SILVER STAR MARCH 2021 - The Women Behind the Badge | Finding a Voice in Cancel Culture - Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego ...

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SILVER STAR MARCH 2021 - The Women Behind the Badge | Finding a Voice in Cancel Culture - Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego ...
SILVER STAR
         DEPUTY SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY

                                                                                      MARCH 2021

INSIDE         The Women Behind the Badge   |   Finding a Voice in Cancel Culture     The Strength
                                                                                    Behind the Badge
SILVER STAR MARCH 2021 - The Women Behind the Badge | Finding a Voice in Cancel Culture - Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego ...
Law Enforcement
       Officers Need.
                  Automobile & Motorcycle Accidents
         Bodily Injury • Worker’s Compensation • Death Claims
                    Retirement Law • On & Off Duty
r Outstanding History of Success for Our Clients Includes:
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3,000,000 verdict for medical malpractice
 000,000 recovery for a workplace injury involving negligent
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 700,000 verdict for a propane explosion
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 500,000 recovery for a motor vehicle accident
 250,000 recovery for a fire aboard a ship
 200,000 recovery for a motor vehicle accident
 800,000 recovery forAutomobile
                       a fall from&aMotorcycle
                                      skylight in  an unsafe work environme
                                               Accidents
 750,000 recovery
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          If you've been injured on or off the job or in a vehicular accident, you may have more
          rights than you think. Call the Law Offices of Scott A. O'Mara to make sure you get quality
e also have been successful in litigation regarding a police officer’s
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                                                  1-800-LAW-1199
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                of up to $50,000 or double the value of the fraud, whichever is greater, or by both imprisonment and fine.
SILVER STAR MARCH 2021 - The Women Behind the Badge | Finding a Voice in Cancel Culture - Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego ...
IN PICTURES
                   BLACK HISTORY MONTH
                 Thank you to these deputies for
              sharing their inspiring stories with
                   the DSA during Black History
                     Month. To learn more about
                them and their experience in law
              enforcement, please visit the DSA’s
                          social media channels.
DSA

                                                     Silver Star   ⭑ March 2021 1
SILVER STAR MARCH 2021 - The Women Behind the Badge | Finding a Voice in Cancel Culture - Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego ...
SILVER STAR MARCH 2021 - The Women Behind the Badge | Finding a Voice in Cancel Culture - Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego ...
MAR
                                                                    DEPUTY SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

VOL 37 NO 3

           OFFICE STAFF
 Rachel Parrott - Chief Admin Officer                                                      Vice President       Secretary/Treasurer         Director
                                                                       President
     Louisa Hicks - Bookkeeper                                      David Leonhardi       Raymond Castillo       Danielle Benjamin         Eric Garcia
    Yvonne Waller - Receptionist
 Monique Wengeler - Admin Assistant

            DSA STORE
   Chris Hennessey - Store Manager
    Pauline Sullivan - Seamstress

        SILVER STAR EDITOR
            Alex Heckman
         aheckman@dsasd.org
                                                            Director               Director              Director                Director              Director
                                                          Ashley Lewis           Dawn Morabe           Derek Sanders            Cliff Rinder       Robert Shawcroft
 Deadline for submitting an                     Fern Steiner, Labor Counsel | Bobbitt, Pinckard & Fields, A.P.C., Legal Counsel       | John Wainio, Political Consultant
 article is the 10 t h of the month

                                                                                                                                 reports
 prior to publication. All copy must
 be submit ted with the name of
 author, work location, and phone
 number. Please e-mail submissions

                                                                                                                                 5         President’s Report
 to aheckman@dsasd.org.

             DSA MISSION
 The promotion of professionalism
 in law enforcement by providing
                                                                                                                                 10        Director’s Report
                                                                                                                                 12        CAO Report
 service to the community, working
 with the Department and County
 to represent deputy sheriffs of all
 ranks in negotiating and protection
 of their rights.
                                                                                                                                 14        Political Action Report
              VALUES                                                                                                             21        Chaplain Connection
   Honesty, Integrity, Dedication,
      Accountability, Respect,
   Compassion, Courage and Trust
                                                                                                                                 22        Ten 7

 The views, expressions, or opinions
 of those writing for the Silver Star do
 not necessarily express the opinions
                                           features                                                                                            departments
 or views of the DSA, the Publications                                                                                                         DSA in Pictures                1

                                              11 Ammo & Firearms Shortage
 Staff, or any person or agency of the
 County of San Diego. The Silver Star’s
 editorial policy is to allow members                                                                                                          DSA News                       6
 to express their individual opinions
                                                                                                                                               Station Reps                   6
                                              15 Finding Our Cop Voice in
 and concerns within the necessary
 considerations of legality and space.
                                                                                                                                               DSA Dates                      7
                                                        Cancel Culture
 Submissions that are racist, sex-
 ist, or unnecessarily inflammatory

                                                                                                                                               Minutes                        24
 or offensive will not be published.

                                              16 Voices Behind the Star
 The Silver Star will not publish any
 article which contains inappropri-
 ate content as deemed by the editor,                                                                                                          Wellness Directory 28
 staff of the DSA, and/or the Board
 of Directors. The Silver Star may not
 be used to air personal grievances or
                                                        The women of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department                                        Classified Ads                 29
                                                                                                                                               Announcements                  30
 engage in a debate with an individual,
 unless it directly relates to the DSA
 membership as a whole.

   Silver Star is the official monthly
                                                                                                                              ON THE COVER:

                                           SILVER STAR
  publication of the Deputy Sheriffs’
  Association of San Diego County                                                                                             More than 100 women grace our March cover in honor
        13881 Danielson Street                                                                                                of Women’s History Month. Special thanks to everyone
        Poway, CA 92064-6891
      Mailstop N241 (Attn: DSA)
                                                                                                                                                                              ⭑
                                                                                                                              who submitted a photo for inclusion in this issue.

           (858) 486-9009 or               Silver Star (ISSN 1539-9982) is published monthly by the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of San Diego County at their headquarters, 13881
             (800) 266-5950                Danielson Street, Poway, California 92064-6891. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without the written permission of the
          Fax (858) 486-8318               editor. © Copyright - Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of San Diego County. All rights reserved. Periodicals Postage Paid at San Diego, CA.
            www.dsasd.org                  POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS.

                                                                                                                                                     Silver Star   ⭑ March 2021 3
SILVER STAR MARCH 2021 - The Women Behind the Badge | Finding a Voice in Cancel Culture - Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego ...
DSA STATION REPS NEEDED!
                              REPRESENT THE DEPUTIES ON YOUR TEAM
                    Station representatives are essential to the mission and the efficiency of the
                             Association. At least 1 representative per team is needed.

