Sheriff Lampert states his case on problems with manpower and appropriate pay for supervisors

To the people.

In January of 2011 our department was reorganized to better the everyday performance. We had to take our full time Detective Sgt and put him on shift work. This left the county without a detective, however it helped with managing everyday responsibilities.

With the manpower that we had in January through the present something had to be neglected and l have received complaints about some of our responsibilities being neglected. On a daily basis we have to prioritize with court transports, vehicle accidents, domestic situations, and paper service -point blank, everyday responsibilities have to be done at the time it is needed and as we are capable.

Since January, I have notified the county council and commissioners of the manpower issue. At one point I was told to ask for a deputy in the 2012 budget so it is more convenient: however nothing in law enforcement is convenient. At one point I was told I have their blessing and then another point they wanted more statistics. They have received the statistics they requested and more. They have been getting a monthly report from the Sheriff’s Department and statistics received from the Indiana Sheriff’s Department Association.

Then it was said the county can’t afford it, however I presented the budget for next year and when I went into the hearing they said every salary employee gets a $700.00 raise, and they proceeded on to the next line item. (Prior to this meeting I received an email that said to put in the budget $1500.00 salary increase for all, $1.00 an hour more for hourly and $.50 per hour for part time.) I stopped them and advised them that the budget we put in would bring our department to where it should have been/should be.

I also asked why the supervisor positions in the jail were being neglected. I had told them about having a jail commander, assistant jail commander, and two shift supervisors a few months ago and they said put it in the budget for 2012. So when I filled these positions a I told the new supervisors what was said by the council. I checked the budget after the meeting with the council and there is no reimbursement for their positions. However in all of the government that I have seen there is reimbursement for supervisory positions. I presume there is some type of prejudice and if it is not corrected I will pay out of my pocket for my officers to receive something.The jail is more organized each officer is more accountable. This is not asking for more. it is asking to make it fair. When I took office the council had eight full time cooks listed for $19,000.00 a year, which was changed after being pointed out to them.

My question is, how does the council make their decisions? I was told that if I’m not going to go along with them it will not be good for my department. I have been yelled at for having an attitude to correct what is wrong first and then expand as we can afford (i.e. department parking lot falling apart and have a big hole in the yard from the past etc ..). I have told them that if the county can’t afford something I will leave it alone.

I also believe that no elected official should get a raise until the economy is better and the average person working in the private sector gets one. Ditto to the commissioners who approved the two new jailer positions and extra deputy position. They came up, visited, and saw what we deal with. However, the county council has been invited and say they know what is best for this department but do not come to see.

My understanding is the council approved a new deputy position but did not approve the new jailer positions which would help with grants, filing paper work, inmate transports, paper service etc. this would be a cheaper but an effective way of getting the work done.

Yes I’m frustrated. But have not forgotten my oath.

We are your Sheriff’s Department.