Is Sheriff Hutchinson being treated the same?

Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson plead guilty to a dwi crash. He had a blood alcohol level of .13, there was also evidence of THC use, crashed a $75,000 County owned vehicle and was carrying his firearm. Being Sheriff he was returning from a Sheriff's Conference and was considered on duty.

In an interview given to Fox 9 he says he "received no special treatment" and  is "being treated like everyone else." Is he? 

Yes he was given 2 years probation and fined $610. He says he will make sure Hennepin County tax payers don't have to pay for damages, but what about everything else?

As a Union steward at the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office for over 20 years what about discipline? Sheriff's Office employees are almost always given a suspension without pay. One supervisor driving a Sheriff's Office vehicle under the influence was given almost one month off without pay and demoted. Is Hutch giving up any pay? I represented a few members who had gotten DWI's and there was almost always time off. This is setting a new precedent. No discipline beyond Court ordered. As to the THC, that's grounds for firing and losing the ability to purchase or carry a firearm! I realize an elected official can't be fired, but again this is precedent setting. 

Photo Alpha News

It's illegal to carry a firearm under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. MSS 624.7142 states that is also a crime, a misdemeanor and you can have your ability to carry a firearm suspended. That happened to around 37 citizens last year. Hutch?

Employees of Cities and County's are generally banned from driving Government owned vehicles after a DWI even in a personal vehicle. Is the Sheriff still going to be driving a Hennepin County owned car?

Other Peace Officers have had their POST License suspended after DWI's. Will Hutch? If so how can he remain Sheriff if his License is suspended? It's a requirement of the Office.

The average citizen also has their drivers license suspended and their entire household gets 'whisky plates' put on their cars. Will his license be suspended? Will he and his Husband get whisky plates on their cars?

If I was a still a Union Steward at the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office I'd be asking for all past and future suspensions of members be returned for DWI's for the duration of the Hutch Administration. What's that popular term now? Oh yeah, Equity.

HCSO Sheriff Hutchinson involved in possible DWI.

 KSTP is reporting that Hennepin County Sheriff Hutchinson was involved in a single vehicle roll over crash around 2:30 AM this morning. The Sheriff is injured and in the hospital. State Patrol said impaired driving is suspected and took a urine sample. The case will be reviewed by the Douglas County prosecutor.

The position of this blog has always been due process. So first off I wish Sheriff Hutch a speedy recovery. 

However, if he was driving impaired there is great concern.

He was at the Minnesota Sheriff's Association's winter conference. That means he was on duty AND driving a County vehicle. If true this is a can of worms. He has disciplined employees for DWI's and they have at times been given suspensions without pay. His Sheriff's Office issues DWI complaints against the public with severe consequences. Imagine the cost to Hennepin County tax payers if he injured or killed someone?

He admittedly is held to a higher standard, and should be held to higher consequences if found to be true. 

Here's the last few hours of the Schedule for the MSA winter conference. 

It's quite possible he enjoyed "The Brassholes" then the cash bar before driving.

To err is human. If you're the Sheriff who's job is Public Safety, Law Enforcement and disciplining employees, and you drink and drive, the trust is broken.

It's possible he was just tired and it was an accident. If proven otherwise public trust, the integrity of the Office of Sheriff, and the respect of the rank and file would demand he step down.

Detention Deputies be careful! PSF attacked!

After working as a Detention Deputy for over 25 years at the Hennepin County Jail, I know it can be a dangerous job.

But in the current political climate it's added a new element. Before there was always the possibility of a jail assault or of running into a former inmate who had a beef with you outside and in public. Now it's grown political.

In NY John Jeff an off duty Corrections Officer who worked at Rikers Island was shot and killed. 

Last night rioters angry over a Kenosha Wisconsin shooting, attacked the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility (PSF). They broke windows, tried to breach the lobby, were gassed and subsequently 11 were arrested.

In a Star Tribune article reporting the event Sheriff Hutch says:

"“We fully support peaceful protests, but we cannot — and will not — allow demonstrators to destroy property or jeopardize the safety and security of our inmates, our deputies and our jail,” Sheriff Dave Hutchinson said in a statement."

My advice to my former co-workers and current Detention Deputies is twofold. 

1. Be extra aware of your surroundings.

2. Conceal Carry.

In the early 90's when MPD Officer Jerry Haaf was executed, the jail began receiving calls that 'a brownie is next.' We wore brown uniforms back in the day so we were referred to as brownies. This was also painted on the Security Garage of the jail and on a wall near a parking lot many of us used. (This was over a failed United for Peace negotiation with MPD. Side note, current MN Attorney General Keith Ellison supported the killers).

An inmate pulled me aside and said 'they' were planning to take out a brownie next. He proceeded to tell me where I parked, what streets I walked to work, and even told me the exact car I drove. He said, I don't want it to be you. He advised varying my route, don't walk alone, not to walk past the welfare building (stood where current PSF is) because "The brothers waiting outside are watching deputies, they ain't there for welfare." *Actually a lot more to this story. 

I took his advice and also got a permit to carry.

I always prided myself on treating inmates fairly and that went a long way both inside the jail and out. Those days may be gone.

The new dangerous element is political. As Detention Deputies you represent Government and Law enforcement so to many, regardless of your professionalism you are a target.

