In an email response from Inspector Cooper on December 10th, 2007 he wrote:
"Sheriff's Administration, however, decided that those Detention Deputies who have been issued brown leather could stay in their brown leather."
Today after an unrelated meeting I asked why his memo ordering the switch to black leather by February 28th was still posted. He said that's because the licensed deputies will still be required to change by then, but that he will be sending out an email to everyone shortly.
He also told me the return of uniform inspections will be coming very soon.
THIS IS AN OFFICIAL NEWS SITE FOR CURRENT AND RETIRED CORRECTIONS OFFICERS! This blog will keep up on current events affecting Detention Deputies and Corrections Officers. SINCE 2006!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Excerpts from the Strib
A jury failed to reach a verdict Wednesday in the case of a Hennepin County jail deputy accused of criminal sexual conduct with a former inmate...
Defense lawyer Trevor Oliver said he hoped the prosecutor would reconsider pursuing another trial, but he didn't expect to agree to a plea bargain. He also didn't expect a second trial to be better for either side. "Both sides laid everything out as far as they could," Oliver said.
Source: Star Tribune click for full story
Defense lawyer Trevor Oliver said he hoped the prosecutor would reconsider pursuing another trial, but he didn't expect to agree to a plea bargain. He also didn't expect a second trial to be better for either side. "Both sides laid everything out as far as they could," Oliver said.
Source: Star Tribune click for full story
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Thinking Out Loud
Thinking over the Dave R ordeal makes several thoughts go through my mind.
Why was such a serious allegation handled by the HCSO rather then the BCA or another county as is usually the case?
The conflicts of interest are numerous:
-The employee was investigated by the employer's detectives.
-Evidence gathered by the employer's crime lab.
-The accused and accuser were both incarcerated by the employer.
-The employer used the same county attorney's office they have a regular working relationship with.
-The case tried in the same courts they have a regular working relationship with.
I could go on and on but in my mind there is no way in hell this could be impartial.
How did the HCSO handle this? After Dave was out for four months cooperating 100% with a very embarrassing investigation including seizing things from his apartment, his truck and taking his DNA they decide to arrest him, bring him in to be booked on his own shift and by his own squad. They could have just given him his charge papers and told him to appear in court the next day, but no, they wanted a dog and pony show. For the record none of his DNA matched anything or was found on anything and none of the things taken in their search warrant were used in the trial. Nothing.
Ask yourself: Would this have happened in any other law enforcement agency? Would this have happened to a cop?
Now this case appears headed for a retrial. Why? The prosecution couldn't even prove their case the first time. How much more tax payer money must be spent on a 4th degree CSC investigation? An accusation of mutual sexual contact made by a felon 8 or 9 months after the alleged incident with no witnesses or physical proof whatsoever! Just the word of a felon who told 4 different versions of the story. So far they've paid Dave for 14 months not to be at work, spent more taxpayer money on a losing trial and are willing to spend more to do it all again.
How would I like to have seen this done? Let's look across the river. When a Ramsey County jailer was caught red handed in a child solicitation sting Sheriff Fletcher had him booked at the Dakota County jail and the investigation was handled by others. He didn't want one of their own booked into the jail that employed him. Even Sheriff McGowan had the good sense to have the BCA handle Jenkins accusations.
I don't believe for one minute Dave did the things they have accused him of and I'm fucking mad at the way the entire matter was and is being handled. I think things would have been handled totally different if he were licensed and if they didn't think he was gay.
One last thing to keep in mind. Dave has not been found guilty of anything. Dave has the full backing of Teamsters Local 320, the full backing of Team Legal and my full backing until they can prove, prove in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt that he is guilty.
Why was such a serious allegation handled by the HCSO rather then the BCA or another county as is usually the case?
The conflicts of interest are numerous:
-The employee was investigated by the employer's detectives.
-Evidence gathered by the employer's crime lab.
-The accused and accuser were both incarcerated by the employer.
-The employer used the same county attorney's office they have a regular working relationship with.
-The case tried in the same courts they have a regular working relationship with.
