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FEB 13, 2007

Meeting called to order at 6:30 PM by President S. G. Gillen

VP James Valdez, Treas A. Keck

Board M. Reardon

Introduction of guest: Jail Commander Clint Lee

Jaill Issues discussed:

Man power, construction problems, Fed inmates, Tazer (hope to be re-issued with new guidelines), medical clearance to accept inmates in booking, Nurses work for county health services, not the Sheriff's Office and apparently don't want to be there as they are being obstructive.

Time lines for IA's - some take over a year and have been dismissed... requires change to SMR - IA to limit time for IA to take place.. IA Issues of primary concern to patrol are apparently being ignored by the administratiion.

SMR for shootings - needs to put into place...has been written but not instituted

SMR for DV's -- written and under review, but nopt instituted.

However, Policy for Posse was recently written and has already been instituted!

Secretarial Issues

Knee Jerk reactions continue - can't pay secretaries over time to catch up on the thousands of overdue reports, but can pay them overtime to take calls in dispatch. Can't pay deputies overtive to assist in handling calls that sometimes stack over 12 in a single district, but can pay them overtime to come out and enforce juvenile curfew.

The current reporting procedure is NOT working and has resulted in suspects being released because on inability to meet timelines. Reports are lost within the system. Unable to locate reports within Spillman that have been turned in and approved where timeliness is of the essence. Priotizing of reports not working. Reports have to be taken diriectily to the attorneys outside of the existing standards for dessinmination. Secretaries forbidden to work for/assist patrol and to report to Admin/Records only. System worked better when the secretaries were under the districts/regions where they were assigned instead of under Records/Admin.

These an other issues have been presented to the Sheriff at one time and another over the last year and have not been addressed.

Membership voted to have the reporting issue brought before the Sheriff - the system is broken - just fix it.

Table political issues until next meeting

Next meeting set for Wednesday, March 21, 2007, 6:00 PM American Legion Coolidge. Membership and guest only - not an open meeting.

April 25, 2007

Executive Meeting:

President: S. G. Gillen

Secretary: Lorraine Bethka

Treasurer: Aubrey Keck

Board Member: Rob Ellis

Member: Todd Nelson

Rob Ellis has stepped down from the Board of Directors and named his replacement:

Todd Nelson. Todd was unanimously accepted by the Board. Please join us in welcoming Todd Nelson to the PCDA Board of Directors. We are pleased to have Todd join the Board as it is in keeping with our belief that the association is basically for the deputies and should be run by the deputies. As a deputy assigned to investigations with a relatively high badge number, he should be bringing with him more of the current veiws as to how the association should be run from the deputies perspective.

Membership agenda items were tabled until the May meeting. Those who proposed the agenda items should try to be present. It's is difficult to discuss some of these items without your input.

The Board of Directors wishes to express the goals and objectives of this association.

Of continuing, primary importance are working conditions, wages and benefits. Until such time as a Meet and Confer is established with the Pinal County Board of Supervisors we shall endeavor to work with the Sheriff's to solve proplems of mutual concern. This is in keeping with the memo of understanding currently in effect between the PCDA and Sheriff Vasquez. While the elected officers (pres. vp, sec. & treas) are tasked with the day to day operation of the association it will be the Board's responsibility to ensure that continued operation and the long term goals and objectives of the association.

July 18, 2007

American Legion, Florence, AZ

OLD BUSINESS

D/O Recruitment

Ron Strawn will arrange with AZCOPS Tim Clark to set up and schedule a recruitment campaignat PCSO Florence. He will present the schedule at the August 15th meeting. He will make arrangementsfor location and send e-mails to S.G. Gillen with dates and times for recruitment event. S.G. will meet with the Sheriff to obtain written conformation to use training rooms for the event.

Officer Safety

What is the number of officers per the number of citizens that would ensure both service to the public with response times and officer backups. Nation wide standard? 1.7 / 1000?