                                     What does a DSA station rep do?
                  Relay information from DSA meetings to the DSA members on your team and work location
                                                Provide input on command requests
                                      Post DSA event + program flyers at your work location
                     Help brainstorm ideas for social events, wellness events, community + public relations
                 Write a station report for the Silver Star or provide content for the DSA's social media channels

                              Requirements:                                     What's In It for You:
                  Current DSA member in good standing                Serve your fellow deputies
                  Attend virtual or in-person member                 First to know important association information
                  meetings on the second & fourth Thursdays          Up to $150 in gift cards to the DSA Store
                  of each month                                      depending on participation

      FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT DANIELLE BENJAMIN
                                          DBENJAMIN@DSASD.ORG
                              www.dsasd.org/station-rep-program

4 Silver Star   ⭑March 2021
SILVER STAR MARCH 2021 - The Women Behind the Badge | Finding a Voice in Cancel Culture - Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego ...
HOW TO REACH THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS                                            PRESIDENT’S REPORT
       President
    David Leonhardi
                                                              DAVID LEONHARDI
    (619) 206-1605
 DLeonhardi@dsasd.org

          ◄►

    Vice President
   Raymond Castillo
   (619) 265-6381           T    hroughout the past several months, you may have
                                 heard chatter or read in the meeting minutes
                            about the DSA exploring the idea of purchasing and
                                                                                         statements, a building inspection report, an appraisal,
                                                                                         and an inventory summary. We are consulting with
                                                                                         our attorneys to ensure we are following all applicable
  RCastillo@dsasd.org       operating the William B. Kolender Sheriff ’s Museum          laws, including our organization’s bylaws. Once the
                            in Old Town. The DSA has, in fact, been exploring            board considers all of the information, they will give
          ◄►                the option of purchasing the museum as an additional         me direction on how to proceed.
                            benefit to our membership. No decisions have been
  Secretary/Treasurer       made about whether we will ultimately attempt to             If the DSA board decides to move forward and
   Danielle Benjamin        purchase the museum, and we don’t know whether               the DSA ultimately purchases the museum, there
    (619) 694-8682          an agreement can be reached, but a decision may be           are several potential benefits to our organization
                            coming from your board in the next couple months.            and individual members. Some people may view a
 DBenjamin@dsasd.org
                            I thought this would be a good time to provide some          purchase of the museum as an investment. While I
                            insight, perspective, and perhaps a glimpse into future      am not an expert in real estate (and won’t pretend to
          ◄►                possibilities.                                               be), many believe owning a building in the middle
                                                                                         of a tourist hub like Old Town San Diego is a great
   Director Eric Garcia     Let me start by explaining that the decision to move         investment regardless of the business operations. I
    (619) 504-2512          forward with an idea like this will fall upon each of        believe there is immense potential for the DSA to
   EGarcia@dsasd.org        the DSA’s board of directors, and they have much to          make the museum into an asset for all of us. I envision
                            consider. I am an advocate and am strongly in favor          a place where we can organize field trips for school
                            of moving forward because I believe there is amazing         age children to come learn about the history of our
          ◄►                potential and future benefit to our members and to the       department and the positive things law enforcement
                            DSA as a whole. A decision by our board to embark on         does for the community. I believe it will be a great
  Director Ashley Lewis     this venture will undoubtedly result in many changes         place for us to host events, heighten awareness of the
     (619) 997-9217         and additional duties. It will take a team effort to be      things we do, and improve public relations with our
   ALewis@dsasd.org         successful. Part of the reason I support this endeavor       communities. I also envision the museum as a place
                            is because I strongly believe in the ability of our staff,   where our members can bring their families to learn
          ◄►                led by our CAO Rachel Parrott, to create something           about our history at no cost. We have many ideas to
                            very special at the museum.                                  build upon the success of the museum, while also
 Director Dawn Morabe                                                                    making it our own and turning it into something we
    (760) 805-2104          Currently, the Sheriff ’s Museum is owned and                can all take pride in.
  DMorabe@dsasd.org         operated by the Honorary Deputy Sheriffs’ Association
                            (HDSA). The HDSA has done a great job creating               I do, however, want to make clear that this is a very
                            and maintaining the museum, which has become a               big decision that each individual director will need to
          ◄►                popular attraction for visitors in Old Town. The HDSA        consider carefully. I have faith that each director will
                            is a great organization; they have been a wonderful          consider the information with an open mind and will
   Director Cliff Rinder    resource to the department and deputies by providing         ultimately cast the vote they feel is most appropriate.
    (619) 857-5891          assistance to ensure our folks have all of the equipment     As I said before, I am an advocate for this venture. I
   CRinder@dsasd.org        they need. The members of the HDSA are citizens who          hope the DSA can embark on this journey, and that
                            care about us, our profession, and making sure we            the board decides to make that possible.
          ◄►                have the tools we need to do our jobs well. But HDSA
                            members are not deputy sheriffs. They have been              Having said that, I also mentioned above that this
 Director Derek Sanders     recording and preserving Sheriff ’s Department history       venture will take a team effort. If you were not aware,
                            simply because they see the importance and value in          the DSA president only votes in a tie. I have committed
     (858) 361-0994
                            doing so. I believe it’s our responsibility as deputies to   to our board members that I will not break a tie on this
  DSanders@dsasd.org                                                                     issue with a “yes” vote. If our board is divided 4 to 4,
                            do those things, which is why I see the DSA as a natural
                            fit to own and operate a museum honoring our past.           we will not proceed. We will all need to work together
          ◄►                                                                             to make this a success, and I want to make decisions
                            I want to ensure our membership that the DSA board           that will bring our board together, rather than divide
Director Robert Shawcroft   is not taking this decision lightly. We’ve already had       us. We will certainly update you on our decisions
     (619) 933-9105         several discussions, and more are forthcoming. Each          moving forward and we welcome your input as well.
 RShawcroft@dsasd.org       of our directors has been provided with well over 100
                            pages of information to review, including profit and loss
                                                                                         I look forward to hearing from you!
                                                                                                                               ⭑
                                                                                                                      Silver Star   ⭑ March 2021 5
SILVER STAR MARCH 2021 - The Women Behind the Badge | Finding a Voice in Cancel Culture - Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego ...
4S Ranch
                             Spencer Hildreth
                                                     news                                 DSA | DEPARTMENT | COUNTY | INDUSTRY

                               CAC WET Team                                                   2021 Executive Board
                              Jared Birrenkott                                                President: David Leonhardi
                                  El Cajon Courts                                             Vice President: Raymond Castillo

                                                    2021
                                      Mark Bryan                                              Secretary/Treasurer: Danielle Benjamin
                                   Randy Gulihur
                                                    DSA Executive                             2021 Commitee Assignments:
                         Emergency Services
                                                    Board, Committee
                                 Fred Duey                                                    Budget/Finance: Danielle Benjamin
                                                    Assignments &
                                                    Appointments                              Bylaws & Standing Rules: Dawn Morabe
S TAT I O N R E P S

                                     GCCCD
                              Shannon Justice                                                 Charitable Donations: Derek Sanders
                                                                                              Insurance: Derek Sanders
                                       Lakeside
                                                                                              Legal Defense: Raymond Castillo
                                    Shain Stoner
                                                                                              Meet & Discuss/Confer: Raymond Castillo
                                     Las Colinas                                              Member Events: Ashley Lewis & Cliff Rinder
                                                    The President is an ex-officio
                                   Scott Johnson    member of all committees per
                                                    Article V, Section 6 of the bylaws.
                                                                                              Membership: Eric Garcia
                                    Lemon Grove                                               Negotiations: Raymond Castillo
                                   Aaron Montan                                               Political Action: David Leonhardi
                                            NTF                                               Scholarship: Ashley Lewis
                                   Frank Haskell                                              Sickness & Distress: Cliff Rinder