Be careful!

Hennepin County Detention Deputies to get body cameras

Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson has announced that,

"Hennepin County sheriff's deputies soon will be outfitted with body cameras.."

Patrol, warrants and water patrol will be the first to get them then,

"The rest of the officers will get cameras in the second phase next year, including detention deputies and court security personnel. By the end of 2020, Hutchinson wants to have an additional 302 deputies wearing them." Source: Star Tribune

Body cameras in jail are not without controversy.

Ramsey County Sheriff  Bob Fletcher said in an MPR Article,

"Even the physical layout of the jail has been deemed to be security information," said Fletcher. "Where the doors are, how the doors are opened and accessed, where the inmates are allowed and not allowed — all those pieces of the puzzle become problematic with regards to security."

Jails are not public spaces. The Ramsey County sheriff said videos may also capture other inmates who don't wish to be identified. And he said he doesn't want to see video used to embarrass or shame people who are in custody."

In the same article the ACLU weighs in, "the Minnesota chapter of the ACLU, said jail staff should be required to notify inmates when they activate their cameras."

Currently Washington and Dakota County use body cams in their jails.

I started back in the days when there were no cameras in jail. In the long run it reduced sustainable complaints against staff because the inmates complaints didn't usually match the footage.

I suspect body cams will be the same, but it should make for some interesting litigation when lawyers are seeking footage and others are identifiable in it. Especially when Detention Deputy language is picked up. I remember as a Union Steward. representing members who got caught dropping an F bomb in conversational language picked up on footage obtained by a lawyer. 

Considering much of the jail is already under surveillance this seems redundant and opening a can of worms.

This will be interesting. It will probably require more staff just to go over all of the footage.

I hope their Union adds some good language in their contract.

Hennepin County Detention Deputies on YouTube

Looks like Sheriff Hutch is promoting the Detention Deputy position in Hennepin County. Very refreshing to see. Also I see the new Sheriff allows people with tattoos! Very glad to see the old policy go away!

The Incoming HCSO Sheriff Hutch Administration

Incoming HCSO Sheriff Hutch has announced his administrative team. He has picked some very good people for the Chief Deputy and Major positions.

Tracey Martin-Chief Deputy

Bob Staupe- Commander Enforcement Services Bureau

Jeffrey Storms (current Chief Deputy) - Commander Administrative Services Bureau

Patrick King- Commander of the Investigations Bureau

Source - Star Tribune

I think he's made some solid choices. People with experience in the HCSO most of whom worked their way up from the bottom.

Best of luck to all.

Hutch campaign manager attends MNPEA meeting

Sheriff Hutch's campaign manager attended the last MNPEA union meeting. Here is a synopsis from some members who were there.

WADE!!! In a nutshell, this is what D. B. told me. Hutch's campaign guy is Austin Sable out of Radio. According to him, Hutch wants to return to a more traditional Sheriffs Office with a predominately Civilian staff while focusing on Jail, Radio and Records/Courts. Stanek over-extended Radio's service perimeter while not providing the staff and resources needed to handle it. There are 15 stations manned while a 16TH goes unmanned. Although Waterways is still a mandate, he sees no real issues there. and I would agree. Seems that most, if not everybody out there is content. He wants to see that budgeted moneys go to where they are appropriated to go. The last two idiots were notorious at asking for money to fund 'this' and end up spending it to fund 'that.' We both have seen plenty of BS. He also wants to address both retention and incentives for both new hires and existing staff. I am hoping he takes a more reasonable and sensible approach to hiring. This 'mass hiring' approach that Stanek had a love affair with is neither practical or economically sound. There is a balance between paying your existing staff OT (far cheaper) and hiring new staff (more costly). A approach that would benefit everybody. Finally, he is open to Labor Groups. He both appreciates and recognizes Labor Groups. I realize this is all lip service so far, but it sounds promising. If I were speaking directly to him, I would put it this way.."Dude, you are in a very good position. Stanek had taken just about everything away from us. If you could restore even some of it, you could be viewed very favorably. Do you want a good movie or a bad movie??? It is totally up to you!" 

I forget to mention, he is all about Mental Health and not servicing ICE. I am not sure what he is after with the Mental Health thing. I do hope we don't continue to warehouse inmates for these M/H institutions. Once committed, send them!!! We should not be sitting on them. As far as ICE is concerned, not sure what he means by that either. He could mean we are not going to warehouse inmates for ICE while they drag their feet on what they are going to do. I would agree with that. 

I REACHED OUT TO SHERIFF HUTCH TO WRITE AN UNEDITED MESSAGE IN THIS BLOG TO DETENTION DEPUTIES.

Dave "Hutch" wins as Hennepin County Sheriff

Congratulations Dave Hutchinson on your victory in Hennepin County as Sheriff.

As a retiree with over 25 years in that Department I wish you luck. There is a lot of rebuilding to do after 12 years of Richard Stanek.

My advice, surround yourself with good people!



https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2018/11/07/by-the-numbers-dave-hutchinson-tops-stanek-in-race-for-hennepin-co-sheriff/?fbclid=IwAR3ow1Tr-geMrX5TrTw1IGSjO5QZG4FFic7GpO-88xT1gMphHMAEMCBgnXM