Sheriff David Zylak Says He Can Deliver More Bang for the Buck
To the Editor:
Recently there has been much discussion from the Board of County Commissioners about the creation of a county police force. Although I was not in the county when this was first discussed at the May 3^rd budget workshop, I did have an opportunity to be heard on some of the issues during a local radio talk show on May 10^th.
There are many issues surrounding the creation of a county police force in addition to maintaining a Sheriff’s Office. In my opinion, the first and foremost issue is, is it unnecessary. The Sheriff’s Office is doing an excellent job providing law enforcement services to the citizens of St. Mary’s County and there is truly no good reason to create a county police department. Secondly, the citizens should be outraged that some of the Commissioners would even suggest taking away your Right to elect the chief law enforcement officer of the county. If a Sheriff is doing a good job, he/she should be re-elected and if not, then the voters can speak by not re-electing him/her. A police chief would serve at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners who would make the selection without the voice of the citizens.
It has been suggested a police chief would be less political and I say he/she would be 5 times as political. There are currently six (6) police departments in the State of Maryland and all are in counties with charter government and the chief answers to a county executive. There are no police forces in counties with a commissioner form of government. I would hate to be a police chief who answered to five (5) bosses.
Is this cost effective? There is absolutely no way that a police force could be created for less cost or even equal cost to what the citizens are paying for law enforcement now. There would be a substantial increase in cost by the time you factor in a location to house a police department in addition to a Sheriff’s Office, new decaling of vehicles, switching of uniforms, costs of hiring (to include background investigations) and increase liability to the county. If there is money to create a police force, why not put it towards increasing manpower at the Sheriff’s Office, or creating upward mobility, or replacing the aging fleet?
In 2001, when Calvert County considered a similar action the Maryland Office of the Attorney General issued an opinion, part of which is, "The creation of a county police force does not abridge the common law and statutory duties of the Sheriff. Thus the county would experience the cost of two law enforcement agencies. While local officials are vested with a reasonable degree of discretion in funding state constitutional officers, county officials may not enact a budget which impedes the constitutional officer from discharging the duties of the office." St. Mary’s County is no different in so much as the Sheriff’s Office would still need to be funded.
Salaries of the command level positions have been openly criticized by some commissioners, yet these salaries were a product of a salary study done by the Singer Group several years ago, by the last Board. The salaries of the command positions as well as most others, excluding the lower ranks, are competitive with the Maryland State Police as well as surrounding jurisdictions.
The Sheriff’s Office budget has increased over the years, but over 80% of the increases are driven by such things as merit increases, increased health care cost and increased retirement costs, which are uncontrolled by any Sheriff. Even with the increase in retirement contributions, the Sheriff’s Office Pension System is inferior to surrounding jurisdictions and continues to be a retention issue. In Fiscal Year 1999 the Sheriff’s Office "actual" budget was $11,547,425 and the "actual" budget in Fiscal Year 2003 was $15,211,913 an increase of 32% over 5 years which is an average 6% per year. This will be the seventh budget year that the Office of Sheriff has not seen an increase in the number of sworn deputies or correctional officers, yet population and demand for services continue to increase. I do not want to decrease the level of service provided by your Sheriff’s Office as I believe every task we perform is important to the safety and quality of life we all enjoy in St. Mary’s County.
If the Board of County Commissioners wants a "police services study", I say stop talking about it and let’s do it. I’ve contacted the International Chief’s of Police (IACP) who do offer such a service and I have passed that information on to Commissioner McKay. I am confident the services of the Sheriff’s Office provide the best bang for the buck to the citizens and I look forward to a study. Public Safety is the responsibility of everyone, not the Board of County Commissioners, but if there is a problem in law enforcement the buck stops with me, your Sheriff.
I would ask every citizen to join me in saying "NO" to a county police force. If you would like to discuss this issue, or any issue, please do not hesitate to contact me at (301) 475-4200 x1910 or by e-mail on our website at www.firstsheriff.com.
David D. Zylak
Sheriff
St. Mary’s County, Maryland