                                       Poway
                              Marshall Abbott                                                 2021 Appointments:
                     Prisoner Transportation                                                  Awards Committee: Derek Sanders
                                Matt Velarde                                                  California Peace Officer Memorial Foundation:
                                                                                              Danielle Benjamin
                           Rancho San Diego                                                   Court Services Bureau Policy & Procedures:
                               Corey McCoy                                                    Danielle Benjamin

                                Ridgehaven                                                    Department Uniform Committee: Robert
                                                                                              Shawcroft
                          Matthew Carpenter
                                                                                              Detentions Policy & Procedures: Robert Shawcroft
                                        SDCJ                                                  PORAC Director-at-Large: Eric Garcia
                             Patrick McAnany
                                                                                              San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial:
                             Timothy Richards                                                 Dawn Morabe
                                         Santee
                                  Freddy Herrero
                        South Bay Detentions
                                David Gerald                DONOVAN J. JACOBS
                                   Valley Center
                                                                                Attorney at Law           • (Retired SDPD)
                                                           I REPRESENT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN CIVIL LITIGATION
                                  Brian Simpson
                                                                                 Personal Injury (Traffic Accidents)
                                    Vista Station                                      Discipline Appeals
                                  Matthew Harrel                                Civil Service & Skelly Hearings
                                                                                              Legal Questions? Call:
                    Interested in becoming a                                                 (619) 445-8650
                    station rep? At least one
                     rep is needed per team.
                                                                                           (619) 722-6009 (FAX)
                    Email info@dsasd.org for                                               DonovanJJ@yahoo.com
                        more information.

    6 Silver Star   ⭑March 2021
SILVER STAR MARCH 2021 - The Women Behind the Badge | Finding a Voice in Cancel Culture - Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego ...
2021 Memorial Trip Winners
   Congratulations to the DSA members who won a trip to the State or National Law
   Enforcement Memorial events taking place in May:

   State Law Enforcement Memorial, May 2-3, 2021
     1.    Trevor Barron              5.   Bolivar Sierra           9. Corey Petruzziello
     2.    Andrew Hollister           6.   Abraham Macias           10. Joseph Reyes
     3.    Stephen Cornwell           7.   Jonathan Corrao
     4.    Derek Llanes               8.   Julia Breer

   National Law Enforcement Memorial, May 12-16, 2021
    1. Stephen Kitcko       4. Kevin McCauley
    2. Christina Rodriguez  5. Karen Bloch
                                                                                                    The DSA office remains
    3. Rodrigo Aristizabal
                                                                                                    closed due to the current
                                                                                                    public health order, but staff
          If it is announced that these events are cancelled due to the pandemic, the 2021          are available by phone and

                                                                                                                                   D S A D AT E S
          winners will be rolled over to attend the 2022 event. The DSA will then draw an           email Monday through Friday,
             additional round of names for the 2022 State & National Memorial events.               8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

                                                                                                    Current DSA Store hours are
                                                                                                    Monday through Friday, 9:00
Recent Assault on Deputy at Vista Detention Facility                                                a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sheds Light on Changes Needed                                                                       All updates on this topic will
                                                                                                    be communicated via email.
While assaults in our profession aren’t             concerns voiced by our members.                 Please contact the DSA with
uncommon, a recent incident at Vista                                                                questions at (858) 486-9009
Detention Facility in which a deputy was            While some of the issues at hand here are       or info@dsasd.org.
violently assaulted caused a visceral reaction      more complex than meets the eye, it is our
amongst our members.                                hope that we can pass along your suggestions
                                                    and work collaboratively with the department
                                                                                                    Upcoming DSA Closures
In the aftermath of the incident, several DSA       on solutions that keep everyone safe. Special
                                                                                                    March 31
directors visited the facility for a tour and to    thanks to all the deputies who had a chance
connect with the deputies working. It was           to speak with the DSA regarding this matter,
                                                                                                    Upcoming General
made clear that staffing levels and facility/       and we extend our continued wishes for a
                                                                                                    Member Meetings
operations upgrades were the two major              speedy recovery for the deputy involved in
                                                                                                    March 11
concerns of the deputies working VDF.               the incident.
                                                                                                    April 8
In response, Detentions Services Bureau             Please continue to reach out to the DSA with    All meetings will be
command has already made some staffing              your comments, questions, or concerns. The      conducted virtually via Zoom
changes that will likely help deputies at the       directors can be reached via their contact      teleconference until further
busier facilities, but the DSA will still meet      information on page 5, or contact the DSA       notice. Meeting links can
with DSB command to address additional              directly at (858) 486-9009 or info@dsasd.org.   be found on the DSA online
                                                                                                    events calendar.

                                                                                                    DSF Scholarship Application
                                                                                                    Deadline

      New               LIVING TRUST                                                                April 2
                                                                                                    Scholarships are offered
      Pkg                                  $795.00                                                  to DSA members and their
                                                                                                    dependents. Visit www.dsasd.
                                   Law Enforcement Price                                            org/scholarships for more
                              In-Home Appointments Available                                        information and to access
                           includes Wills and Powers of Attorneys                                   the member and dependent
                                                                                                    applications. Applications must

                               RONALD A. HAUSER      Attorney at Law
                                                                                                    be received by April 2, 2021.

                                                   (619) 206-3811
                                                   (619) 319-5171
                              ♦ PROBATE SERVICES AVAILABLE ♦

                                                                                                                    Silver Star   ⭑ March 2021 7
SILVER STAR MARCH 2021 - The Women Behind the Badge | Finding a Voice in Cancel Culture - Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego ...
2021 SDCDSF
                                                              SCHOLARSHIPS
                                                                                   Member & Dependent Scholarship
                                                                                     Applications Due April 2, 2021

