A glimpse into the sheriff’s department
By Ted Long
On March 19, I completed my first session of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy. Of the 30 participants, I was the only one from South Lake Tahoe, and like many other things I have done in Placerville, it seems that Lake Tahoe is in a different world.
And with the new lines for supervisor we will soon lose a resident supervisor.
Ted Long
I am participating in the program for several reasons, one is just something to do, but more important as a former attorney who has seem his share of police abuse, former grand jury member who has investigated and reported on the sheriff’s office several times and as a curious citizen. In an effort to encourage more South Lake participation in county affairs I would like to share with you my weekly adventure.
The class, 14 in all, meets every Tuesday at the government center and according to Sheriff John D’Agostini, is done as an effort to inform and educate the public on the operation of the sheriffs’ office. The sessions will cover all aspects of the sheriff department from hiring to actual hands-on operations and include a ride along.
Session one was about the hiring practices and training of a new sheriff’s deputy. The class was run by Bob Ashworth, a captain with 25 years of service in the department. A very likable guy who answered everyone’s questions. He used his path as an example of the process, starting with his teen-age desire to be a cop, his military service while he waited to be old enough, 21, to apply for a job with a police department. After five years in Birmingham, Ala., he came to El Dorado County where he has worked his way up to captain.
While his presentation is homey and interesting, the best part for me was the questions. He explained how certain issues in your past might or would disqualify you for the job, such things as drugs, prior criminal behavior, questionable events dealing with sex and other behavior, all of which seemed to make sense, except when asked if there were any real research on the truth of these conclusions, he said no.
There is a strong military influence as you might suspect. The problem as I see it is that through years of “inbreeding” the department reflects a certain lack of diversity. A large group of similar thinking individuals, hiring others. In explaining the interview process I noted there was no citizen input. Ashworth seemed to think that it might not be useful. He did note that the use of marijuana is not as much a barrier as it use to be, especially medical use. It just seemed to me that seeing such a change might open the department to consider other issues. For example, a non-violent criminal record as a youth, might just be the lesson that would make someone a good cop? Just a thought, which a citizen participant might bring?
Next week is a tour of the communications center and the jail.
Ted Long is a resident of South Lake Tahoe, former City Council member and has been on the El Dorado County Grand Jury.
good show ted.
Mr. Long:
“There is a strong military influence as you might suspect. The problem as I see it is that through years of “inbreeding” the department reflects a certain lack of diversity.”
I find your condescending reference to “military influence” insulting and suspect that you’d believe individuals who attended Werner Erhard’s 1970’s “EST Training” in a hotel ballroom in San Francisco would make preferable Police Officer candidates. I’ve noted in your continual listings of what you believe are your accomplishments and historical affiliations that you’ve never identified any service in the military, and I’m curious if you ever served? Since your age makes you of Viet Nam “Conflict” vintage I can’t help but wonder if you were one of those kids of an affluent family whose parents commonly made a monetary contribution to a politician to keep them out of the “Conflict” by getting them into an “institution of higher education” such as one of the local JC’s. Most individuals who ended up fighting in the Viet Nam “Conflict” lacked the economic wherewithal to buy their way out of it, a few individuals demonstrated the courage of their convictions and went to Canada, and then there were those who had the money to go to college which bought them a way out.
Most veterans have training and experience unlike anything else; they leave the service in good physical condition, have instruction in the safe handling and use of weapons, understand the chain of command, and many have had to learn appropriate conduct in dangerous and life threatening situations.
Anyone interested in seeing what influenced and “shaped” Mr. Long should go to the following website; you can read about the miraculous transformations that occurred in a hotel ballroom in San Francisco.
http://www.erhardseminarstraining.com/
It’s a good idea to proofread an article before submitting it, Ted.
“And with the new lines for supervisor we will soon loss a resident supervisor.”
*LOSE* a resident supervisor? The entire sentence is a train wreck.
To 4-mer, Why do you think you are better then those who have not served in the military? I may not agree with Mr. Long on some issues but he has been a public servant in various capacities for many years. I find your comment offensive.
Perhaps Ted would like to attend a monthly meeting of Sheriff’s Team of Active Retirees (STAR) to learn how the group contributes their extra time and energy to helping the Sheriff’s Dept. as extra eyes and ears in the Tahoe community. STARs are “only” citizens, but are available to help when emergencies (lost hikers, etc.) arise, as well a driving frequent patrols through parking lots and trail heads (car thefts), assisting people and giving directions when needed, helping the elderly………….and much more. On April 2nd members of Tahoe STAR will participate in Lisa Huard’s 10th annual Drug Store Project helping conduct 200-300 students through many scenarios while professionals teach them the dangers of drugs and alcohol. STARs can be seen at the Air Show and various other activities throughout the year. El Dorado County STAR team can be seen throughout. Come check them out.
