliatory action prohibited. 

No officer may be discharged, disciplined, or threatened with discharge or discipline as retaliation for or solely by reason of the officer's exercise of the rights provided by this section.

Subd. 10.Rights not reduced.

The rights of officers provided by this section are in addition to and do not diminish the rights and privileges of officers that are provided under an applicable collective bargaining agreement or any other applicable law.

Furthermore Article 34 in our contract says you are entitled to your Union representation as do your Federal Weingarten Rights.

Why Correctional Turnover is so High

This is from CorrectionsOne:

I wish the Sheriff and every County Board member would read this:

...The public is aware of the fact that criminals are incarcerated after conviction and are also aware of the fact that correctional institutions require funding, often having a detrimental impact on taxes. The public seems to realize that corrections is necessary, but the persona of corrections in the public atmosphere is one of loathing.

Corrections is not viewed in a positive light, nor do taxpayers seem to appreciate the corrections facet of the criminal justice system. Generally speaking, no matter what level of government corrections may fall under, it will undoubtedly be the first to have hiring freezes, budget cuts, and underfunding. Corrections is known, but the ideals behind corrections and all of the funding that is required to successfully operate safe and stable facilities are unknown...

The starting salary for corrections professionals is typically lower than their patrol counterparts, the training received by corrections professionals is collectively less than other agencies receive, and the work corrections professionals do tends to be overlooked by society. All avenues lead to the conclusion that corrections is simply not as good as patrol. ..

Corrections requires adequate funding and training in order to combat the high influx of offenders, the complexity of gangs, and the revolutionary ways that offenders have learned to “beat the system.” Staff allegiance, retention, and respect would most likely be the result of corrections being recognized as an equal to that of the patrol counterparts. As a collective system, patrol and corrections need to be equal so that law and order can prevail and offenders can be more tactfully monitored, disciplined, and rehabilitated.

FULL STORY

Kitten for Sheriff's Response to the Hennepin County Sheriff Challange

As promised the candidates responses will be added un-edited. Thank you Kitten for Sheriff. I await the reply from the other candidates.

I sat Kitten down and got some answers for your detention blog:

---

1. Why do you want to be Hennepin County Sheriff?

Humans have ruled over Hennepin County for far too long. It’s time to let the kittens take over and make this county the best place to live, work and play in. Kitten is tired of seeing the criminals in power get away with massive crimes against people and the planet. Kitten will start arresting the real criminals such as war criminals, bailout criminals, CEOs, politicians, and others who continue to cause harm without any consequences.

2. What are your qualifications?

This is Kitten’s second attempt to run for Sheriff of Hennepin County. In 2010, Kitten was the only candidate who ran against the current incumbent as a write-in and had supporters from all walks of life. Kitten is sometimes called the “cutest candidate ever”. Along with Kitten’s youthful appearance, Kitten is full of fresh ideas such as Operation Litter Sweep – where Kitten asked those in power to turn themselves in.  

As with all licensed felines in the City of Minneapolis, Kitten has received all the necessary shots. In fact, Kitten is the only candidate for this office who will tell you upfront that they got the rabies shots!  Wouldn’t you prefer having a Sheriff who you can trust not to suddenly turn rabid?

3. Jail staffing currently has decreased professional Detention Officer ranks and greatly increased more expensive Licensed Deputy staff in the jail, one thousand dollars a month more per Licensed Deputy. Would you continue that trend?

Kitten doesn’t like wasted taxpayer money – or spilled milk!   If Kitten is elected, licensed deputies will be placed back into the streets to chase away DHS drones as DC may be a bit mad at us when we arrest a good chuck of their leaders. 

Thus, Kitten will make sure staffing at jails should be limited to those who are trained to do that job in a cost-effective manner.  If more support is required, a new crew of feline deputies may be trained and added to patrol and keep levels of vermin down.

4. The jail schedule was changed from a 6/3 schedule in 2009 (after 32 years), to a 28/8 schedule which has led to low morale. It can take up to 5 years to get a weekend off. If elected are you open to a different schedule? A return to 6/3?

Yes, Kitten will create a brand new schedule. Why are jails open on the weekends in the first place? Kitten will give everyone the weekend off and close the jails. We’ll just leave some self-serving kibble and water dishes for any war criminals who continued to misbehave and don’t earn their weekend pass.

5. The Hennepin County Jail is the largest jail in Minnesota and the only ACA accredited jail in Minnesota, yet the Detention Deputies are the lowest paid in the seven county metro area. What would you do to correct that?

This situation will need to change immediately if Kitten is elected and the jails are filled with actual criminals.  Unfortunately, criminals in power are notorious for bribes and may try to bribe deputies for favors. Thus, we’ll have to make sure that the benefits and pay are the best in the country for anyone who has to watch over criminals in power.  

6. The Hennepin County Dispatchers are understaffed and underpaid. The result is massive turnover at time when the new $33 million Dispatch Center is set to open. What will you do to turn that around?

That’s easy. Buy up nearby farming land and self-fund the Dispatch Center with the sale of “catnip”. People will want to move here and work in our county then.

7. Would your administration continue gathering of citizens’ cell phone metadata using the Kingfish tracker without warrants?

No, way!!! Kitten has been on the record since 2010 as being against these creepy Kingfish surveillance devices. Cats are natural enemies of Kingfishs.  If elected, Kitten will round up all the kingfishs (and stringrays!) and hold a massive “fish fry” party!  All residents of Hennepin County will be invited to watch the devices “fry” while enjoying a selection of hot foods and cool beverages.