Per Sheriff Vasquez there are 16 in the current CARLOTA academy and there will be 20 in the next. There are also 3 to 4 laterals in the process of being hired. Sheriff Vasquez will endeavor to keep these numbers in the academy on a continuing basis to address attrition.

Radios

Deputy concerns

there are too many different types of radios

the more usuable HT1000 are being removed from service and replaced by 1250s

We need an information channel

still too many dead spots within the county

Ask Kurt Fonger for a full report on what is being done to address these issues

Deputies - e-mail us with you list of radio dead spots.

Jail is on a different freq that patrol can not access UHF vs VHF

S.G. will meet with the Sheriff to address these issues

suggest county put out bid for radios to other than Shores

Spillman

Problems continue with patrol reports

Currently going over 7000 behind (reportshave been written, but not entered into Spillman)

We did not have this problem before. Maybe we should look at going back to when the system was working. Supervisors should be reading and correcting reports. Secretaries should not be correcting reports, making changes to them or having to review them to for data.

When a docurment program exists why would we use a spreadsheet for document entry?

MDTs there are 30+ new cars being made ready with MDTs

Publish letter to editorial - OK

NEW BUSINESS

Parity Study for civilian personnel (evidence, secretaries, supply, etc.

Benefits Study

Short Term Disability

who is the benefits coordinator?

when did the county insurance take on short term disabilty/when did the county become self insured and who was responsible for the short term disability insurance prior to this.

PCDA - AZCOPS logo contest - incorporate these two into a PCDA logo for t-shirts and hats. Suggestions by membership to be turned in by Aug 15th meeting

Suggestion made to meet with the mining unions and officially align with them

Adverse Impact issues - Region 1 deputies are not happy with the current administration. Pay, benefits and working conditions. Raise was good, but still too little too late and not as much as they were led to believe. Calls continue to mount, work load increases and no real increase in the number of deputies.

PCDA to publish instructions for using county problem solving and advertise assistance

Detention issues

Ron Strawn

The new jail why does PCSO hire outside admin personnel who want to go back to direct supervision of inmates. The new jail was designed for indirect supervision to increase officer safety and decrease to cost to the public. There is a concern among the D/Os that the current administration has more interest in the care and treatment of inmates than it does the for the safety of its officers. When the new jail was designed the primary concerned relayed to the staff was that the older jail system did not work' it was not safe and it was not cost efficient.

Note: during the riot of 2003 on D/O was caught in a pod by 47 rioting inmates. That officer was in the pod by himself to supervise that number on a regular basis

Suggestion: maybe the commanders should read "Who Moved My Cheese" and stop costing the tax payers more money.

there has been rumors that Pyle has been talking about taking cuffs and sprays away from the D/Os. - inmates don't need to be cuffed while inside the runs. after all that's not the way CCA does it.

Why can't Lobby personnel check for wants and warrant on visitors. It would be more efficent.

Training: A D/O sent to training in San Antonio can not have a rental car even if he is miles for the airport and his hotel is miles from the school. Apparently there is no problem for Admin to have a rental car while out of county.

$50 million dollars for a facility and we can't even keep the elevators running. What happened to the warranty on the new jail. And by the way, if the repair guy has to stay on telephone for assistance in doing repairs why don't we get the guy at the other end to come here.

Concerns about Commander Gibbons' treatment of employees. (Has been addressed to the Sheriff.

These issues are going to be scheduled for the next meeting with Sheriff Vasquez.

PCDA Meeting with the Sheriff and Chief Terry Altman

August 22, 2007

S.G. Gillen, Lorraine Bethka, Aubrey Keck, Ron Strawn, Sgt. Cerosimo

Primary issuses addressed: Detentions

Items from this month and last month PCDA agenda were addressed:

1. The Sheriff confirmed that we would be allowed to use the PCSO building break area to hold a membership drive on September 12, 2007 0500-1300..