AROD:
Nowhere in my comments did I say I was better than an individual that has not served in the military. I said that I find Mr. Long’s condescending reference to “military influence” insulting. If you wish to interpret my remarks in the manner in which you’ve described that is your choice.
Ted, you are right. Cop shops, fire departments and other para-military organizations attract military types because the military teaches how to manage large complex and dangerous incidents. We are not interested in your diversity of thought. We are interested in establishing effective command and taking control of the incident so as to minimize loss of life. Your thoughts on the matter, or anyones thoughts outside of the chain of command are uninteresting.
Its done this way because it works and saves lives.
If you cant work in that environment then leave.
IN RESPONSE TO 4-mer – USMC : I agree with Mr. Long. But most importantly, I disagree with you 4-mer. I see that you believe you and other marines make good police officers. I’d like to engage you in a debate on this subject, but this is not the place for it. To Mr. Long, thanks for your input. I’m only writing this to show my support of a person who questions the authority of police officers, or their conduct. Keep it up Mr. Long. I believe people like me, far out number the ex-marines who think of themselves as superior to other citizens.
Why not just blindly follow the military industrial complex chain of command? it’s worked so well for us all my life. Failure should not affect our obedience to authority, being wrong about everything shouldn’t change your mind.
Your thoughts on the matter, or anyones thoughts outside of the chain of command are uninteresting. (John)
John the danger in that statement lies with the assumption that there is never anything good to be learned from any other source but that which is directly involved and trained to be involved.
Surely you see value in input? Autonomous organizations are susceptible to corruption, it’s why we have a free press in America.
tahoe Pizza Eater:
Your comment that ex-marines believe themselves as superior to other citizens is YOUR assumption. Like I said to AROD, if you wish to interpret my remarks in the manner in which you’ve described that is your choice. And if you, tahoe Pizza Eater are bothered that I find offensive Mr. Long’s remark related to a strong military influence and inbreeding that is also your choice.
Dan, there have been some big seminal events in the history of U.S. emergency management. It sort of starts with Triangle Shirtwaste and goes through Hurricane Katrina. After action reports continue to point out the need for strong centralized command and the value of a regimented incident command structure. Free thinking scattershot approaches led to ineffective command and control of those incidents and cost lives money and property. The reason the military uses centralized command is because it works. Emergency managers adopted the system because it works. Look back at the Angora Fire. Remember how quickly an incident command system involving thousands of cops and firefighters was established? That is not an accident. Do you remember how seemlessly cops worked with firefighters to get people out of the way? So the idea that Long has a whole lot to add to that is not likely. In fact it is highly unlikely.
Do I value input? Yeah, getting input from professional logisticians, or dog handlers …sure. Input from a civil attorney? No.
And for those people who would assume that all former Marines are crazed, pro-war advocates, that assumption is also incorrect. I’m still trying to figure out how the baby boomers that lived through the Viet Nam era could have helped elect George Bush to a second term giving him the “capital” to send more American military men and women off to the Middle East. The concept of someone shooting at you to seriously maim or kill you is difficult to comprehend until you’ve experienced it. War should be a last resort and never a first.
And for those people who would assume that all former Marines are power-crazed pro-war advocates, that assumption is also incorrect. The concept of someone shooting at you to seriously maim or kill you is difficult to comprehend until you’ve experienced it. War should be a last resort and not a first choice.
Ted Long is a kook who just won’t go away. Isn’t there some place for guys like Long and Kubby to be embraced? Or is that place here at 96150?
4-mer…you appear to be the only one consistently pertinent to this thread. By the way, thank you for your service and sacrifice. Sadly, many in this country do not understand. Many in this thread are reacting, not reading.
It’s a discussion, sharing of ideas, education, not a forum to tar and feather.
Gotta maintain order somehow. The world is full of people who have certain skill sets. Military training provides many skills needed to accomplish what is necessary during crisis situations. Who do you want to help you when confronted by a situation you find untenable, someone with training and a plan, or a lawyer? :-)
Every time I see Ted Long as the author of some editorial I sorta cringe as I think he is one of the most corrupt and offensive clowns in the South Lake Tahoe community. Having dealt with him when he ran against Norma Santiago and LOST, and seen how he is so self serving and a liar, well now I just see his comments as bla bla bla.