Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Carlos G. Bolanos, Sheriff
Subject: Creation of New Correctional Officer Classification
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the Sheriff to add an armed correctional officer classification through the required state legislative process detailed in California Penal Code Section 830.1.
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BACKGROUND:
Penal Code Section 830.1(c) grants peace officer status to correctional officers of specified counties while engaged in the performance of duties relating to their custodial assignments, or when performing other law enforcement duties directed by their employing agency during a local state of emergency.
DISCUSSION:
Armed correctional officers is not a new concept. Correctional officers in 32 of California’s 58 counties currently have peace officer status (A list of these counties is available in California Penal Code section 830.1(c)). The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office currently classifies its correctional officers as custodial officers, not peace officers. The primary difference between these classifications is that peace officers are armed and custodial officers are not. This distinction limits correctional officers’ authority to oversee the transportation of inmates to or from outside agency facilities.
If the addition of the armed correctional officer classification is approved, the Sheriff will initially designate only a limited number of correctional officers to be selected for this new role. This would dramatically increase the effectiveness and versatility of this selected group of armed correctional officers and reduce the burden on our depleted deputy sheriff ranks to perform corrections related duties that require armed escort.
The California State Sheriffs’ Association has approved the initiation of the legislative process for adding the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office to the list of agencies in Penal Code 830.1 with the condition that the Sheriff’s Office obtain approval to proceed from the County Board of Supervisors, the San Mateo County Sheriff, and the Deputy Sheriff’s Association. The Sheriff and the Deputy Sheriff’s association have agreed to pursue this job classification.
The resolution and agreement have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
The addition of an armed correctional officer classification contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by increasing the versatility and effectiveness of Sheriff’s Office correctional staff and by increasing our ability to perform law enforcement duties during a local state of emergency.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with adding the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office to the list of agencies included in Penal Code 830.1. This change would provide the Sheriff’s Office with the ability or option to free up higher paid deputy sheriffs from performing custodial duties, improve operational flexibility, and increase our ability to perform other law enforcement duties during a local state of emergency.