I could go on and on but in my mind there is no way in hell this could be impartial.
How did the HCSO handle this? After Dave was out for four months cooperating 100% with a very embarrassing investigation including seizing things from his apartment, his truck and taking his DNA they decide to arrest him, bring him in to be booked on his own shift and by his own squad. They could have just given him his charge papers and told him to appear in court the next day, but no, they wanted a dog and pony show. For the record none of his DNA matched anything or was found on anything and none of the things taken in their search warrant were used in the trial. Nothing.
Ask yourself: Would this have happened in any other law enforcement agency? Would this have happened to a cop?
Now this case appears headed for a retrial. Why? The prosecution couldn't even prove their case the first time. How much more tax payer money must be spent on a 4th degree CSC investigation? An accusation of mutual sexual contact made by a felon 8 or 9 months after the alleged incident with no witnesses or physical proof whatsoever! Just the word of a felon who told 4 different versions of the story. So far they've paid Dave for 14 months not to be at work, spent more taxpayer money on a losing trial and are willing to spend more to do it all again.
How would I like to have seen this done? Let's look across the river. When a Ramsey County jailer was caught red handed in a child solicitation sting Sheriff Fletcher had him booked at the Dakota County jail and the investigation was handled by others. He didn't want one of their own booked into the jail that employed him. Even Sheriff McGowan had the good sense to have the BCA handle Jenkins accusations.
I don't believe for one minute Dave did the things they have accused him of and I'm fucking mad at the way the entire matter was and is being handled. I think things would have been handled totally different if he were licensed and if they didn't think he was gay.
One last thing to keep in mind. Dave has not been found guilty of anything. Dave has the full backing of Teamsters Local 320, the full backing of Team Legal and my full backing until they can prove, prove in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt that he is guilty.
Hung Jury
Dave's jury hung! The burden of proof in our system is that the prosecutor must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. They failed to convince even 12 people a crime had been committed. I'll keep you posted about future developments.
Media Pressure
As you know Dave. R's jury is still out. Anyone on our egroup knows his side of the story. Unfortunately anyone accused of a crime knows the first thing advised by your attorney is to be quiet. So right now his side can't be published here or in the newspapers. Unfortunately this doesn't prevent the press from smearing your name or the KQ morning show from making a mockery of you, or even the Star Tribune from kicking you one more time when the jury is out.
One thing to remember is this, under our system a person is innocent until proven guilty. The standard of conviction is beyond reasonable doubt. There are three possible outcomes at this point:
1. Conviction
2. Acquittal
3. Hung Jury
Only in a conviction will the prosecution have proven it's case. Acquittal or even a hung jury means the prosecution couldn't even convince 12 people that a crime was committed.
So far Team Legal has spent over $20,000 on his defense. This is a real benefit to being a dues paying union member.
Watch this blog for an update when the verdict is in.
One thing to remember is this, under our system a person is innocent until proven guilty. The standard of conviction is beyond reasonable doubt. There are three possible outcomes at this point:
1. Conviction
2. Acquittal
3. Hung Jury
Only in a conviction will the prosecution have proven it's case. Acquittal or even a hung jury means the prosecution couldn't even convince 12 people that a crime was committed.
So far Team Legal has spent over $20,000 on his defense. This is a real benefit to being a dues paying union member.
Watch this blog for an update when the verdict is in.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Steward Nominations
A nomination sheet will be posted for anyone interested in being a Teamsters Local 320 Union Steward. You must be a full dues paying member to be eligible- no fair share.
The sheet will be posted February 15th through the 29th at 1430. All interested members must put their own name on the sheet.
Ballots will be mailed to members on March 7th and counted on March 24th.
What does a steward do?
Stewards are on the front line every day, working directly with members to make sure contracts are enforced, workers' rights are not being violated, and the workplace is a safe place to be. You are the face of the union, and your role as communicator is critical to solidarity and membership participation. (Teamsters IBT)
The sheet will be posted February 15th through the 29th at 1430. All interested members must put their own name on the sheet.
Ballots will be mailed to members on March 7th and counted on March 24th.
