LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
I read Mr. Stu Giles' letter to the editor regarding speeding by deputies printed in the Calvert Recorder on January 6 with great interest as the Sheriff of Calvert County. I'm glad Mr. Giles indicated these acts were by "some deputies" and not a pervasive attitude within the Sheriff's Office. I do not doubt that there are a few deputies that have exceeded the speed limit when not necessary and I can assure all the citizens that this activity is not condoned by me or my administration.
Mr. Giles urged citizens to write down dates, times, locations, and tag numbers of deputies observed doing such illegal activities as speeding. I also urge citizens to report such behavior; but, I ask that you not hold the information until some later time, but report it to the Sheriff's Office immediately. The Administration of the Sheriff's Office takes a dim view of this type of activity and routinely investigates complaints of speeding by our deputies. In fact, the incident where Mr. Giles indicates he spoke to me directly was investigated and the deputy disciplined.
It is a matter of routine that I or one of the senior administrators brings up speeding by deputies at our staff meetings and reiterates that this behavior is unacceptable. We have recently placed a readily identifiable number in the upper right rear window on each agency vehicle so the public can easily identify a vehicle should there be a need. We are also only a few short months from implementing a computerized tracking system in vehicles that can track the location of the vehicle, the distance travelled by the vehicle and thus the speed of the vehicle. This technology will also aid when receiving complaints from citizens of speeding deputies.
Finally, I want to point out, as did Mr. Giles, that most of our deputies do not participate in this type activity. In fact, I would suggest there are very few that are behaving in this manner. Our deputies risk their lives daily to handle the public safety needs of our citizens and most reports from the public are positive.
Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans
Prince Frederick