LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Deputy Sheriffs” Association (LCDSA) released a statement through its attorneys Monday about a recent case in which the court decided Sheriff Frank Rivero did not violate a sergeant”s officer rights following an incident in March.
“The court”s decision in favor of the county in this particular case should not be seen as an endorsement of the sheriff”s management practices,” the LCDSA said in a statement released Monday by attorney Christopher W. Miller, of the firm Mastagni, Holstedt, Amick, Miller & Johnsen.
Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) Sgt. Corey Paulich filed a lawsuit against the department and county claiming Rivero violated his public safety officer rights during conversations after an incident in which a law enforcement pursuit ended with an LCSO vehicle hitting the suspect”s car.
Judge William A. McKinstry wrote in his decision last week that the communications Rivero had with Paulich “occurred in the normal course of duty, counseling, and informal verbal admonishment, such that no violation of Sergeant Paulich”s rights occurred.”
Rivero responded to the decision Friday, stating, “This ruling should assure the public that my actions were, and will always be, in conformance with the rights afforded our law enforcement personnel.”
The LCDSA said Monday the court”s decision does not answer many other questions about the department that the union believes have developed since Rivero”s term began.
“The decision does not address patrol staffing levels and overtime, citizen concerns about patrol coverage and crime, low morale in the department, or the serious officer safety concerns the DSA has raised regarding several recent incidents,” the statement read.
The LCDSA”s attorneys will review the decision to determine whether it should be appealed, according to the statement.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