What does a steward do?
Stewards are on the front line every day, working directly with members to make sure contracts are enforced, workers' rights are not being violated, and the workplace is a safe place to be. You are the face of the union, and your role as communicator is critical to solidarity and membership participation. (Teamsters IBT)
Friday, December 28, 2007
A Dangerous Job
The news is always filled with stories of police officers who are injured or killed. Yet statistically a corrections officer has a higher rate of assault and injury.
Here's an excerpt from a story in the Dallas News covering the increase in assaults on Texas CO's:
A snapshot of a typical month in Texas prisons – last March, for example – provides a look at the dangers inherent in the job:
•The Telford Unit in New Boston, Texas, went on lockdown in March after 62 inmates – some using broken brooms, socks filled with dominoes and commissary hair gel and dented trash cans as weapons – were found fighting in a dayroom at the facility. Corrections officers used blast dispersion and rubber ball grenades to quell the fight. Four inmates were injured.
•Two weeks later, at the Beto Unit in Tennessee Colony, Texas, 17 inmates fought near their cells, resulting in two guard injuries. Nearly six ounces of Top Cop, a type of pepper spray foam, was used.
•And in March at the Beto facility, a 19-year-old female guard was punched in the face by an inmate who had a nail hidden in his fist.
The guard suffered a gash on the left side of her face. The inmate – 49-year-old T.J. Jones, who is serving a five-year sentence for burglary – was transferred to another unit.
The all-male prison, which houses more than 3,300 inmates, has nearly 500 security guards, only a fraction of what the unit says it needs.
*Thanks to AFSCME's Dean Enge for bringing this article to my attention.
Here's an excerpt from a story in the Dallas News covering the increase in assaults on Texas CO's:
A snapshot of a typical month in Texas prisons – last March, for example – provides a look at the dangers inherent in the job:
•The Telford Unit in New Boston, Texas, went on lockdown in March after 62 inmates – some using broken brooms, socks filled with dominoes and commissary hair gel and dented trash cans as weapons – were found fighting in a dayroom at the facility. Corrections officers used blast dispersion and rubber ball grenades to quell the fight. Four inmates were injured.
•Two weeks later, at the Beto Unit in Tennessee Colony, Texas, 17 inmates fought near their cells, resulting in two guard injuries. Nearly six ounces of Top Cop, a type of pepper spray foam, was used.
•And in March at the Beto facility, a 19-year-old female guard was punched in the face by an inmate who had a nail hidden in his fist.
The guard suffered a gash on the left side of her face. The inmate – 49-year-old T.J. Jones, who is serving a five-year sentence for burglary – was transferred to another unit.
The all-male prison, which houses more than 3,300 inmates, has nearly 500 security guards, only a fraction of what the unit says it needs.
*Thanks to AFSCME's Dean Enge for bringing this article to my attention.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Tentative Agreement
A tentative agreement has been reached with Hennepin County for our 2008-2009 Agreement.
The negotiating committee strongly recommends the membership accepting this when the ballots come out. Here's the highlights:
-Shift differential to increase $.05 in 2008 & 2009.
-Weekend differential to increase $.05 in 2008 & 2009.
-FTO pay to increase from $1.00/hour to $2.00/hour.
-Vacations: You will be able to cash out up to 40 hours of vacation a year.
-Sick Leave: Add to definition of immediate family the following language, "a person residing in the employees immediate household."
SALARY RATES:
Detention Tech: 2.25% steps in range, 3.4% at max rate in 2008 & 2009.
Radio: 2.25% steps in range, 3.9% max 2008
2.25% steps in range, 3.4% max 2009
Detention Deputies: 2.25% steps in range, 4.4% max 2008
2.25% steps in range, 3.4% max 2008 **
**This would be the largest increase we've ever received and puts our top pay at about $27.24 in January 2009! It also places us back in our historical #2 place behind Ramsey County.
