The Voice - October 2024

The Voice has been distributed to the facilities, however I forgot one important part to be included. John Van Houte sent me his portion of The Voice early, and I forgot to add it in, but it is included in this post. He outlines the new policy changes the board has been involved in.

West VP Report – October        

Policy Reviews:

4 policies were presented to the board for review in October.  Here is an overview of the policies and any issues or concerns that we presented:

Policy 1200.00 – Communication with the Media

• Policy 2 is overly restrictive and would potentially attempt to restrict permitted activities with the media (i.e. Whistle blower protections, etc.)  Wording was proposed to address the concerns.  (This was a shared concern with DSA)

Policy 1210.00 – Requests for Public Appearances

• No issues or concerns noted

Policy 1235.00 – Official Correspondence; Uniform Messaging

• Policy 2 still contains language from prior DTB (January 2024).  We proposed language to use concepts that were referenced during DTB on this topic.  (This is a shared concern with DSA)

Policy 1345.00 – Weapon s Administration

• In Procedure 1.2 we proposed adding wording requiring Primary Duty Weapons must be secured in an Agency Provided Locking Box.  This is the same language as is in the TASER and OC portion of same policy.  The reason for this recommendation was to ensure that MCSO provides weapon safes to staff who need them.

• In procedure 3.2proposed adding same wording in 1.2.  Also proposed adding language that members who have not yet been issued an Agency Provided Locking Storage Box, or have discovered that theirs is no broken or in need of repair, shall notify the Training Unit to be issued a new one.

• In procedure 3.3 we recommended the same comments as in 1.2 and 3.2 regarding securing in agency provided Locking Storage Box.

  
  

The policies with no concerns noted will move forward for enactment.  The policies where we have listed issues or concerns will either be revised and resubmitted for union review, or will become a subject of bargaining specific to that policy.