8. The current Sheriff spends considerable time in Washington D.C. away from Hennepin County, 4 to 6 times a month. Would your administration continue that practice?

If elected as your new sheriff, Kitten will only need to visit D.C. twice during the whole term.  The first visit will be to serve warrants to all the criminals in power and the second time to arrest any politicians who don’t turn themselves in.  Kitten may need to visit a few other locations across the country if criminals or politicians are hiding there such as Wall Street but out-of-state visits will be limited to official duties only.

9. What is your position on conceal and carry?

Oh humans, why did you lose in the game of evolution?  Kittens already have their own “carry and conceal” claws and are a bit confused by human weaponry. Regardless, humans can come into the Sheriff’s office and ask for a permit if they wish.  Kitten will need to limit the permits for drone hunting to 2 drones per person per year!

Contract Negotiation update

Today we met again with Hennepin County for "negotiations."
The Sheriff's Office sent no one.
We explained to the County why their offer was voted down.
They left the room.
The mediator tried to nail down the main dispute. We replied money and the parameters for the 28 day schedule not being in writing.

The County pulled their offer and we began trying to nail down items for arbitration.

The mediator was still wanting to work out a settlement if possible.

We gave it one last shot (or so I thought). We told the mediator that if they offered the market adjustment (1% in 2014 and 1% in 2015) across the steps for all job classes in addition to the 2.5% Cost of Living the members would probably vote it in.

The county rejected the offer. They do not want to give a market adjustment to those of you not at top pay, unless you are a dispatcher.

Much discussion took place among the stewards. The majority of stewards felt the members didn't understand the "risk" of going to arbitration and felt the County's last  offer should be re-voted.

I was among those who thought that we should  just go to arbitration, as the membership already voted the offer down and get it done, but democracy prevails.

You will again receive a ballot for the last offer that you voted down.

My opinion has not changed since February.

No sense retyping identical words. Read my post from last time, my position is the same:

Mediation "Employers Best and Final Proposal"

And I will add the disclaimer this is not an official MNPEA blog or representative of the other stewards. It is just my opinion and clearly a minority one, at least among the stewards.

Hennepin County Board-Lucrative (Star Tribune)

As the fucks keep our wages the lowest in the metro-area, look what the Star Tribune is saying about them in their article:

Minnesota legislators swap Capitol careers for lucrative county paychecks

Rank-and-file Minnesota legislators earn $31,141 a year, plus an expense per diem, for a job that’s officially considered part time. But for up to half the year, the legislative calendar demands long hours, late nights, weekend meetings and frequent round trips between St. Paul and home. Political tensions can run high, media scrutiny can be intense and the fundraising for the next election endless.

Meanwhile, commissioners in 15 of Minnesota’s 87 counties earn more than their legislative counterparts — a few up to double and in Hennepin County near triple. With the higher pay comes regularly scheduled meetings, smaller budgets, more clear-cut issues and less partisan rhetoric....

Hennepin County has the highest-paid commissioners in the state, with a base salary of about $100,000. Tellingly, four of its seven commissioners are former legislators; political insiders jokingly refer to the Hennepin County Board as the Legislature’s retirement plan.

Linda Higgins

“That part of it is very agreeable to me,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Linda Higgins, a former DFL senator from Minneapolis. Higgins said her Senate pay was so low she had to take a part-time job to make ends meet.

and let's not forget Julianne Ortman...who both "serves" in the legislature and works for Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek.

Hennepin County Sheriff Challenge

There are 3 candidates for the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.

Eddie Frizell                           Rich Stanek

Kitten for Sheriff

The following questionnaire was sent to all three campaigns. The responses will be published unedited on this blog.

Hennepin Sheriff Challenge

This questionnaire is being sent to all of the candidates running for Hennepin County Sheriff in 2014.

Answers will be posted on the Detention Home blog http://detentionhome.blogspot.com.

Answers can be written or in video format and will be posted unedited.

1.       Why do you want to be Hennepin County Sheriff?

2.       What are your qualifications?

3.       Jail staffing currently has decreased professional Detention Officer ranks and greatly increased more expensive Licensed Deputy staff in the jail, one thousand dollars a month more per Licensed Deputy. Would you continue that trend?

4.       The jail schedule was changed from a 6/3 schedule in 2009 (after 32 years), to a 28/8 schedule which has led to low morale. It can take up to 5 years to get a weekend off. If elected are you open to a different schedule? A return to 6/3?

5.       The Hennepin County Jail is the largest jail in Minnesota and the only ACA accredited jail in Minnesota, yet the Detention Deputies are the lowest paid in the seven county metro area. What would you do to correct that?

6.       The Hennepin County Dispatchers are understaffed and underpaid. The result is massive turnover at time when the new $33 million Dispatch Center is set to open. What will you do to turn that around?

7.       Would your administration continue gathering of citizens’ cell phone metadata using the Kingfish tracker without warrants?

8.       The current Sheriff spends considerable time in Washington D.C. away from Hennepin County, 4 to 6 times a month. Would your administration continue that practice?

9.       What is your position on conceal and carry?

As stated above answers will be posted unedited.

Finally a challenger for Sheriff?

Eddie Frizell, Deputy Chief MPD and Lieutenant Colonel with the Red Bulls has filed to run for Hennepin County Sheriff. 

We need to talk to him.

Imagine a return to the 6/3 schedule?

We've had years of a bad schedule and poor morale.

Remember the Vote of No Confidence?  Maybe it will count for something now.

While it is early, the word from the rank and file MPD cops I've talked to is that Frizell is a good guy.