The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy. I have used this quote many times in the past and live by it. For this reason, I wish to state to those who I have offended with my recent article and e-mails that I regret any harm you feel I have imposed on you and the entire classification.

I thank those of you who contacted me to personally voice your concerns and opinions, while also providing enlightening suggestions. To you, I sincerely apologize and commit to stand by my word and look forward to working with all of you in the future. I will consider this to be a lesson learned and plan to move forward with a new insight as to the concerns of those working in the Detentions Bureau.

The DSA Legal Defense Program was initially established in 1986 and modified in 1999. I mention this because the conditions of representation and the definition of terms have been both used and referenced as guidelines since those dates.

We have recently had an increase in the requests for legal coverage pertaining to incidents occurring while not in the “employment as a San Diego County Deputy Sheriff” (off duty). The most frequently asked question coming from you, the membership, is, “Who makes the determination of whether a particular act or allegation is within the “course and scope of employment?” First, the Legal Defense Program Committee makes that determination after a hearing with the member. After the hearing, the committee then makes a recommendation to the board. The Board of directors ultimately makes the final determination as to whether the act or allegation is approved for legal assistance under the terms and conditions of the program.

The association has the ability to research and consider increased coverage for non-course and scope incidents, but as expected there is an added cost. So if you, the membership feel that it’s a direction we need to go in, we will contact our legal firm and advise them to put together a program that would include legal representation and coverage for these types of incidents and forward that information to you. An in-depth article regarding this subject will follow later, but most of your immediate questions regarding the coverage’s currently offered by the DSA can either be answered in the Legal Defense Plan booklet or by talking to someone on the LDP committee.

Just when we thought it was starting to settle down, Assemblyman C. Price D-51st (Inglewood and Hawthorne) has introduced AB 2333. This bill would create legislation that would address peace officer training regarding the use of racial slurs, racial profiling, and the inappropriate use of force. It would also allow public access to records related to complaints of police misconduct, provide for public hearings of said misconduct, and provide adequate discipline standards for the misconduct.

Los Angeles may have a problem, but here in San Diego County, we already have the oversight in place to deal with these same issues should they arise. We will keep you informed as to the progress and status of this bill as it moves through the system.

I never thought I would see the day that Jim Duffy would say goodbye to the department. I have worked continuously with Jim for over seven years as both a director and later as a member of the e-board of the DSA. Jim is a walking wealth of knowledge and will be missed. I wish him all the best and have no doubt he will excel as Chief of Staff for Supervisor Ron Roberts.

Take care, stay healthy, and be safe. 