Small Town News

Officers address business communitys concerns

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Concerned that alleged law enforcement tactics might be having an adverse impact on tourism in Plumas County, the Quincy Downtown Business Association invited California Highway Patrol Commander Paul Davis and Sheriff Greg Hagwood to speak at its June 24 meeting.

Both law enforcement officers appeared comfortable and anxious to answer questions before a group of approximately 30 business owners and community leaders, including Supervisor Lori Simpson.

Davis was first asked about current CHP staffing levels throughout the county. He began his response with a historical perspective, explaining that over the last couple of decades, CHP positions throughout the state were gradually getting cut, bringing patrol officer levels to the equivalent of what the statewide staffing was in 1970.

He went on to explain that a few years ago Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made the commitment to add back 500 positions. His and the CHP commissioner's primary interest with the new hires was to provide 24-hour patrol to those areas, mostly rural, throughout the state where that extended coverage didn't exist.

For Plumas County, Davis said, the action initiated the relatively recent addition of five new patrol positions to the existing 19 staffers. He can now provide 24/7 coverage with at least one person in each of the county's major geographical areas.

Hagwood took the opportunity to clarify the roles in enforcing the laws tasked to the two agencies. The sheriff's office was responsible for enforcing the law as it pertains to criminal and civil actions like burglaries, vandalism, assaults and "other types of general law enforcement," he explained. The CHP, Hagwood told the attentive crowd, dealt with traffic issues and the safety of the motoring public. "We're not responsible for traffic violations. Although we have the authority, it's something we are not out policing. However, we will enforce those laws when necessary, such as speeding or DUI infractions," he said.

Davis elaborated on that point to clarify a misunderstanding his department often hears, that the CHP was only responsible for traffic safety on state highways. He said his department is responsible for patrolling all county roads with the exception of those in incorporated areas such as Portola.

Both Hagwood and Davis were quick to agree that each serves as backup to the other's department for the obvious, albeit unknown, safety issues any given stop or response can present.

Some members of the business group expressed their concerns about whether the attitudes and demeanor of some of the CHP officers and sheriff's deputies -- as replayed extensively in this paper's Letters to the Editor section -- could be having a negative impact on tourism and potential future residents looking to relocate.

One businesswoman said she has heard on a number of occasions firsthand from visitors saying their experience here with law enforcement personnel left them with enough of a bad taste to keep them from ever wanting to return -- for any reason.

Davis and Hagwood made it abundantly clear they each spend a great deal of time talking about the importance of being a part of the community and being a consummate professional when making stops or dealing with the public, regardless of whether the people involved are locals or visitors.

Hagwood made the point that what a deputy technically can do, at times can be different from what a deputy should do. "The balance of enforcing the laws while cultivating a sense of community can be very challenging at times," he said.

The sheriff went on to explain that it is a little different for him -- and perhaps a bit easier than for the CHP commander -- to engage his deputies in the community given, he said, his budget is directly tied to the general fund, which is directly tied to the success or failure of local businesses.

Does every member of his staff understand the importance of that added responsibility in dealing with the public regardless of whether they are local or visitors? "No, unfortunately, not necessarily all of them, and for me, that's not acceptable," said Hagwood.

The CHP commander said he spends a good deal of time in his training room regularly addressing the issue of community involvement and being a part of the community. Davis reminded the crowd that it wasn't that many years ago when CHP officers waited on a long list to transfer to places like Quincy where they wanted to finish their career and retire.

"It's a little different now; about 10 of our 25 officers are brand new to this area, and in some cases right out of the academy. But of that total, my staff combined has around 40 school-age children and many of their parents, our officers, are actively involved in coaching Little League and other community things," he said. Many want to stay and finish their careers here "so in a few years Quincy will again lock up with fewer openings (and more of an established CHP population)," he said.

Davis also said it is very common for his officers to share comments with one-an-other -- good and bad -- that they hear from their respective contacts in the community regarding another officer's conduct while on the job. "We are aware of some of the animosity that exists out there, and our guys talk a great deal amongst themselves about the appropriate on-duty and off-duty conduct and image we portray."

The commander said he follows up on every complaint his office receives. He said most of the time it's second-and third-hand information, adding that about 90 percent of the time he finds that the individual whose name was associated with an alleged incident or stop didn't have a problem with his staff or department. However, continues to impress upon his officers that "one bad stop takes 50 good stops to correct."



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© 2011 The Chester Progressive Chester, California. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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