2. Direct supervision vs. Indirect supervision in the jail.

Chief Altman explained that statistics have shown that there are less problems, less fights and less officer injuries under Direct Supervision.. Direct supervision has been shown to be safer and more efficient; contrary to our own estimates of the situation. But, the statistics do speak for themselves. Chief Altman will be requested to furnish those statistics and the PCDA Board will look at them an other available statistics to compare. It hard to argue with the numbers and the bottom line is officer safety.

3. The administration states that it is not patterning itself after CCA, however:

*CCA is an accredited institution.

*The federal government has required the Sheriff's Office to comply with certain standards in order for the feds to pay for our jail.

* These standards are, for the most part, the same as the ACA standards and when we meet those standards, we also meet the federal standards.

* Therefore we will become accredited and many of our procedures will resemble those of CCA.

* The administration (as it has already announced) will NOT be taking cuff and defense sprays away from D/Os.

* An accepted standard is one officer per 10 inmates in escort inside the institution (uncuffed) this procedure will be continued, however, specific safety issues concerning certain individuals and groups will be addressed.

PCDA Minutes excerpts

September 2007 meeting.

The following members and guests were present.

John Burpo

Tim Clark

Tyrone Morgan

Marlis Freed

Jeff Parkhurst

Gary Masinick

Aubrey Keck

Lanie Bethka

Hunter Rankin

Doloris Corral

Albert Corral

Robert Hoyos

Regina Murrieta

Sergio Hernandez

S.G. Gillen

David Hausman

Mike Reardon

The meeting of the Pinal County Deputies Association was called to order by President S. G. Gillen at 6:20 hours.

President Gillen introduced John Burpo, National Representative of the CWA Union, which is the AZCOPS parent union. He informed the membership that Congress has a Meet and Confer bill before it for action that has enough support to render it veto proof.

Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vasquez has signed a Memo of Understanding with the Deputies Association. However, at this time, the Pinal County Board of Supervisors does not unanimously support Meet and Confer.

Union Representative Burpo told the membership that Pinal County was the third Arizona Sheriff’s Office to join AZCOPS when the union first started up in Arizona.

Marana Police Department, Tucson Police Department and Pima County Sheriff’s office will openly support Meet and Confer agreements. Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vasquez supports a Meet and Confer agreement.

Burpo suggested that PCDA draft a county ordinance for Meet and Confer, and present it to the Pinal County Board of Supervisors. Union Representative Burpo will help us draft it. He suggested that the agreement contains clauses covering enforcement and compulsory payroll deduction. He suggested that PCDA put together the draft of the provisions, and then go to the Pinal County Board of Supervisors with Sheriff Vasquez to line up political support.

Union Representative Burpo said if that approach doesn’t work, then run a political campaign. To kick off the campaign, get voters to sign petitions setting up a referendum. Use radio and TV coverage, yard signs, direct mail, newspapers, etc. Put the political campaign in place in six months. He pointed out that the Primary election is next year, along with the November Election is perfect timing to run a Meet and Confer campaign. Union Representative Burpo will help us.

Currently, out of 15 counties, none has Meet and Confer agreements. However, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office will interpret the laws governing the agreement to make it possible.

John Burpo and Tim Clark leave.

At 6:42 p.m., the regular meeting is called to order by President Gillen.

The AZCOPS attorney, Martin Bien, is requesting payroll deduction by the County for PCDA membership dues. The County is dragging it’s feet. The County has until next week to address this issue before Martin Bien files for legal action.

President Gillen noted that the designated jail representatives are Ron Stram and Nick Cercisimo. They met with Sheriff Vasquez, Terry Altman and PCDA union representatives.

Hunter Rankin asked why safety issues seem to be just out the window because of the accreditation requirements. Treasurer Keck said the feds require the policies and procedures in order for them to help pay for the new jail.

Rankin said that it seems the jail is trading convenience for safety. Treasurer Keck reminded everyone that AZCOPS and PCDA are concerned about working conditions.