LINE OF DUTY SCHOLARSHIPS                                           DSA MEMBER SCHOLARSHIPS
For DSA Member Dependents
                                                                    SDCDSF will award a total of four scholarships at $2,000 each to
The San Diego County Deputy Sheriff's Foundation (SDCDSF)           Active DSA members in good standing. Payments will only be
will award a total of nine scholarships each at $2,000              made to the school. Any Active DSA Member in good standing
to dependents of active or retired DSA members. These               who has been a member for at least one year may apply for the
scholarships are awarded in memory of the nine SDSD Deputies        scholarship. Member must be enrolled in an accredited College
who have given their lives in the line of duty.                     or University. Continuing education and online courses qualify
                                                                    if University or College is accredited. Complete information and
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?                                                    the application can be obtained at the DSA Office or online at
                                                                    www.dsasd.org/scholarships. A personal essay must accompany
Scholarships will be awarded to children of Active and Retired      the application.
DSA members. To qualify for the scholarships, students must be
accepted to an accredited two- or four-year college or university   The deadline for all SDCDSF scholarship applications is April
during the term immediately following high school graduation.       2, 2021. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on April 2.
                                                                    Late applications will not be considered. More information and
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION                                              applications available at www.dsasd.org/scholarships.
Candidates for the scholarships will be evaluated on Academic
Achievement, Character, and Leadership. While the athletic
achievement of candidates will be looked at, it is not a
determining factor for scholarships to be awarded. Candidates
must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average based on a
weighted scale.                                                                        CLEA SCHOLARSHIPS
APPLICATIONS
                                                                             SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND
Complete information and the application can be obtained at                          SOPHOMORES & JUNIORS IN COLLEGE
the DSA Office or online at www.dsasd.org/scholarships. The
application should be mailed to the Scholarship Chairperson,                 We are again very pleased to announce a special Children’s
Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, 13881 Danielson Street, Poway, CA                  Scholarship Program that will be donated by our Long
92064. Applications for scholarships must be received by the                 Term Disability insurance plan administrators, California
                                                                                               Administration Insurance Services, Inc.
Scholarship Chairperson on or before April 2, 2021.
                                                                          Scholarship distribution will consist of $2,000, or four awards
                                                                               at $500 each. Three awards will go to high school seniors
                                                                              and one award will go to a sophomore or junior in college.
                                                                             Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-
                                                                             time course of study at an accredited college, university, or
                                                                           vocational-technical school. Please visit our website for more
                                                                                                                                   details.
                DID YOU KNOW?                                                 Applicants must be the child of a CLEA Plan Participant
                                                                           who has participated since April 1, 2020 or prior, or child of
        The DSA reimburses 100% of                                         NPFBA Participant who has participated since April 1, 2020.

      textbook costs for Class 1 Active                                      The application may be downloaded by going to California
                                                                                Law Enforcement Association’s website at www.CLEA.
     members pursuing degrees in higher                                      org/scholarship. The application must be completed and
                                                                                                       postmarked by April 30, 2021.
     education. Contact the DSA at info@
                                                                           This is a valuable opportunity to provide your children with
       dsasd.org for more information.                                     scholarship money in order to help them attain their higher
                                                                                                              education goals! Act now.

8 Silver Star   ⭑March 2021
DSA | DEPARTMENT | COUNTY | INDUSTRY                         news
                                                                                     Tell Your Story
                DEPUTY SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO

                                                                              A “Day in the Life of a Deputy” Monthly
                                                                                        Submission Contest

  IF YOU'RE A STUDENT, TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF OUR TEXTBOOK              REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR
      REIMBURSEMENT OR                   A CHARITABLE DONATION
    SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Potential Dollars Saved in a Year:      Potential Dollars Saved in a Year:
                                                                                The DSA is now accepting submissions in the form of
          $300-$4,300                                  $150                   pictures + anecdotes that showcase a “day of the life” of a
                                                                             deputy. Submissions can be from on or off-duty adventures
                                                                               you deem fun, funny, interesting, or inspiring. In telling
                                                                              our stories, our communities at home and at work can get
ENTER TO WIN A TRIP TO THE             SWAP A REGULAR DATE NIGHT             to know us on a more personal level, which can foster trust,
  STATE OR NATIONAL LAW                 FOR THE DSA DINNER DANCE                  build morale, and help humanize our profession.
 ENFORCEMENT MEMORIALS

             Value:                    Potential Dollars Saved in a Year:      Each submission is equal to one entry into a monthly
          $750-$1,750                                 $100
                                                                               drawing for a $50 DSA store gift card. Send entries to
                                                                             info@dsasd.org. Photos may be used on social media or in
                                                                             the Silver Star. Gift card winners will be drawn on the last
                                                                                               weekday of each month.
SHOP AT THE DSA STORE FOR               GRAB ICED COFFEE & SNACKS
ALL YOUR DUTY GEAR NEEDS                ANYTIME YOU VISIT THE DSA

Potential Dollars Saved in a Year:      Potential Dollars Saved in a Year:
               $100                                    $25

                                         TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DSA
        USE THE DSA
                                          MEMBER EVENTS DURING
       NOTARY SERVICE
                                         HALLOWEEN & CHRISTMAS

              Value:                                 Value:
               $100                                   $100
                                                                                 MAGEN Online Security

                                     The legal fees associated with
                                                                                    The DSA has partnered with MAGEN
 DID YOU                              an average Internal Affairs                   Online Security to offer a special DSA
 KNOW?                                   investigation can cost                   member rate of $45/year. To register, visit
                                          upwards of $2,000.                       https://law-enforcement.magen.online
                                                                                  and use promotional code DSASD during
                                                                                 checkout. Information can also be found on
    Visit www.dsasd.org/active-member-benefits to learn
                                                                                 the DSA website at www.dsasd.org/magen-
    more. Have an idea for a member benefit to add to this
               list? Let us know at info@dsasd.org.
                                                                                      online-security (login required).

                                                                                                                    Silver Star   ⭑ March 2021 9
news
report | director DSA | DEPARTMENT | COUNTY | INDUSTRY

                                       Broken and Not Fixed
                                       by DSA Director Dawn Morabe

  W      orkers’ Compensation is a broken system with a safety net that
         can often allow employers to not provide necessary medical
  benefits and treatments. Because of this, sometimes deputies are left
                                                                               Medical decisions for the injured should not be left in the hands of
                                                                               anonymous doctors. Anonymous doctors within the system make their
                                                                               decisions based solely on your medical records without any in-person
  broken, and not fixed. I want to speak for them.                             examination. The only way to challenge any treatment is to submit a
                                                                               written request to an anonymous panel of doctors referred to as the
  Wikipedia defines Workers’ Compensation as a form of insurance               Independent Medical Review. Ultimately your medical treatment
  providing wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured         request will be decided by an anonymous stranger whom you will never
  in the course of employment in exchange for mandatory relinquishment         get a chance to speak with, and you will never be able to know their
  of the employee’s right to sue his or her employer for the tort of           identity or their credentials. Again, this is the “cost-effective manner” of
  negligence. This is how the system is rigged against you, the injured        how the system operates. This is a state design.
  employee. Because injured workers cannot appeal in court (except in
  extremely limited circumstances) they can be denied treatment and            Though the Workers’ Compensation system itself provides many
  denied access to justice.                                                    roadblocks for deputies, there is no excuse for the regular and consistent
                                                                               denial of necessary medical care. Our state system is broken and should
  Our department’s Risk Management website states that employees who           be fixed.
  are injured or become ill during or due to employment are provided
  medical benefits in a “timely, professional and cost-effective manner.” I    Here is a common complaint I hear from deputies: a deputy gets injured
  will circle back to the cost-effective manner concept in a moment.           and the county doctor orders an x-ray. Nothing is broken, so physical
                                                                               therapy is ordered. Two months later, the injury is worse. At that
  I offer up the question: is medical care truly being handled in a timely     time, the county doctor orders an MRI and it turns out that a tendon,
  manner? I have spoken with many deputies over several years who have         ligament, muscle, etc. is injured. Physical therapy has been making the
  been injured in the line of duty and who would argue that “timely”           injury worse, because the deputy’s injury was not accurately diagnosed
  medical care is most certainly not what is happening.                        in the initial examination. Now, surgery is needed. Why wasn’t the MRI
                                                                               ordered at the same time as the x-ray? Maybe if it had been, the deputy
  What is common in the Workers’ Compensation system is delayed and            could have received a proper diagnosis and treatment plan and could
  denied treatment. This is accomplished through a system of Utilization       have been well on their road to recovery by this point.
  Review and Independent Medical Review. These processes are
  accomplished with the use of anonymous doctors. Furthermore, these           Why does this need to happen? Because providing the necessary medical
  processes can leave deputies in limbo for weeks or even months and,          treatment to heal and fix deputies in a “timely manner” should be the
  for some, years. For deputies in need of medication, surgery, diagnostic     priority. Period. If decisions must be balanced and dependent upon the
  tests, and other treatments, every minute counts. Inexcusable delays         “cost-effective manner” consideration, then the injured employee will
  in the system are, in effect, a denial of medical care. This is the “cost-   be the only one to suffer. This cost takes a great toll on the emotions and
  effective manner” of how the system operates.                                psyche of the employee that has committed their life to this career, only
                                                                               to be left broken and not fixed.