HEALTH INSURANCE RATES:
Employee Only Single: $15 a month - raising to $25 in December 2009
Employee Plus Spouse: $337.18/mo
Employee Plus Child(ren): $258.27
Family: $375.39/mo
HOLIDAYS: The letter of understanding dictating us being able to bank 24 hours of Deferred Holiday will now be added to the Agreement so we don't have to renegotiate this every time.
The negotiating committee strongly recommends the membership accepting this when the ballots come out.
The negotiating committee strongly recommends the membership accepting this when the ballots come out. Here's the highlights:
-Shift differential to increase $.05 in 2008 & 2009.
-Weekend differential to increase $.05 in 2008 & 2009.
-FTO pay to increase from $1.00/hour to $2.00/hour.
-Vacations: You will be able to cash out up to 40 hours of vacation a year.
-Sick Leave: Add to definition of immediate family the following language, "a person residing in the employees immediate household."
SALARY RATES:
Detention Tech: 2.25% steps in range, 3.4% at max rate in 2008 & 2009.
Radio: 2.25% steps in range, 3.9% max 2008
2.25% steps in range, 3.4% max 2009
Detention Deputies: 2.25% steps in range, 4.4% max 2008
2.25% steps in range, 3.4% max 2008 **
**This would be the largest increase we've ever received and puts our top pay at about $27.24 in January 2009! It also places us back in our historical #2 place behind Ramsey County.
HEALTH INSURANCE RATES:
Employee Only Single: $15 a month - raising to $25 in December 2009
Employee Plus Spouse: $337.18/mo
Employee Plus Child(ren): $258.27
Family: $375.39/mo
HOLIDAYS: The letter of understanding dictating us being able to bank 24 hours of Deferred Holiday will now be added to the Agreement so we don't have to renegotiate this every time.
The negotiating committee strongly recommends the membership accepting this when the ballots come out.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Sword Stolen
A good friend of mine's house was burglarized in Minneapolis and this sword was stolen. It is handmade and one of a kind. The blade is black steel with silver Rune symbols on it, the handle is wood. Should you run across anyone with this sword. Contact the Minneapolis Police Department (612 673-5714) and notify me. MPD case #07-391781.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Funeral for Helen Ann Omodt
Helen Ann Omodt, wife of former Sheriff Don Omodt and mother of Lt. Chris Omodt has passed away.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, November 26, at 11 a.m.
The funeral will be held at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church and also 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 25, at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Home, Edina Chapel, West 50th Street and Highway 100. The phone number to the funeral home is 952-920-3996. There will be a private internment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Our thoughts are with the Omodt family during this time.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, November 26, at 11 a.m.
The funeral will be held at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church and also 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 25, at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Home, Edina Chapel, West 50th Street and Highway 100. The phone number to the funeral home is 952-920-3996. There will be a private internment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Our thoughts are with the Omodt family during this time.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Also don't forget our Local 320 Holiday Party and Membership Meeting
Teamster Building - 3001 University Avenue Minneapolis, MN
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Door Prizes Awarded! - A Gift for Everyone!Food and refreshments: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Membership meeting: 7:00 pm
Also don't forget our Local 320 Holiday Party and Membership Meeting
Teamster Building - 3001 University Avenue Minneapolis, MN
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Door Prizes Awarded! - A Gift for Everyone!Food and refreshments: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Membership meeting: 7:00 pm
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Workhouse inmate dies of drug overdose
The Star Tribune is reporting that inmate Jefferey Berg died in solitary confinement at the workhouse.
John Berg said initial toxicology reports showed Valium, cocaine and Oxycontin in his son's system. Berg said he received that information Wednesday evening from an investigator with the Hennepin County medical examiner's office.
"Is it possible that he could have gotten contraband?" Fine (Corrections Administrator) said. "It's possible. We're not hermetically sealed. ... We try to do everything we can to make sure that contraband doesn't get in, but occasionally it does."
John Berg said initial toxicology reports showed Valium, cocaine and Oxycontin in his son's system. Berg said he received that information Wednesday evening from an investigator with the Hennepin County medical examiner's office.
"Is it possible that he could have gotten contraband?" Fine (Corrections Administrator) said. "It's possible. We're not hermetically sealed. ... We try to do everything we can to make sure that contraband doesn't get in, but occasionally it does."