Keck said that Nick Cercisimo was written up in what appears to be retaliation for the issues he brought up with the union regarding safety issues. Treasurer Keck said PCDA protested and Chief Altman met with sheriff. Treasurer Keck said that Chief Altman will meet with PCDA representatives but it appears he will not do much. Treasurer Keck said he asked Chief Altman to meet with employees outside of work. Sheriff Vasquez is in agreement.

Members brought up the issue of nepotism at the jail. Treasurer Keck said PCDA is trying to cure some of the problems but he pointed out that we need to go by County policies. He said that “Deadwood” employees still there. They are promoted rather than demoted and/or fired.

PCDA members from the jail said there is a Suggestion Box but it doesn’t work. Suggestions appear to be ignored unless they reflect something “management” wants.

Treasurer Keck said the only way to deal with this issue is to remove deniability.

Albert Corral asked why we can't have a Safety Team at the jail. The membership thought that was a good suggestion.

Recruitment drive went real well . 44 plus new members. Another 15 or 20 expressed interest. Questions involving Due Process Issue came up during recruitment. The answer is to do it right to get rid of people. The real issue for the union is, “How are they treating you in the process?” IA representation is part of AZCOPS membership benefits. Pay $325 per year to have insurance with legal coverage.

Problem Solving format (Conflict Resolution Guidelines} – Treasurer Keck is working on it , and it should be uploaded onto the web site soon.

Progress report on Report System -- Still a mess. Union representatives met with Spillman representatives. President Gillen is pushing dictation. Kaye Dickson went to Pima County and told Sheriff Vasquez that dictation didn't work, and Spillman won't handle it. Sheriff Vasquez will need to look into it in Pima County, because independent checks with Pima County reveal that the dictation system works well.

Sheriff Vasquez designated President Gillen and Hunter Rankin to discuss it with Pat Ramirez, who is now working on the Report Committee.

Mike Reardon said the number of reports still behind is down to between 5,100 and 5,800. He said Kaye Dickson is beating up secretaries to get the job done. Secretaries now come into Florence one day per week to work on it. Kaye Dickson is still making secretaries read the report and do corrections instead of just data entry. System still doesn't work. Secretaries want out from under the Administration chain of command and back under their region lieutenants.

Table Parity study.

Table benefits study. Web site. Go to news items. Meet and Confer issue,

Self-insured FLMA and Short Term Disability. AZCOPS Attorney Martin Bein is looking into it. He will get back with us on a class action suit.

Officer Safety Manpower study being done by Sheriff Vasquez. He is doing another PAN study that will rate workflow, etc. Sheriff Vasquez will be using it as a tool to plan for better manpower needs assessment.

Radio issue tabled until next time.

Albert Corral said the union representatives from the mines (Locals 915 and 5252) will be coming to the next meeting to talk to us about working together. Their experience will help us with our efforts in Meet and Confer.

Adverse impact issues tabled -- losing deputies to Maricopa and other areas.

AZCOPS will let them mail to members but no obligation to use.

New Business

Tyron Morgan said that Laterals get a 6-month probation. County puts them on one year. Needs to be clarified. Sheriff's policy can say 6 months, but the County can still fire you up to one year until their probation period is over.

Sick Leave - Authorized by supervisor but can't use it while on probation

Sick leave issues go to attorney

Probation issue goes to Sheriff.

It has been changed this year by the County.

Discuss with AZCOPS Attorney Martin Bien Send up through AZCOPS.

Treasurer Keck moved and Tyrone Morgan seconded the motion to take this to Sheriff Vasquez. Then, later, take the issue to union lawyer.

Another County personnel office issue is Making people go on FMLA after 3 days. We will ask the union lawyer to look into this issue as well.

Treasurer Keck moved and Secretary Bethka seconded the revised date for the next PCDA meeting will be held at the Florence American Legion from 6 pm to 8 pm. on October 24th. The motion was passed.

Nominations for next year’s slate of officers will be due.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.