                                                                               I challenge all of us to become more involved and start talking about this
                                                                               broken system. I ask that we challenge one another to introspectively
                                                                               look at how medical care is being provided to injured deputies. What
                      Speaking For the Working Person,                         can we do together to make this system better? The DSA and PORAC
                            Speaking For You...                                realize this is an important issue. Workers’ Compensation attorneys
                                                                               realize this is an important issue. We need our legislators and leaders
                   Smith | Steiner | Vanderpool                                to also realize this is an important issue. We must all be willing to
    Specializing in Labor and Employment Law, Personal Injury,                 ask ourselves, how many deputies are injured, not receiving medical
                                                                               treatment, suffering at home, or suffering on the job right now? How
    Medical Malpractice, Sexual Harassment, Product Liability,
                                                                               many denials and delays of medical treatment were processed in 2020?
                     and Workers’ Compensation
                                                                               How many denials and delays will occur in 2021?
                    401 West A St, Suite 340 • San Diego, CA 92101             Are we really helping deputies to regain their health after injury? Or
                     Phone: (619) 756-7007 • Fax (619) 501-8194
                                                                               are we leaving them broken and not fixed? Let us work together and fix

  10 Silver Star   ⭑March 2021
                                    SINCE 1983
                                                                                   ⭑
                                                                               this!
Store
                                                                                                                                                 Report
Ammo & Firearms Shortage
DSA Store Manager Chris Hennessey addresses the current nationwide shortage and
what steps the Store is taking to fulfill orders for deputies

S   ince the beginning of 2020 and due to numerous events beyond our
    control, there has been a hoarding of items in our country. Think:
toilet paper. Well, unfortunately, the same problem has occurred with
                                                                              Remington itself was sold, and their manufacturing facility was sold
                                                                              to an entirely different entity. This has quickly become a complete
                                                                              nightmare to operate in, as companies have had holds on manufacturing
firearms and ammunition.                                                      amidst legal hold-ups. I recently learned that Remington will begin
                                                                              manufacturing firearms again in mid-March under licensing between
In 2020 alone, there were over 27 million new gun owners in this              two of the companies that purchased the name and manufacturing.
country. If we take that number and assume that each of those new             This is good news for our store and our ability to purchase more firearm
gun owners needs ammunition to feed their firearm, you can quickly            inventory.
see why we have such a shortage of ammo as well. Combine this with
the shutdown of gun-related manufacturing, refining, and mining due           The DSA is doing all we can to source your firearms and ammunition.
to COVID-19, we are experiencing a nationwide shortage of our store           We will continue to limit the sale of ammo to 100 rounds of each caliber
bestsellers, firearms, and ammunition.                                        to ensure that as many deputies as possible can get the ammo they
                                                                              need. As for the sale of firearms, we will continue to be in contact with
Current public demand is outstripping the existing supply, creating           our distributors daily to check of the status of our order requests and
little-to-no ability to restock those items. Most companies are creating      get timelines as to when we can expect our orders to be fulfilled. When
COVID limitations on their manufacturing to guard the health and              those firearms do become available, we will contact those of you who are
safety of their staff.                                                        on the waiting lists or in the process of payroll deduction.

Further compounding these issues, Remington Arms entered                      If you have any questions, please email me directly at chennessey@dsasd.
bankruptcy and was subsequently broken up and sold off in pieces to           org. As a reminder, the DSA Store is currently open Monday through
various other companies. Marlin Firearms, for example, was owned by
Remington, but has now been sold to Sturm, Ruger & Co. The name
                                                                              Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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                                                                                                                               Silver Star   ⭑ March 2021 11
news
report | c.a.o.                   DSA | DEPARTMENT | COUNTY | INDUSTRY

                                     An Inside Look at the DSA
                                     by DSA Chief Administrative Officer Rachel Parrott

   T    he Deputy Sheriffs’ Association is a complex organization with
        many moving parts, many of which go unseen and potentially
   unnoticed. For instance, similar to Disneyland, there are many
                                                                                   As we approach the one-year anniversary of our new website, I would
                                                                                   be remiss to not acknowledge the hard work of our Communications
                                                                                   Coordinator, Alex Heckman. Alex worked to build the website from the
   intricacies behind the scenes to make sure the membership receives the          ground up and continues to oversee its development and maintenance.
   joy of membership, in both big and small ways. Now I bet there are a            The new website has been an integral part of the DSA’s efforts toward
   few of you scoffing at the idea that the DSA be compared to Disneyland.         increased transparency, communication, and member outreach over
   How dare she compare the most wonderful place on earth to a seemingly           the past year. Alex does all this while simultaneously designing the
   futile thing such as the DSA? But hear me out. I would argue that when          Silver Star, working on the DSA public relations plan, overseeing the
   it comes to labor organizations, we are the Disneyland of unions.               DSA’s social media accounts, and assisting with fundraising and events.
                                                                                   Every single member benefit question, enrollment, or claim passes
   For some background, the DSA employs six full-time staff members.               through the hands of Louisa Hicks. Louisa is our longest standing DSA
   Our names and pictures grace the DSA website and office hallway, while          employee, having worked at the DSA for over 30 years. I have told her
   we work quietly in the background to bring forward the benefits most            time and time again that we are keeping her forever. If you are a member
   of the membership has grown to love. Each staff member has their own            of the DSA, Louisa has had a hand in what your membership looks
   unique priorities and responsibilities, but we work collectively to deliver     like yesterday, today, and tomorrow. If you have attended a member
   the best possible membership benefits and services to the more than             event, inquired about commemorative badges, yearbooks, pink patches,
   2,400 active deputies in our association.                                       memorial trips, or attended a member meeting, Monique Wengeler has
                                                                                   played a hand in it. I am grateful for Monique’s dedication to the details

