Candidate For Sheriff responds to Virginia Police Benevolent Association

Jorge Amselle, Democratic candidate for Warren County Sheriff. Photo by Mark Williams, Royal Examiner.

Front Royal, VA—Jorge Amselle, Democratic candidate for Warren County Sheriff, recently released his responses to a questionnaire from the Virginia Police Benevolent Association, which the association will use in any endorsement decision. “In the interest of transparency and accountability I am releasing the questions posed to me and my responses so that every citizen of Warren Country can see them. I call on the other candidates for Sheriff to publicly release their responses to these important questions. We need to know what kind of policies our next Sheriff will pursue,” said Amselle.

The Questions and Amselle’s responses are posted below.

Issue: Allowing PBA Recruitment of Deputies
Background:
PBA membership affords members numerous benefits and the opportunity to belong to a professional law enforcement association. These benefits include attorney representation for line of duty shootings and in-custody death situations. Membership also includes coverage if a member is civilly sued for actions arising out of performance of their duties. In those tragic cases where a member is killed in the line of duty the accidental death benefit pays up to $70,000 to the member’s beneficiary.

Question #1:
If elected, would you allow the PBA and/or its recruiters to speak to deputies about the value and benefit of having a PBA membership?

Amselle Answer:
Yes. I would welcome PBA to speak with and recruit any employees of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. I favor organized labor and benevolent associations as an essential part of easing the power disparities between employers and employees and protecting the rights of workers.

Issue: Uniforms
Background:
Over the past several years law enforcement has changed to make law enforcement uniforms more comfortable. In general, the tactical uniform is perceived as more practical for the physical aspects of today’s policing. Police officers now have more everyday gear to carry, and that means officers need to be able to accommodate that on their uniform.

Question#2:
If elected would you authorize deputies to wear a tactical uniform while on duty? Why or why not?
Amselle Answer:
Yes. When appropriate, deputies will be permitted to wear the tactical uniform. I plan to set policy about tactical uniforms after reviewing current policy and discussing it with staff to ascertain their views. Deputies have a right to be comfortable while performing their duties whenever possible. Deputies also have an obligation to present a clean and professional appearance while on duty. In some circumstance and in some job categories the tactical uniform may not be appropriate. I will set policy that makes it clear when and where a tactical uniform may be worn.

Issue: Take Home Vehicles
Background:
In the past, deputies that lived outside the county were allowed to take their vehicles home. Several years ago, the take home privilege was stripped from the deputies with no apparent warning. The take home privilege was a great recruitment tool and would help the deputies save money.

Question #3:
If elected would you be willing to change the current policy to allow deputies who live outside the county to take their cars home within a certain radius of Warren County? Why or why not?
Amselle Answer:
No. County vehicles should be for official use only, never for personal use inside or outside the county by any official or county employee at any level. I support increased compensation as a more appropriate recruitment tool. However, no staff member should lose a current benefit without due warning and proper compensation.

Issue: Unfair Application of Discipline
Background:
In the past, it has been proven that a lack of accountability and wrongdoing have taken place within the sheriff’s department. Members of the Department have been fired only to be rehired a short time later. It appears major issues have occurred with some of the employees, including administrators, and the matters have been “swept under the rug” or overlooked. This lack of accountability can be viewed as corruption and causes the agency to appear unprofessional.

Question #4:
If elected will you make it policy that complaints are investigated by a trained internal affairs department and discipline is administered fairly across the department?
Amselle Answer:
Yes. Any complaint against any member of the Sheriff’s office will be fairly and fully investigated by both trained internal affairs professionals AND an outside, independent body. No incident will be hidden from the public or “swept under the rug.” No one who has been fired with cause will be re-hired.

Issue: Department and Community Relations Background
Background:
Currently, judging by media reports, there appears to be a large amount of mistrust between members of the community and elected officials in Warren County. The sheriff’s office and the elected sheriff are at the forefront of public safety and community trust. Professionalism within the sheriff’s department is recognized by the citizens and enhances public safety.

Question #5:
If elected what measures will you take to ensure that the sheriff’s department is viewed as a professional law enforcement organization from both inside and outside the department?
Amselle Answer:
A lack of trust in our public and elected officials has severely damaged our community. This lack of trust is due to a repeated and longtime trend of insider dealing, corruption, and lack of accountability and transparency. I will have a clear policy that no employee of the Sheriff’s Office may engage in any private business transactions or dealings with anyone in a position of authority within the county or town government. Exceptions may be made for routine transactions unrelated to employment duties but they must be publicly disclosed if they fall above a specified dollar threshold. In addition, any appearance or evidence of unlawful behavior by any town or county official will be immediately referred to the State Police to investigate.

To learn more and keep up to date on Jorge Amselle’s campaign visit www.amselle4sheriff.com and follow on Twitter and FaceBook.

Meet Jorge Amselle – Democratic candidate for Warren County Sheriff