Sheriff Wiles says promised IT support hasn’t happened

The consolidation of the El Paso County IT department several years ago came to a head on Monday as Sheriff Richard Wiles told commissioners the system isn’t working.

Roughly $1 million of the IT department’s budget is tied to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

Wiles said that hasn’t stopped several concerns from going unanswered. According to Wiles, the office support promised before he took office is not being met.

Peter Cooper, the head of the IT department, defended himself saying he felt the work has actually been above and beyond the current agreement.

He pointed to statistics showing 92 percent of surveys done following IT problems show a positive review of the work that’s been completed in the past three months.

Cooper oversees an IT department that, since consolidation, oversees all of the County’s computer and technology needs including the Sheriff’s Office.

Commissioner Dan Haggerty, who was on the Commissioners Court when the consolidation took place several years ago, laughed when Cooper discussed how communication hasn’t worked well.

Haggerty told Wiles if Cooper wasn’t doing his job Wiles needed to tell him if he should be fired.

Wiles responded that if Cooper is incapable of reacting to his concerns he should have his own budget for IT officers.

“That goes under IT,” said Haggerty as the discussion between Wiles and Cooper seemed to get heated. “It makes no sense to have two.”

The issue arose because Wiles said he’s discussed problems over adequate IT support with Cooper.

Wiles said Cooper has not responded to his concerns and Cooper suggested that human resources step in and get involved with what seems to be an escalating issue.

Cooper added that concerns didn’t go through the proper channels, something that appeared to upset Wiles when brought up.

“The assessments should occur accurately and quickly through your office,” Commissioner Anna Perez said to Cooper.

Perez pointed out issues have arisen before and that broader questions exist for the IT department.

Wiles said he does agree communication occurs and the County IT works well, but said they’re feeling major impact as law enforcement officers try to do their job.

He also pointed out a monthly report that was supposed to be given dating back to 2008, was brought to him this past week for the first time since he took office.

County Judge Veronica Escobar said it appears the IT agreement is outdated and it needs to be looked into whether the agreement made in 2008 needs changes. She said giving the sheriff his own IT department doesn’t make sense, but believes issues need to be addressed issue by issue.

Commissioners Court expects to put an issue on the agenda in the coming weeks to review the IT agreement. That issue would involve both the IT department and the Sheriff’s Office.