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   12 Silver Star   ⭑March 2021
in ensuring our large projects and events go off without a hitch. The          After this past director election, we received a few inquiries about why
DSA receives member updates almost daily pertaining to life’s biggest          the vote was not electronic, so I figured it would be best to dispel any
changes, whether it’s the birth of a new family member or the loss of a        myths surrounding the question. In 2017, the membership voted to
beloved one. If you have ever advocated for your teammates to receive          change the bylaws to allow for electronic voting. However, in order
flowers, a baby basket, textbook reimbursements, or you have just              to move forward with electronic voting, the DSA needed to find a
reached out with general inquiries, you have most likely worked with           platform to make it possible. In 2017, we researched a few companies
Yvonne Waller, the DSA’s receptionist. If there is one thing we know           and received quotes ranging from $10,000- $25,000 yearly to make
most deputies love and cherish, it’s ammo and firearms. I cannot, for          electronic voting possible. At that point, the board felt it unwise to
the life of me, understand the obsession, but it is alive and vibrant in the   move forward from a cost perspective. Fast forward to 2020, and the
DSA store (and in my husband’s gun safe). Shopping in the DSA Store            idea resurfaced. A new membership tracking software we were looking
means working with Chris Hennessey as he (lovingly) attempts to sell           into partnering with had the capability for electronic voting. We signed
you a $2,300 Staccato.                                                         a contract with iQue Management software in October of 2020. The
                                                                               transition to that platform began in November and would not have
I speak for all the staff when I say that the DSA is incredibly important      been ready for a membership-wide vote by December of 2020. Right
to each of us and we take pride in the work we do each day. While              now, we are in the final stages of fully transitioning to the new platform.
tension, conflict, and disagreement are inevitable, it can grow                There are still a few things that must happen prior to an electronic vote;
disheartening when that becomes the main story line. It would be               the biggest hurdle is ensuring that members have access to the online
disingenuous to claim that disagreement was not a central theme to the         portal for the iQue software to ensure that they have the opportunity
DSA’s story in 2020, but it would also be a major misrepresentation of         to vote electronically. Once we know that all members have adequate
the work our full-time staff and directors did each day to claim it was the    access to vote, the board must vote to hold the December 2021 election
only theme.                                                                    electronically. A mock survey or vote would follow to work out any
                                                                               issues and ensure proper logistical planning, and then the first ever
In the coming months, the membership will see the DSA roll out a new           electronic vote would be held in December 2021. While we may or may
membership software and tracking system called iQue Management                 not hold a paper ballot election again, I would like to acknowledge both
systems. What does that mean for you? This system houses all your              the dedication and integrity of our election committee and staff who
membership information, from simple information like your address              oversee the current mail-in voting process. Their hard work is vital to
and email to more complex and important information like your                  the success of the association.
beneficiaries, payroll deductions (we are looking at you, gun payroll
deduction), insurance enrollments, benefits, work locations, and more.         With COVID numbers slowly declining, we hope we are seeing the light
This platform will include an online member login that members can             at the end of the tunnel regarding shutdowns and cancelled events. The
access to view their personal information on file, make updates, and           DSA is tentatively planning the following events for the 2021 calendar
receive tax information, among other things. The iQue Management               year and hope you will save the date!
system allows for electronic voting, which I will get to in a bit. Keep an
eye out in the coming months for information on how to access your                  •    State Memorial: May 2-3
online portal. This information will come via email and be published in
                                                                                    •    National Memorial: May 12-16
the Silver Star.
                                                                                    •    Temecula Wine Tour: Summer or Early Fall
Thankfully, the impacts of COVID over the past year have been minimal
                                                                                    •    Dinner Dance: Saturday, August 14
for the DSA. However, the largest impact was seen in our store. Turn
back to page 11 to hear from our Store Manager, Chris Hennessey,                    •    Memorial Golf Tournament: Monday, September 20
regarding the roadblocks we have faced and will continue to face in                 •    Halloween Trunk-or-Treat: Friday, October 29
the coming months regarding the purchase firearms and ammo. We
are currently working on bringing back a more expanded community                    •    Children’s Christmas Party: Saturday, December 4
discount program and providing more merchandise in the store. If you
                                                                               In closing, I look forward to bringing even greater transparency to the
have suggestions on things you would like to see in the store or in our
                                                                               behind-the-scenes work at the DSA and ensuring that the membership
discount program, email me at rparrott@dsasd.org.
                                                                               stays current on the inner workings of both staff and directors. Our
By the time you read this, we will have completed a two-day intensive          hope is that this insight will bring forward not only greater lines of
board training with some of the staff and the entire Board of Directors.       communication between the DSA and our members, but that it can also
Our goal with this training was to give the board a deep insight to            help clear up confusion, misinformation, and inaccuracies before they
the programs, benefits, and offerings of the DSA, along with valuable          can run rampant. Maybe then it will not sound so farfetched when I
information regarding how they work. We also discussed a major project         claim the DSA to be the Disneyland of labor unions.
regarding the potential purchase of the William B. Kolendar Sheriffs’
                                                                               If you have questions, concerns, or general inquiries, please do not
Museum. Take a look at President Leonhardi’s report this month to get
                                                                               hesitate to email, text, or call me directly at the information below, or
some insight into why we believe in the value of the museum and why
it’s even being considered by the DSA. We spent an entire day diving
into to the importance of the DSA’s political action, the vision for the
                                                                               contact the DSA office at (858) 486-9009 or info@dsasd.org.
                                                                                                                                                  ⭑
                                                                               Rachel Parrott, CAO
coming year, and the hurdles both the association and law enforcement          Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of San Diego
will face up ahead. I look forward to what this year will bring with our       (619) 672-0304 | rparrott@dsasd.org
new board.
                                                                                                                                 Silver Star   ⭑ March 2021 13
report | political action

  Political Action Update
  by DSA Political Consultant John Wainio

  Political Action Committee Organized // Special thanks to                      back this year – and the DSA is reaching out to legislators and forming
  these DSA members who have volunteered to serve as members of the              coalitions to fight these bills again.
  2021 DSA Political Action Committee: Aaron Montan, Bryan Bentley,              While many of the current proposals masquerade as reforms, they
  Jake Klepach, Mark Bryan, Dave Schaller, Jonathan Tippin, Tony                 actually include provisions that seek to undermine respect for law
  O’Boyle, Pat McEvoy, Marlon McCurdy, and Robert Miller.                        enforcement and cripple our ability to maintain the peace.
  The DSA Political Action Committee interviews candidates seeking an
  endorsement from the DSA and makes recommendations to the Board                Sacramento Politicians have introduced bills that would effectively
  of Directors on all candidate endorsements, ballot measure positions,          defund our local police departments here in San Diego County. The bills
  and PAC donations and expenditures.                                            would increase lawsuits against our cities, including instances where
                                                                                 officers do not use any force or make any arrests. There is research and
  The PAC will be giving special attention to the Sheriffs race in 2022.         literature on common-sense actions the state can adopt to meaningfully
  Other races of interest include the upcoming Special Election to replace       improve community policing, but increasing lawsuits against our cities is
  Assemblymember Shirley Weber, who has been appointed as California             not in any of the recommendations.
  Secretary of State, and the races for County Board of Supervisor and
  District Attorney in 2022.                                                     The DSA will continue working to maintain and enhance high
                                                                                 standards of recruitment, training, professionalism, transparency, and
                                                                                 accountability within our profession. We must keep up the fight for
  Sacramento Watch // The DSA worked with other large law
                                                                                 common-sense reforms and oppose dangerous legislation that will make
  enforcement agencies throughout the state to successfully block several
  ill-conceived bills last fall. Not surprisingly, many of those bad ideas are   California more unsafe.
                                                                                                                              ⭑

