Challenges Mount for Station Jailers — Are They Being Set Up to Fail?

Incoming: Custody Assistant Class #110 graduated on February 2. Congratulations to them on their accomplishments. As of this writing, we are waiting for approval of two additional classes. If approved, they are scheduled to begin March 4 and May 20. 

Questions regarding contracts are coming up as we enter the final year of our current agreement. The contract does not expire until March 2025. However, we’ll be scheduling negotiations dates toward the later part of this year. Between now and then, I will make time for briefings, take questions, dispel rumors and keep you informed as best as I can. This will include emails going out to update and inform members, so please make sure PPOA has your current mailing and email addresses.

Light duties and IODs are commonplace in our line of work. In custody, the matter is generally covered by overtime or CARP behind the absent employee. At a station jail, the same scenario plays out a bit differently. Yes, the absent item is covered by the other jailers. But what happens when two or three jailers are out simultaneously? Mix in vacation and non-jail-trained items, and now you have a serious cluster. Now, the oncoming jailer has to do the work that was not done by the previous shift or the 16 hours prior. It creates what can be described as an unreasonable workload with no relief. Factor in Title walks every 27–28 minutes, and you have to ask, are we setting them up for failure?

There is no backfill behind the IOD items. I would suggest a relief policy. Either have one jail-trained sworn item to fill in or if you’re down two or more items, the number one item on the transfer list and loan them to that station.

This would have been easier prior to our current staffing issue, as injuries, retirements and now specialized programs soak up line personnel in custody. There is a proposal for a three-year plan to incorporate more jailers into the patrol division, but that has to be approved.

So, what happens in the meantime? Our jailers need help. Don’t wait until the next medical emergency or dead body and simply relieve the jailer, issue days off or threaten termination without speaking to the real problem. Jailer matrons are still an item, but can you hire them if you wanted? And does anyone want to do it?

When these city contracts come up, there should be a request for more jailers included. Your booking stats, increased paperwork and Title 15 walk mandate should be enough to justify the requests. Every city council member wants a safer city. Every civil rights group wants fair and proper treatment. They go hand in hand with the station jails.

On Christmas Day, we lost Custody Assistant Arturo Guzman. He was assigned to IRC and leaves behind his wife and two children. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at his unit. May you all be comforted throughout this time of loss.

One important reminder for all of you: Please check on yourself and check on those around you. Be present and know that you are important in life. Be safe.