Jenkins Wants Constables to Put Deputies on Leave, With Pay, During Investigation

By Robert Wilonsky Wed., May 18 2011 at 8:00 AM

Photo by Patrick Michels

From Patrick's multipart series "The D'oh Faces of the Dallas County Commissioners Court"

Patrick paid a visit to The Building Formerly Known as the Texas School Book Depository Friday, where Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins and commissioners John Wiley Price and Maureen Dickey fessed up: Looks like at least 25 deputy constables lied about serving papers, chiefly eviction notices. "Another black eye," said Dickey, referring to the results of the five-month internal audit that, using GPS data, revealed deputies from all five precincts weren't where they said they'd been -- out serving papers, doing their jobs.

Price wasn't about to take the blame, though: "We're not complicit." And that was all they were gonna say about it till a closed-door meeting Tuesday.

Late yesterday, we got further word: There's going to be another meeting Saturday morning at 8:30. This one will also be behind closed doors.

County spokesperson Maria Arita said that Jenkins and the county commissioners spent yesterday's sealed session going over "all of the evidentiary and pertinent materials and policies revolving around the disciplinary action being encouraged by Dallas County against deputy constables for allegedly falsifying sworn affidavits." She also said that between Friday and yesterday, more than a dozen deputy constables were given paperwork outlining the allegations made against them and the available evidence, as mandated by state law.

The accused deputies were given 48 hours to sign the docs -- which isn't an admission of guilt, the county reminds -- and return them to their respective constables.

Said Arita, the constables have been invited to Saturday's meeting, where they will be given "attorney-client privilege discussion about the audit." On Saturday they'll count up the number of deputies who've seen and signed the statements of complaint; the commissioners will then find out what the constables intend to do about their deputies during the investigation.

Said Arita, "Judge Jenkins has encouraged Constables from all five precincts to cooperate with the Commissioners Court by placing implicated employees on administrative leave with pay until the investigation is concluded."

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NealK

Maureen Dickey's face says it all: "Yes, Clay Jenkins is as stupid as he looks."

That picture looks like its from a stage play.

it's

Smarysd

They should do away with constables all together. Graft, corruption and ward politics.

Dallas Diner

Well, if the allegations against them are true, they were already being paid for doing nothing, so it's pretty much the same, isn't it?

Phelps

As I understand that statute, it only applies if there is a union agreement that dictates how discipline will be meeted out to the officers. Which begs the question -- why in the hell are we letting public employees unionize in Texas? The fact that these guys should be in jail rather than on leave for throwing people out of their homes without due process rather than "on paid leave" is a glaring example of why we shouldn't allow public unions. Hell, if FDR was against them, how can anyone support the idea?

Roger de Lacy, Sheriff, (Ret.)

Gentlemen, may I propose an alternate arrangement?

Dispose of your current miscreants, or I can do so for you if you prefer, and for the far more economical total annual sum of £467,545 sterling plus a lifetime subscription to Busty Babes of Archery, I myself shall rule your lands in their stead with the same rough justice to which you have long ago become accustomed.

Roger de Lacy

Sheriff (Ret.)NottinghamEngland

References tendered upon request

Bigballa0187

I find very strange that the County Judge and price are calling for Deputies to be put on leave and they have not been given due process and not charged with any crimes.But they allow Evans to keep 2 Deputies Sgt Holder and Lt Gulley in full uniform with gun and badge ,who have been indicted on felony charges of engageing in organize crime along withEvans Since Nov 2010.Sounds like the Commisoneer and the County Judge are taking part in payback. Why not go after them too

Willie

Hmm....I just have to wonder why so much having to do with Dallas County smacks of cronyism and incompetence. Hmmmm.......

So they get a paid vacation!

I.M Broke

Leave with pay?? Will the taxpayers get that money back if these constables are fired and prosecuted for a criminal activity? If there is a basis for an investigation,then there is an obvious colclution they can work out in a court of law. Taxpayers should not continue to carry the burden of criminal activity from taxpayer supported employees. Fire them and let them appeal.