Current Issue - Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego County

I believe it was a Rudyard Kipling poem in
which a father tells his son that one sign
of being a man is, “If you can keep your
head when all about you are losing theirs…”
These words come to mind when I look
back on 2012 and the impressive role that
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
played in shaping events.
We know this was an exceptionally eventful
year for those of us in public service
and in law enforcement in particular. It
was the first full year for implementing
Public Safety Realignment (AB 109) with
its massive shift in responsibility to the
sheriff’s department and county probation
department. This has required us to re-tool
and accelerate our recruitment of deputy
sheriffs. It’s prompted us to rethink how we
staff our Detentions Services Bureau and
how we bring Law Enforcement deputies
into the department.
Also, this year policymakers statewide
took aim at the retirement benefits afforded
public employees. On the last day of the
legislative session, the California State
Legislature passed The Public Employee
Pension Reform Act of 2012 (AB 340),
mandating major changes in public
employee pensions at all levels of state and
local government. This calls for us to reexamine
commitments made in the past to
see how they fit into the new law.
As big as these changes are, this department
has deliberately avoided being driven by
crisis. We have a public safety agenda. We
have a mission. We have developed and
deployed new strategies to advance that
mission—to make us more effective on the
street, in our criminal investigations, in our
courtrooms and our jails.
In responding to the crises and in
Looking back...
Message from Sheriff Bill Gore
continuing our work to advance our
mission, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association
has played a key role.
As Sheriff, I am in a unique position to
observe the leadership of our DSA. I see
how they interact with county leaders and
policymakers. I listen when they offer input
on policies and on decisions we are making
that directly affect deputy sheriffs. We don’t
always agree, but I am genuinely impressed
with the integrity of the positions taken.
They are carefully weighed, consistent with
DSA’s charter, and invariably considerate of
larger public concerns.
In some jurisdictions, employee unions
are fighting with city and county
administrators and making rude noises in
the public media. But in this county we’ve
charted a different course—marked by
professionalism, honesty, and respect. In
the words of Kipling, while many are losing
their heads, we’ve kept ours.
As a result, our DSA has earned the respect
of decision makers at the State Capitol and
the County Administration Center. And
that respect directly inures to the long-term
benefit of sheriff’s deputies in this county.
As a consequence, the public’s view of
this department remains undiminished. I
believe the people of this county love their
deputies!
All of this provides great momentum as we
move forward into the New Year. There’s
no limit to what we can accomplish if we
keep our focus on our mission, hold fast
to our principles, and work together as a
formidable team.
Wishing you and your family a joyous
holiday season and wonderful New Year.
Do well and stay safe.
Office & Store Closures
December 11 closes at 11:30 a.m.
December 24, 25
January 1
Store Closure Only
December 31
The DSA office and store are
closed on most holidays. The
DSA is closed for Christmas
and New Years, but if you have
an emergency, the after hours
answering service will direct your
call. The DSA store will be closed
on Dec. 31 for inventory, but the
office will remain open. Please
plan accordingly, especially when
purchasing discount tickets for
use over holiday weekends.
Holiday Meeting Schedule
December
The second December meeting
has been cancelled due to the
holidays. The general member
meeting remains the same on the
second Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
Children’s Christmas Party
December 8
This annual Christmas Party is
the DSA’s most popular member
event. Santa will stop by this funfilled
event, which has activities
for all ages.
Retiree Christmas Luncheon
December 8
Join fellow retirees at the annual
Christmas luncheon at the El
Cajon Elk’s Lodge. RSVP online
at www.dsasd.org/winter.
Director Petitions Due
December 10
Run for the DSA Board of
Directors. Nomination petitions
can be found on page 38
and must be returned before
December 10.
Director Installation Luncheon
January 24
The 2012 DSA Board of Directors
will be sworn in during a
lunchtime ceremony on January
24. The DSA Office and Store
will close at 11 a.m. for this
event. Invites will be mailed to
members’ homes.
DSA Dinner Dance
March 23
Save the Date for the annual DSA
Dinner Dance. More information
will be sent to member’s home
and posted online.
DSA (858) 486-9009
DSA DATES
Silver Star December 2012 5