A Closer Look at One Sheriff's Decision to Suspend the Take Home Car Policy
By Diana Fairbanks
Tuesday, August 04, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.
Read more: Local, Economy, Sheriff, Leelanau, Patrol Cars, Fact Finder, Diana Fairbanks, Fact Finder
Many organizations, businesses, even families are making cuts and making changes trying to make ends meet. That includes law enforcement. In a previous Fact Finder Report we told you about the State Police mileage restrictions. That prompted one viewer to write asking about her local sheriff's office. Deputies there are allowed to take patrol cars home. She thinks it's a waste of tax payer's money, but officials say it's necessary for deputies to respond quickly to emergencies and deter crime.
Many agencies are weighing these very concerns. In fact one northern Michigan sheriff's office recently changed its policy.
We take a closer look at why in tonight's Fact Finder Report.
For years deputies in Leelanau County have started and ended their work day not from the sheriff's office, but from home. Now that is changing.
The sheriff's office recently suspended its take home car policy. The reason? The cost.
Sheriff Mike Oltersdorf says "we've been asked by the board of commissioners to look at our operational costs and cut where we could."
So how much will it save each year?
Sheriff Oltersdorf says, "at the minimum it's saving the taxpayers of Leelanau County $17,000 plus. It's not a great cost, but every little bit helps in these hard economic times."
While some in the county support the move as a cost cutting measure, others question it. Asking what it will mean for their safety, and officers response times if deputies don't have their cars with them.
The sheriff says he can see that point of view, but historically it hasn't been an issue.
Sheriff Oltersdorf says, "in an emergency situation certainly it would be beneficial to have those cars at home. In the last several years we haven't had to mobilize officers from their homes because we do have adequate staffing levels as well as adjacent law enforcement agencies to help in an emergency. I speak for all law enforcement officers everywhere and if there is a life or death situation and dispatch would call that officer at home I know they would respond accordingly."
Another concern has been raised by some officers themselves, unhappy with the change, but the sheriff says there are bigger issues at hand.
Sheriff Oltersdorf says, "Sometimes there's a conflict of what's best for employees and what's best for taxpayers. In this case without a doubt it's good for the employees to have a take home car, but there's a cost associated with that and for the time being we're just not going to allow it anymore."
Leelanau sheriff's office is actually the last law enforcement agency in that county to suspend the take home car policy, behind tribal and state police.
In fact out of a dozen northern Michigan counties, only two, Grand Traverse and Benzie Counties allow deputies to take their cars home.
It's a trend playing out across the nation.
Sheriff Oltersdorf says, "It's a pretty common practice for municipalities to be addressing economic issues and the take home police car concept seems to be the first thing they are withdrawing."
And while Leelanau County may be the most recent, the change there may not be permanent.
Sheriff Oltersdorf says, "We are a progressive and innovative agency, and just because we suspended it indefinitely for the time being because of our economy doesn't mean that we won't restructure the program in a different program later on."
So what do you think about this? Should deputies be allowed to take their patrol cars home? Is it worth the cost in response time and deterring crime?
Leave your comments below.
