PRIORITIES
Internal
Paid overtime:
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Deputies should not be given only compensatory time that is often difficult for them to take off later. Spreading overtime costs across pay periods is better for budgeting those expenses instead of paying out a massive unplanned check when a deputy retires or leaves unexpectedly.
Officer wellness:
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A facility dog helps people cope after a traumatic event or overly stressful environment. They can be used to help both deputies manage stress and survivors of violent crime share their stories with investigators.
Promotions:
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Promotions based on merit and qualifications.
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For interview boards for investigator promotions, I always used outside agencies including the commonwealth attorney’s office and other law enforcement investigators.
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For practical exams, I used a sexual assault scenario where a female detective from another agency played a survivor at the Emergency Room and an advocate from the women’s resource center would work together to grade the interview. One knew what questions to ask and the other knew how best to ask those questions.
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Promotions to Lieutenant and Captain will no longer be political appointments. They will be based on merit and expertise.