County responds to grievance filed by Sheriff’s Officers Association
The county government is responding to concerns raised by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Officers Association about staffing and safety at the county jail.
The grievances filed were discussed behind closed doors Monday in executive session in commissioners court. ABC-7 has learned the officers association isn’t happy with changes in jail staffing.
The deputies argue overtime restrictions and “civilianizing” some positions have reduced jail coverage. The association has filed eight collective bargaining contract grievances alleging “incidents the association claims are related to under-staffing at the detention facilities.”
The last contract was signed at the end of 2014. At the time, it was hailed as a measure that would keep costs down.
Monday, Sgt. Robert Horstman, president of the EPCSOA sent ABC-7 statement saying in part “that the grievances are the result of contract violations which include: Officer safety, lack of minimal staffing and violation of Texas Commission on Jail Standards. We contended that the Sheriff and the County are violating the Contract by not properly staffing the facilities which in turn creates an Officer safety issue as well as a safety issue for the inmates. The other issue is that because of lack of staffing, Officers are not being allowed a thirty minute uninterrupted break which is allotted by contract.”
Commissioner Carlos Leon, (D) Precinct 1, said that’s something the county will be working to address.
“Well it’s very important, number one, as you mention – a safety issue,” Leon said. “Do we have a safety issue? And that’s what we’re going to be looking at, and that’s foremost on my mind.”
Sheriff Richard Wiles previously defended the moves when he said “my allegiance is to the citizens and taxpayers of El Paso County, not the union.”
Commissioners Monday also discussed the contract of Chief Administrator Betsy Keller in executive session. Leon told ABC-7 commissioners are almost ready to finalize her contract after a few weeks of negotiations.
