LAKEPORT >> The Sworn Peace Officer Management staff of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has been approved to be recognized as a separate Bargaining Unit from the Lake County Sheriff Management Association Unit.
Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said there is legislation in place that affords law enforcement officers the ability to become their own unit. Recently staff members petitioned for their own collective bargaining support.
This unit will include one Undersheriff, two Captains and 5 Lieutenants from the Lake County Sheriff’s department. The unit will represent the Peace Officers and the employees when dealing with management. Undersheriff Chris Macedo will serve as vice president.
“This already exists and has been in existence for quite some time for Lake County Sheriff’s Office sworn management personnel to have their own collective bargaining unit,” Macedo said.
He explained that local law enforcement officials agreed with the decision. The process was outlined by the state.
“This goes in line with California Government Code Section 3508, which allows Peace Officers to have their own collective bargaining unit. The rules already exist in county government and we had put paperwork to the county human resources director,” Macedo said.
Although legislation was in place and classifications fit with the county’s Law Enforcement Management county code, the matter still had to be heard by the Board of Supervisors for approval.
County Council Anita Grant pointed out that the decision was outside of the jurisdiction of the Human Resource Director, therefore requiring a board hearing.
“I don’t think there was any resistance, it is just a matter of what the existing county code says. This was outside of the HR Director’s purview so it comes to the board as a matter of course. I am not aware of any matter of opposition, objection or problem,” Grant said.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson said in the future there may be similar groups requesting this same process as well. There are currently over 100 management employees that are governed by the existing management resolution and also a confidential unit that may ask for the same consideration.
