Deputies should take cars home, but we need a policy

TO THE EDITOR:

In a recent article outlining former sheriff candidate Kenny Taylor?s campaign, he shunned the practice of deputies taking home their department vehicles. This was also a topic of discussion in a letter to the editor from Mr. Winston Jones.

I must say I understand where they are coming from. Perhaps the gross abuse of the practice by some members of the Warren County Sheriff?s Department contributes to their stance. Then again, the concept of allowing law enforcement officers to take home their vehicles is an all too important one. This is not done because of simple convenience, contrary to some people?s beliefs.

Police officers, deputies, and troopers take home their vehicles for many reasons. One of the main reasons is to be in a better position when emergencies arise. For example, a standoff occurs when deputies try to serve a felony warrant in the Morrison area. Deputy Dawg, who receives a request for backup when he would normally be off duty, happens to live relatively close to the scene and with his department vehicle sitting in the driveway, he can respond immediately to the backup request. Without the advantage of having his car at home, he would have to drive all the way back to the sheriff?s department in McMinnville to obtain his vehicle before responding to the scene, wasting precious time. In addition, if things get really busy, off-duty personnel can be called to respond to nearby calls for service or crimes.

If the preceding arguments are not convincing enough, why not consider a few other advantages of take-home cars. As soon as an officer leaves his house (given he is in department jurisdiction), the officer can go in service and take any calls that may come in near him or her, in addition to establishing a higher profile of patrol. More so, even if the vehicles are sitting in driveways, they add an extra element of protection and deterrence to the area.

All the above considered, officers should be banned from driving halfway across the county on personal business (i.e. taking a child to school, paying a bill, seeing a friend, etc.). Not only is such abuse fiscally irresponsible, but it brings about liability issues as well. Vehicles should be used for OFFICIAL use only, and officers should always be in uniform while driving their department vehicle. Driving around in your cut-off shorts and T-shirt is no way to represent your city, county or state. Instead of jumping the gun and calling for the abolishment of the very important take-home car program, let us demand an official policy be put in place and enforced governing the practice.

Dustin R. Hillis

Bone Cave Road

Rock Island