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  14 Silver Star   ⭑March 2021
political action | feature

Finding Our Cop Voice in Cancel Culture
by Deputy Brian Bentley

A     s the summer of 2013 ended and I prepared for my senior year of
      college, it was bittersweet to leave my girlfriend, who I eventually
married, to spend the fall semester studying in Washington, D.C. and
                                                                              my opinion is just that (mine), I strongly and unequivocally believe it
                                                                              is important for deputies to participate and contribute to this process.
                                                                              We’ve all been told to wait for the proverbial “pendulum” to swing, at
interning in the United States House of Representatives. As you can           which point the current anti-police cultural sentiment will be reversed.
imagine, the political landscape in Washington was quite an adjustment        But like many others, I’ve grown tired of hearing that systemic racism
for a 21-year-old who had spent most summers working on his                   runs rampant through the ranks of the good law enforcement men
grandfather’s walnut orchard in central California. Nevertheless, I was       and women selflessly serving their communities. Unfortunately, some
soon enthralled by the rich history and fast pace of Washington. I visited    politicians have encouraged this rhetoric, and contributed to a culture
the various museums, was inspired by the Declaration of Independence,         where people can no longer “agree to disagree” but instead must
and felt a sense of awe to be walking through the same halls as some of       “agree or be cancelled”. In fact, people on both sides of the political
the most important figures in American history.                               spectrum have seen careers ended over ten-year-old tweets or views that
                                                                              contradict a mainstream narrative.
Now mind you, being a legislative “intern” isn’t as glamorous as it
sounds. The majority of my duties focused on answering phones, sorting        In times of such turbulence and uncertainty, it can be tempting to avoid
mail and emails, and ensuring that my legislator’s office was adequately      conflict by staying “under the radar”, but I’m convinced that is the wrong
stocked with supplies. However, one aspect of my job, which to this day,      answer. Instead, we must return to a time where ideas are discussed and
remains the highlight of my time in D.C., was providing tours of the          speech is not muzzled. For example, in a January 5, 2021 article by City
Capitol building to visiting constituents.                                    News Service, County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher is quoted as saying,
                                                                              “But times change, and now [that] the voters have elected a new group
During the tours, I explained the history of the building which included      of more progressive supervisors we will govern more consistent with
stories from some of the greatest moments in our country. I especially        our values”. Whether or not I agree with Supervisor Fletcher’s views on
remember the Old Senate Chamber, which was the deliberating space             policy, his transparency makes it clear that now, more than ever, our
for the U.S. Senate from 1819 to 1859 and later housed the Supreme            political leaders need to hear competing ideas. In this difficult time, it is
Court from 1860 to 1935. It was the place where some of the greatest          more important than ever for Deputies to engage in politics so that our
decisions—and compromises—in our nation’s history were made. But              interests are represented.
my favorite part of the tour was towards the end, when we stopped in
front of the Flight 93 memorial plaque. I discussed the bravery and           As deputies, we engage with our communities every day, developing
sacrifice of the passengers and crew who fought back terrorists that day,     a variety of relationships with those we serve. I can personally say
knowing that their lives were almost certainly over and that they would       that I have more positive interactions with the public than negative.
most likely never see their families again. Yet, because of their heroic      However, anyone who tunes into the nightly news would think that law
efforts, countless lives were saved.                                          enforcement officers are constantly in strife with the public. We must
                                                                              challenge this narrative and engage in constructive dialogue whenever
After finishing my semester in D.C. and returning to San Diego, I             we can.
finished college and entered the Regional Law Enforcement Academy
in the Fall of 2014. I started my Deputy Sheriff career working at            It is also important to remember that, because of the unique design
the San Diego Central Jail before ultimately transferring to a patrol         of county Sheriff ’s Departments, county citizens elect their highest
assignment in San Marcos. Like all deputies, I’ve experienced the thrills     law enforcement official. In fact, the office of Sheriff in San Diego
and challenges which make this one of the most difficult but rewarding        County will again be on the ballot in 2022. It is not my intention here
careers. However, my interest in politics is one habit I am unable to quit.   to advocate on behalf of any specific candidates or to denigrate any of
So, when asked to join the DSA’s Political Action Committee (PAC)             our current officials. However, how we are viewed by the public will
almost two years ago, of course I agreed.                                     play a critical role in this election, and we must be proactive in helping
                                                                              to shape those views. Furthermore, I believe these concepts transcend
I was surprised to learn that most of my partners had never heard of this     the election of any single official as they are at the core of deliberative
PAC. Furthermore, they were equally uninformed of the DSA’s political         democracy.
influence. This concerned me, ultimately prompting me to pen this article.
                                                                              Open and fair competition is the bedrock of the free-market system,
The PAC is a group of DSA members charged with ensuring that                  and the same rings true in politics. Debate and deliberation strengthen
the general membership “has a seat at the table” regarding political          government, while cancellation breeds tribalism and division.
processes. We interview candidates who are running for various offices,
ranging from seats on the County Board of Supervisors to congressional        Throughout my relatively short time with the Sheriff ’s Department,
representatives, with the goal of improving the general well-being of         I’ve had the pleasure of working with amazing men and women who
deputies in San Diego County. We provide recommendations to the               put others first and serve their communities with professionalism.
DSA board, which ultimately has the final word on whether a candidate         Their opinions, beliefs, and values matter and deserve to be heard. My
is endorsed.                                                                  hope is that we reflect on these values as the election nears, and that as
                                                                              deputies, we embrace the opportunity to engage in this process. It might
Now I know what many of you might think: does any of this make a              not always be easy, and our preferred outcomes are not guaranteed.
difference, or is it all a waste of valuable time and money? Although         However, we will have no voice at all if we sit on the sidelines.
                                                                                                                                Silver Star   ⭑
                                                                                                                                                     ⭑
                                                                                                                                                  March 2021 15
feature | women in law enforcement