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Wisconsin prison hostage freed safely
AP- WAUPUN, Wisconsin: A prison dental technician was taken hostage by an inmate early Wednesday but was released unharmed, shortly before the inmate surrendered, authorities said.
Full Story
Full Story
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Mike Opat Carjacked
Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat got robbed of his Jeep, wallet and Blackberry last Tuesday. I first saw this on Fox 9 News last night and the Star Tribune has the story this morning. The Fox 9 video is available here.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Weingarten Rights - Request for a Shop Steward
Weingarten Rights - Request for a Shop Steward
If you are called into a meeting with a management representative and you have reason to believe that disciplinary action against you may result, you have the right to have a steward present during this meeting. Read the statement below to the management representative, and contact your steward immediately.
READ THIS STATEMENT TO MANAGEMENT:
“If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I request that my union representative, officer, or steward be present at the meeting. Without representation, I choose not to answer any question.
“This is my right under a U.S. Supreme Court decision called Weingarten.”
This right is especially important should you get called into Internal Affairs (I.A.).
Always take a steward with you even if you are not the focus of the investigation, that focus can change!
You also have Garrity Rights:Protection Against Self Incrimination
Because the 5th Amendment applies to Public Employees:Public employees have certain constitutional rights that apply in their employment that may not apply to private employees. For example, in Garrity v. New Jersey, the Supreme Court held that statements obtained in the course of an investigatory interview under threat of termination from public employment couldn’t be used as evidence against the employee in subsequent criminal proceedings. If, however, you refuse to answer questions after you have been assured that your statements cannot be used against you in a subsequent criminal proceeding, the refusal to answer questions thereafter may lead to the imposition of discipline for insubordination. Further, while the statements you make may not be used against you in a subsequent criminal proceeding, they can still form the basis for discipline on the underlying work-related charge.
There are two prongs under the Garrity rights. First, if an officer is compelled to answer questions as a condition of employment, the officer's answers and the fruits of those answers may not be used against the officer in a subsequent criminal prosecution. Second, the department becomes limited as to what they may ask. Such questions must be specifically, narrowly, and directly tailored to the officer's job.
In 1996 the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office was found to have violated the Garrity rights of two detention deputies.
If the investigation is criminal do not talk to anyone without contacting a Team Legal Attorney!
Call 1-800-367-4321 to get an attorney. TEAM LEGAL ATTORNEYS ARE FREE FOR FULL DUES PAYING MEMBERS!
If you are called into a meeting with a management representative and you have reason to believe that disciplinary action against you may result, you have the right to have a steward present during this meeting. Read the statement below to the management representative, and contact your steward immediately.
READ THIS STATEMENT TO MANAGEMENT:
“If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I request that my union representative, officer, or steward be present at the meeting. Without representation, I choose not to answer any question.
“This is my right under a U.S. Supreme Court decision called Weingarten.”
This right is especially important should you get called into Internal Affairs (I.A.).
Always take a steward with you even if you are not the focus of the investigation, that focus can change!
You also have Garrity Rights:Protection Against Self Incrimination
Because the 5th Amendment applies to Public Employees:Public employees have certain constitutional rights that apply in their employment that may not apply to private employees. For example, in Garrity v. New Jersey, the Supreme Court held that statements obtained in the course of an investigatory interview under threat of termination from public employment couldn’t be used as evidence against the employee in subsequent criminal proceedings. If, however, you refuse to answer questions after you have been assured that your statements cannot be used against you in a subsequent criminal proceeding, the refusal to answer questions thereafter may lead to the imposition of discipline for insubordination. Further, while the statements you make may not be used against you in a subsequent criminal proceeding, they can still form the basis for discipline on the underlying work-related charge.
There are two prongs under the Garrity rights. First, if an officer is compelled to answer questions as a condition of employment, the officer's answers and the fruits of those answers may not be used against the officer in a subsequent criminal prosecution. Second, the department becomes limited as to what they may ask. Such questions must be specifically, narrowly, and directly tailored to the officer's job.
