Matrix Consulting Group to audit Sheriff's Office

We just learned the Matrix Consulting Group is auditing the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.

Here's a couple examples of their work with other Departments.

Sheriff's Office overstaffed by at least 15 positions, consultant's study says

DANE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

and a PDF of an audit of the Jacksonville, Florida Sheriff's Office

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA SHERIFF'S OFFICE

I'm curious to see the results.

Brady and your rights.

I'm not going to publish our attorney's letter to our members, but I will comment here. It regards a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sheriff's Office and the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. 

In very short, under Brady (a 1963 law) your discipline can possibly end up being used in a criminal case even if you are just a witness.

There was a meeting between the Sheriff's Office, our attorney and a MNPEA Steward discussing Brady. 

The following in red, was my comment on our HCSO911 blog.

Some major points I hope are considered.

1. The contract allows for Letters of Reprimand to be REMOVED after 1 year. The County and Sheriff's Office have repeatedly signed this. An MOU between the Sheriff and County does not negate this.

2. Most of our Letters of Reprimand contain a LIE. They almost always add, Violation of Oath. We are not Sworn, there is no oath. This has to stop.

3. Garrity: In order for the employer to get a statement from members in an investigation, Internal Affairs or otherwise, we sign a Garrity form. This requires us to waive our 5th Amendment rights and cooperate and be truthful. In return our statement cannot be used in a criminal case against us. If Garrity is affected we can and should invoke the 5th Amendment. Remember, Garrity came after Brady.

I'd like to point out, we can't be labled as "Brady Cops" because we are not cops.

Read up on these links and be familiar with your rights.

Garrity Rights, your legal protection in compelled testimony.

241.026 CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES, your right to your legal consul when being interviewed by the employer. 

Weingarten Rights. Your right to have a Union Steward when you are being questioned by a supervisor and YOU think it may result in discipline.

MOST IMPORTANT. NEVER GO TO INTERNAL AFFAIRS OR GIVE A STATEMENT TO A DETECTIVE WITHOUT YOUR MNPEA ATTORNEY. 

Colorado Supreme Court settles off duty pot smoking issue

Ever since several states have legalized marijuana many have wondered how off duty smoking would be treated. I think we have the answer.

The Daily Beast is reporting: 

Colorado’s supreme court affirmed the right of employers to fire workers for smoking pot off-duty, even if they consume marijuana for medical reasons. In a unanimous ruling, the justices upheld a lower court’s ruling that Dish Network was allowed to fire Brandon Coats, a quadriplegic man who was prescribed medical marijuana for muscle spasms, for failing a random drug test. Colorado allows businesses to set their own guidelines about off-duty use of marijuana, and the court found that only activities legal under federal and state law are allowed under the Lawful Off-Duty Activities Statute. “Therefore, employees who engage in an activity such as medical marijuana use that is permitted by state law but unlawful under federal law are not protected by the statute,” wrote Justice Allison H. Eid.