   Voices Behind the Star
   by Deputy Liah Ector & DSA Director Dawn Morabe

                                                                                 probably met a diversity quota. If I
   M     arch is Women’s History Month. History is defined as the study
         of past events connected with someone or something. In a slight
   detour from a historical chronicle, we are instead highlighting some of
                                                                                 failed, it was because I was a female
                                                                                 and was not cut out for the military.
                                                                                 I share this not as a complaint,
   the women in our department and the ways in which they enrich our
                                                                                 but a challenge. I capitalized on
   history today.
                                                                                 my strengths and worked on my
   Every single one of us is part of multiple cultures, not just a singular      weaknesses, and at the end of the day,
   culture. As women, we are part of a woman’s culture, a law enforcement        my work spoke for itself.
   culture, and a societal culture. We do our part to make our cultures
                                                                                 What do veterans bring to the
   and our world better. We are diverse and rich with the values and
                                                                                 department? Perspective, initiative,
   experiences we bring to the San Diego Sheriff ’s Department. Our
                                                                                 accountability, teamwork. What
   diversity is rich and extends well beyond our race and gender.
                                                                                 do female veterans bring to the
   We represent the women behind the San Diego Sheriff ’s Star. Let us not       department? The same, but with a
   be judged by our appearance but instead be recognized for the unique          little more grit. I, Danielle Pozun,
   talents we bring. Below is a collection of her-stories, which represent       stand with and for all the women in
   all of us women. It is our collective story that is adding to history. Here   law enforcement who are serving,
   we stand with deep satisfaction in who we are, in our achievements and        and have served, in the military.
   qualities, and for all the unique gifts we as women bring to our cultures.
                                                                                                                          Deputy Amanda Johnson
                                     Deputy Danielle Pozun                                                                Vista Patrol Station
                                     Vista Detention Facility
                                                                                                                           I have been with the Sheriff ’s
                                     I have been with the Sheriff ’s                                                       Department for seven years.
                                     Department for one year. Prior to                                                     I am currently assigned as
                                     joining, I served ten years on Active                                                 a Juvenile Detective Officer
                                     Duty, and now serve in the Marine                                                     (JDO). Prior to joining the
                                     Corps Reserves. Simply put, military                                                  department, I worked with
                                     service changes you. The Marine                                                       youth and coached high school
                                     Corps taught me the value of initiative,                                              basketball. I have always had
                                     accountability, and attention to detail.                                              a compelling passion to work
                                     I learned how to fail, how to succeed                                                 with youth and help shape
                                     with humility, how to lead, and how to                                                the minds of the future. My
   follow. I also learned how to eat quickly and sleep anywhere.                                                           experiences have taught me
                                                                                 that not every child is fortunate enough to be born into a loving home or
   In Afghanistan, living in uncertainty was the norm; I had to improvise        presented with valuable opportunities and experiences. This realization
   and adapt to overcome changing situations. I also gained a new                has contributed to my wife and I adopting two amazing, phenomenal,
   perspective. Clean water, paved roads, and plumbing were luxuries I           perfect ALL THE TIME children.
   took for granted. I saw the harsh realities that many Afghan and Iraqi
   women face due to severe economic, social, and political restrictions.        Like most people, my wife and I feel that every child deserves a loving
   Yet despite the restrictions, these women risked their lives to vote, go      home where they can grow and thrive. Adoption has allowed my wife
   to school, and have a voice. In difficult situations, I discovered that       and I to provide our girls with a loving and stable home. In return,
   shared hardship builds cohesion. I discovered that while a college            our girls constantly teach us patience, balance, and what a loving
   degree is a worthy achievement, having a growth mindset is far more           environment can do for a person. I am aware I cannot adopt every child
   valuable. I experienced firsthand that while the military has made            in need of guidance or a loving home, but the Sheriff ’s Department has
   significant advances, there are still negative perceptions about female       provided me with the opportunity to reach the youth that may need the
   servicemembers. If I succeeded, it was because I was a female and             most support. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with youth daily

   16 Silver Star   ⭑March 2021
“I am where I am today not because of my successes, but because of
                                                          my failures and my resilience and to keep moving forward.“
                                                                                                                                    - Deputy Jessica Ricca

and provide them with guidance and support to make better decisions.           and respond accordingly. To be a
                                                                               woman in this career, you must
Being a mother of two children who could have had a completely                 be tough, which is proven day one
different set of experiences has taught me that compassion, empathy, and       of the academy, but you also must
communication go a long way and can determine an outcome. Often                be smart. In my eight years, I have
as a JDO I find myself utilizing these qualities with the families I am        seen how much the culture has
encountering. As a mother and JDO, each day presents a new challenge.          changed and how we are continuing
Although I believe adolescents are among the most engaging and                 to grow as a department. My
intriguing audiences you can work with, they also keep you on your toes.       educational background continues
I tell my girls and the children I come across in the field that, regardless   to motivate me to always be learning
of what their circumstances are, they should hold true to the values of        and adapting to however the law
responsibility, servant leadership, and respect.                               enforcement culture changes. I,
                                                                               Shannon Huard, stand with and for all the women in law enforcement
What do mothers bring to the department? The mothers in law                    who have been enriched by different cultures.
enforcement embody so many positive attributes: we are loving,
hardworking, problem-solvers, and can balance multiple things at once.
In short, mothers GET THE JOB DONE! I, Amanda Johnson, stand                                            Deputy Julia Breer
with and for all the women in law enforcement who are making our                                        Prisoner Transportation
world a better place for children.
                                                                                                         I have been on the department for nine years
                                                                                                         and I am currently assigned to the Prisoner
                                     Deputy Shannon Huard                                                Transportation Unit. When I look at what I
                                     Las Colinas Detention Facility                                      have done with my time here, undoubtedly,
                                                                                                         what has given me the most joy is being a part
                                     I have been on the department                                       of the Women’s Pistol Shooting Team. We all
                                     for eight years. Prior to joining, I                                know that being in law enforcement there are
                                     received my Bachelor of Arts and                                    ebbs and flows. When I joined the team, I was
                                     Master of Arts degree from Hope                                     most definitely in an ebb! An email was sent out
                                     International University in Ministry                                department-wide looking for female shooters to
                                     with an emphasis in Intercultural         try out for a team. One of my partners asked if I would try out with her.
                                     Studies and a minor in Biblical           At first, I did not want to have anything to do with it, but she asked, so I
                                     Studies. Before beginning my              did. I thought I was doing her a favor. Unfortunately, she did not make
                                     Master’s Program, I lived in China        the cut, but I did. We went out for lunch the next week. I apologized
                                     for a year and a half. I worked as a      and told her I felt bad that I was going to be doing something that she
                                     Business English teacher and taught       wanted to do. She quickly explained to me that she never even wanted
                                     at the local university in Nanchang,      to be on the team, she just wanted to pull me out of a rut and get me
Jiangxi province in China. I also taught for a short time in both              excited about our job again. Wow! That is a partner. I have competed
Chengdu, Sichuan province and in Hong Kong. While in China, I had              now for the last three years.
the opportunity to travel to some amazing places. I worked on a team of
seven teachers who I did life with. This group became my family. During        This year’s team has grown into 12 amazing shooters. These ladies
my time there I was able learn some of the language, history, and culture      come from across the county, from every bureau and from all walks
of the country. My Chinese skills have faded over the years, but my love       of life. The great equalizer is that a pistol does not care who you are,
of the culture and the food has not.                                           it cares what you know. We put in countless hours of practice to be
                                                                               one of the top teams in the nation. Our practices are held twice a
My experiences in Asia, as well as my educational background have              week and we implement different courses of fire working towards
helped mold me into the Deputy I am today. Women in law enforcement            our fastest times. Last year we put in a ton of training only to find out
have a unique role and opportunity. We tend to approach situations with        that the 2020 Women’s Pistol Invitational (WPI) was cancelled. We
our words and common background before exerting our authority. Our             transitioned our efforts and competed in the United States Police and
strength comes from our ability to recognize the totality of a situation       Fire Championships. We placed 1st in Teams and each shooter ranked
                                                                                                                                  Silver Star   ⭑ March 2021 17
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