In 1996 the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office was found to have violated the Garrity rights of two detention deputies.
If the investigation is criminal do not talk to anyone without contacting a Team Legal Attorney!
Call 1-800-367-4321 to get an attorney. TEAM LEGAL ATTORNEYS ARE FREE FOR FULL DUES PAYING MEMBERS!
Friday, October 26, 2007
DRIVE Response to Follow the Money
After a flurry of phone calls and here it is.
1) DRIVE did not endorse Sheriff Stanek. His name did not appear in any mailings, newspaper adds or literature.
2) DRIVE is a PAC. It is separate from Teamsters Local 320. No Teamster Local 320 money was given. Only members who pay into DRIVE.
3) The check was written after the election by a lone DRIVE representative, Don Gerdesmeier. I can't imagine why.
4) Joint Council 32 claims no foreknowledge of Don Gerdesmeier's decision to write the check. Apparently as a DRIVE rep he doesn't have the power to endorse but has discretion in writing a check. It is claimed that Sheriff Stanek isn't the only unendorsed politician to receive such a check.
The basic gist I gathered is it's DRIVE's money and their business how to spend it. If we want a say we can join DRIVE. (I don't think so).
All of this appears to be fact, however, I maintain that of all people, Don Gerdesmeier knowing our poor relationship with former Sheriff McGowan (and the many times he backed doored us through Don) should have out of any respect for us, the rank and file, at least let Sheriff Stanek demonstrate a good relationship with us before just handing him their money giving the appearance of Teamster support. It is moves like this that will forever make me leery of DRIVE and it's intentions. The average politician doesn't know the difference between DRIVE and the Local, he just views money as support.
Knowing Don's relationship with the former Sheriff, I still believe, at least on his part, that while we were wanting to maintain neutrality during the election Don was nodding and winking at a politician and then giving him money. Moves like this make politicians think that they can trample on our members and our contract because the money will flow no matter what.
1) DRIVE did not endorse Sheriff Stanek. His name did not appear in any mailings, newspaper adds or literature.
2) DRIVE is a PAC. It is separate from Teamsters Local 320. No Teamster Local 320 money was given. Only members who pay into DRIVE.
3) The check was written after the election by a lone DRIVE representative, Don Gerdesmeier. I can't imagine why.
4) Joint Council 32 claims no foreknowledge of Don Gerdesmeier's decision to write the check. Apparently as a DRIVE rep he doesn't have the power to endorse but has discretion in writing a check. It is claimed that Sheriff Stanek isn't the only unendorsed politician to receive such a check.
The basic gist I gathered is it's DRIVE's money and their business how to spend it. If we want a say we can join DRIVE. (I don't think so).
All of this appears to be fact, however, I maintain that of all people, Don Gerdesmeier knowing our poor relationship with former Sheriff McGowan (and the many times he backed doored us through Don) should have out of any respect for us, the rank and file, at least let Sheriff Stanek demonstrate a good relationship with us before just handing him their money giving the appearance of Teamster support. It is moves like this that will forever make me leery of DRIVE and it's intentions. The average politician doesn't know the difference between DRIVE and the Local, he just views money as support.
Knowing Don's relationship with the former Sheriff, I still believe, at least on his part, that while we were wanting to maintain neutrality during the election Don was nodding and winking at a politician and then giving him money. Moves like this make politicians think that they can trample on our members and our contract because the money will flow no matter what.
Follow The Money
This post has been edited from it's original form. The crux of what set me off is this:
While checking on the campaign contributions to Sheriff Stanek I noticed that Teamsters Joint Council 32 gave the maximum contribution of $500 to Sheriff' Stanek's campaign! That's not all, it was given on 12/20/2006 AFTER the election!
See the next post for their explanation.
While checking on the campaign contributions to Sheriff Stanek I noticed that Teamsters Joint Council 32 gave the maximum contribution of $500 to Sheriff' Stanek's campaign! That's not all, it was given on 12/20/2006 AFTER the election!
See the next post for their explanation.
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