Wednesday, June 17, 2009
A local association representing sheriff’s deputies is pushing McLennan County to create an advisory commission to oversee employment and firing procedures within the sheriff’s office.
The Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Association of McLennan County asked the county commissioners court Tuesday to consider establishing a civil service commission for the sheriff’s office. The three-member board would be appointed by the court and act as a reviewing board for deputy hiring, firing, promotion and transfer.
“What we are looking for is some job security, because every election year, there’s a chance that a new sheriff could come in and shake things up,” said Mike Garrett, association president. “And Sheriff (Larry) Lynch is eventually going to retire one day, so we want to have some job security during those types of transitions.”
Garrett said he was unaware of any instances in the county in which a deputy felt he or she was wrongfully fired. He emphasized that there are no grievances with Lynch.
“We have absolutely no problems at all with Sheriff Lynch or his leadership, and we want to make that very clear,” Garrett said. “This is only about our job security in the future.”
Garrett said in a random polling of 231 sheriff’s deputies, 186 were in favor of civil service. Lynch did not return a phone call requesting comment.
Representatives from the Texas Municipal Police Association, or TMPA, and the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, or CLEAT, made presentations to the court in favor of civil service.
Kevin Lawrence of TMPA said a civil service commission would create a process to appeal firings while protecting the county from wrongful termination lawsuits.
Currently, an officer who is fired from a sheriff’s office can only appeal the decision to the same sheriff.
“The county system is flawed because the governing body of the county sets courses of action and policies that county agencies are to follow, but it has no control of the actions of another elected official and leaves the county on the hook,” Lawrence said.
Civil service has been useful to whistle-blowers who wished to expose corruption in sheriff’s offices but were afraid to come forward for fear of losing their jobs, said Tom Barbee of CLEAT. The commission also would be able to handle any wrongful termination claims before legal action is pursued, Barbee said.
Still, civil service will not eliminate lawsuits stemming from wrongful firings. In cases involving a potential violation of federal discrimination laws, such as sexual harassment, racial discrimination, or the Americans With Disabilities Act, an individual still could file a lawsuit.
A civil service commission can be enacted by county commissioners or by voter approval in a county election. County Judge Jim Lewis said he feels the court should look carefully at the pros and cons of civil service before voting whether or not to adopt it.
“There’s more to it than saying it would protect the county from any liability for a lawsuit,” Lewis said. “You really have to look closely at the benefits.”
Countywide service
Commissioner Lester Gibson said he would favor establishing a countywide civil service commission to serve all county employees, if the court were to approve it. He expressed concern over whether the commission would benefit all employees equally. “In my opinion, we do have a flawed system in which people are not able to appeal these firing decisions,” Gibson said. “At the same time, I’ve seen (civil service commissions) used against minorities to keep them from moving up, but one thing doesn’t mean it’s bad overall. It could be a good.”
Commissioner Kelly Snell, who previously had spoken with Garrett about the civil service, said he also would favor a countywide civil service commission but said the commissioner’s court would have to critically determine who would serve on the board.
rdennis@wacotrib.com
757-5755
Comments
By Brandon
Jun 17, 2009 10:09 PM | Link to this
This is something the county needs more than most are willing to state to protect their backsides. The truth of the matter is people are tired of a cretin person being able to fire employees for no reason. They are unaware of any deputies wrongfully fired because it is kept under raps why they left and usually done by sever demotions. But this would finally add a level of professionalism that the department seriously lacks now.
By Voting Citizen
Jun 17, 2009 9:56 PM | Link to this
WOW you ask if Larry Lynch supports civil service and he wouldn't even give a comment to the newspaper. Big surprise there huh!!! It's a shame that the top law enforcement official in this county won't even back his own people. You ask if he supports civil service? Why would he if it will give his deputies a voice that is concentrated towards fair and equal treatment without the threat of retaliation from Larry Lynch and his administration. If the public only knew what they are voting for. Check with some of the Deputies and see what kind of answer you get. Oh wait, you can't because they can't give you an honest answer for fear of losing thier jobs and not being able to feed thier own families. What a joke!!!!!!!!!!!
By Lone Ranger
Jun 17, 2009 7:45 PM | Link to this
I am confused about Judge Lewis. In this article, what does he mean there is more to it than civl liability. What are you talking about sir. Please explain yourself. It sounds like the good ole boy system is about to come crumbling down. I love the remark by Mr. Gibson, "system is flawed." You got that right sir. This is the time for fairness and equality. Yes it is important who serves on the civil service commission. Where does Mr. Meadows and Mr. Mashek stand on this civl service. Are you part of the good ole boy system? I will be watching closely Mr. Meadows because he is my rep. I am happy to see that Waco is coming into the future and finally doing some things that are progressive. I have heard that Sheriff Lynch supports civil service. Do you support civil service Sheriff Lynch?
By Judge Roy Bean
Jun 17, 2009 3:54 PM | Link to this
Mike Garrett is right. I have been in McLennan County for a long time and can't remember a single time a Deputy was fired wrongfully. Instead, they are sent back to the jail at jailer pay.
By betty
Jun 17, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this
Civil Service is a sword that cuts both ways. Be aware that the police officers that got Civil Service for Waco were not treated well by the City and all the Hewitt officers that pushed for Civil Service for Hewitt are gone. Back when Jim Lewis ran for County Judge against that eye rolling, no police backing, non Texan Linda Ethridge, he attended a Waco Police Association meeting to ask for support. Lewis was asked if he supported Civil Service. Lewis replied "Yes I do, and I support Civil Service for police and I think all police officers, even County officers at the lower levels should have it." Lewis went on to say that deputies should not lose their jobs just because you get a new sheriff. After Lewis left the meeting, a retired police officer stood up and said he knew Jim Lewis all his life and that Lewis was a man of his word and that the Waco Police Association should back Lewis. The Waco Police Association supported Jim Lewis and when Lewis ran his campaign ads, he listed the Waco Police Association first on his list of supporters. Lewis won his campaign for County Judge. Well Jim Lewis, are you a man of your word? If not...........sounds like time for another billboard on IH 35 and it won't be Linda Ethridge's picture on it. Oh, I'm sorry, this is Waco, who controls free speech and billboards. Out 6 miles or within the Waco City limits, a billboard will be a billboard.
By Informative
Jun 17, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this
Name if civil service is enacted then the "Good Ole Boy" system is replaced, therefore it does alot of good.
By Waco
Jun 17, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this
would have to critically determine who would serve on the board.
That's all I need to know.........
By name
Jun 17, 2009 9:04 AM | Link to this
What good does a commission do when you work in the good old boys system?????
Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F, except on Tuesday when it's open until 9 p.m.
Post a comment
*HTML not allowed in comments. Your e-mail address is required.