Sheriff to cut six school resource officer jobs

[News Flash]

Sheriff to cut six school resource officer jobs

Sarasota County — Six school resource deputies have been reassigned as part of sweeping budget cut at the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office, as officials announced today that they will cut 60 total positions from the department.

The sheriff's office cut the six resource officer jobs out of its budget, and is now asking the school district to pay for them. Any changes would be effective next school year.

In addition to the resource deputies, the Sheriff’s Office has cut three sergeants, a major and eight positions in the jail.

All of the 60 employees were offered vacant positions at the sheriff's office. Sheriff Bill Balkwill says that the job cuts will save the agency as much as $1.8 million.

The sheriff said at a morning news conference that there were no cuts to the number of deputies patrolling Sarasota County, although the agency could face even leaner times in coming years.

“It’s serious,” Balkwill said. “It’s a difficult time for this agency, and I don’t think we’ve felt this type of impact before.”

Source

WHAT 3 SGTS WERE CUT?

Great. Im so glad I have to read the Herald Tribune to find out whats going on at the place I work. You are an idiot Balkwill! Please go away. Next time I need to know what is going on at work al just send an e-mail to the Herald Tribune and ask them. THANKS!!!!

It’s serious,” Balkwill said. “It’s a difficult time for this agency, and I don’t think we’ve felt this type of impact before.”

You got that right Bill,,,,the budget issues not withstanding......you are the biggest problem facing this agency....The citizens of Sarasota County have no idea just how ineffective a leader you are but they are starting to find out. You have surrounded yourself with "yes men" that will not say boo and basically castrated those others who try to get anything done..you've allowed your Chief Deputy to make moves behind your back and publicy criticize you to the public and employees with no fear of you taking any action.....
Your lack of leadership and indecisiveness have been a major problem here and will continue to be the #1 problem facing the SSO until the day you walk out the door. The next seven months can not go back fast enough.....
You will ,without a doubt ,be remembered as the worse Sheriff in Sarasota County History to date.....

Shut the "F" up Carolyn you sweat hog

So I guess that means they will only require 1 SGT and the idiot LT. So where will the other two knucklehead supervisors go? I don't think RB or TD have ever ran a squad.

Can Lt. Anus handle losing them and maybe having to work for a change. He fits nice and snug under BB's desk. What will he do with his day after BB leaves?

Sorry Tim E. or is this Paul M. if the truth hurts..... Only a C**KSUCKER who has made out over the last 8 years would defend the way the sheriff has run the agency... Enjoy your last few months in your cushy positions boys!!! Hopefully it will not take too long for you to acclimate yourselves to doing some police work for a change, or for the first time in your careers...If not I am sure Wal Mart needs greeters now F*** OFF....

All the media was at the press conference, but each spin is different. The reporters from the Venice Gondolier and Channel 7 seem to have difficulty in spelling.

1) HERALD-TRIBUNE:

Sheriff to cut six school resource officers

Anthony Cormier

SARASOTA COUNTY — Six school resource deputies have been reassigned as part of sweeping budget cut at the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office, as officials announced today that they will cut 60 total positions from the department.

The sheriff's office cut the six resource officer jobs out of its budget, and is now asking the school district to pay for them. Any changes would be effective next school year.

In addition to the resource deputies, the Sheriff’s Office has cut three sergeants, a major and eight positions in the jail.

All of the 60 employees were offered vacant positions at the sheriff's office. Sheriff Bill Balkwill says that the job cuts will save the agency as much as $1.8 million.

The sheriff said at a morning news conference that there were no cuts to the number of deputies patrolling Sarasota County, although the agency could face even leaner times in coming years.

“It’s serious,” Balkwill said. “It’s a difficult time for this agency, and I don’t think we’ve felt this type of impact before.”


2) VENICE GONDOLIER:

Sarasota sheriff announces cuts

Sarasota County Sheriff Bill Balkwell announced Tuesday that 21 law enforcement officers and eight road gang correction officers have been cut from his budget. The cuts will take effect almost immediately.

Balkwell, who couldn't say if there are any additional cuts planned, promised to review these changes with the next elected sheriff in January.

Balkwell blamed the heavy cuts on voters approving amendment one that gave an estimated $240 tax refund back to many Florida residents.

The Tuesday announcement came after the sheriff made a round of cuts two weeks ago which included 31 positions — removing School Resource Officers from all elementary schools. Cuts also included all victims' advocates that worked with grieving families following a child's death, worked with the elderly or anyone suffering after a shooting, overdoes, accident, etc. while the police were investigating or doing other work with the family or individual.

Balkwell said he hopes to resurrect a volunteer base of victims' advocates to help jump start that program again.

Balkwell said he will also examine the "take-home car" policy that allowed deputies to drive their cars home.

Balkwell also said he would examine the helicopter and several other Sheriff's speciality vehicles, however, since more than 80 percent of the Sheriff's budget is made up of salaries, he said the large cuts had to be made in personnel. Balkwell did not say if any of the salaries for non-union employees would be frozen to help save jobs. He said many laid off employees have been offered jobs at the jail or in the communications/dispatch center.


3) WWSB - CHANNEL 7:

More positions cut by sheriff's office

SARASOTA COUNTY - More budget cuts were announced for the Sarasota County Sheirff's Office.

Sheriff Bill Balkwill made the announcement during a news conference Tuesday morning.

The sheriff's office is cutting another 29 positions, including three captains. Six school resource officers will also be cut.

This is the latest wave of layoffs at the sheriff's office. A few weeks ago, it announced the elimination of 31 civilian positions.

The sheriff's office is hoping to trim almost two million dollars from its budget.

Due to the passage of Amendment 1 on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, and the current
economic downturn the County Commissioners have asked the Sarasota County
Sheriff’s Office to cut its current budget by 1.8 million dollars and to reduce the overall
budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
In response to these requests, the Sheriff’s Office is in the process of a reduction in
force, and the second position reductions have been made in sworn and certified law
enforcement. A total of 29 positions were eliminated.
The following sworn and certified law enforcement positions were eliminated:
Accreditation Managers (2) Youth Services Detectives (6)
Recruiter Youth Services Sergeant
Agricultural Deputy Patrol Floater Sergeants (3)
Background Investigator District Desk Officers (2)
Police Athletic League Deputies (2) Administrative Division Major
Crime Stoppers Coordinator Road Gang (8)
All affected sworn and certified law enforcement personnel have accepted vacant
positions within the agency.

Its all smoke and mirrors........There are thankfully no layoffs....He is just moving people around....He is filling lower paying jail and civilian positions.....Some of the time at least....I would be curious how many civilians actually got raises,,,,,,,,,facts are facts he is not going to do anything to impact his buddies and they are the ones making the $$$$$....All anyone has to do is really take some time to sit down and look at what he is doing...He could have just as easily demoted/reassigned his buds who are the Specialty Sgts and the PIO along with Frank Carroll and a few retirees he hired back....This would have saved the PSAs and Victims Advocates and maybe a few more......Like I said he isn't going to touch the inner circle and is just stalling until he can get out the door....