Pubdate: Sun, 27 Mar 2005 Source: Journal News, The (NY) Copyright: 2005 The Gannett Company, Inc. Contact: http://www.nyjournalnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1205 Author: Cara Matthews PUTNAM UNION SPAT CUTS DRUG COP RANKS In 12 months on the beat with the Putnam County Narcotics Task Force, a Carmel police officer made nearly 40 arrests for possession and sale of drugs like Ecstacy, marijuana and cocaine, and supplied leads that led to successful investigations in other towns. A new county-town partnership program had put him there, based on the theory that working together prevents duplication of efforts and gives authorities an edge in collaring dealers and users. But on March 18, the county ended the program, and the undercover officer, whose name was withheld, was sent back to Carmel, where he was placed on patrol. Some people are upset that what began as a management-police union dispute over two vacant county deputy sheriff jobs is affecting police vigilance on illegal drugs. And the actions came just after County Executive Robert Bondi asked lawmakers and the public to support his extensive plan to curb drug and alcohol abuse. His annual State of the County message March 9 centered on the deleterious effects of drugs and alcohol on health, government services and other areas. "This program was off to a great start and had even greater promise for the future," Putnam Sheriff Donald Smith said last week. The disagreement began when the Sheriff's Department Police Benevolent Association -- which has not had a contract since January 2003 and is in arbitration -- filed an improper practice complaint against Putnam. The union argued it was unfair to hire someone outside the department when two in-house jobs had been left open. The union offered to rescind the complaint if the jobs were filled, along with a few more stipulations. The positions have funding in the sheriff's budget, but Bondi has not signed two vacancy control forms filed in 2003 that are necessary for the hires to move forward. Paul Eldridge, Putnam's personnel director, said Putnam faced a finding of improper practice if it did not end the contract. Bondi, who came up with the idea for the narcotics partnership, said Friday he will not be "blackmailed" by the PBA. "This is greed, plain and simple," he said of the union's stance. PBA President Fred Mark said the union is not motivated by greed. Members need to have a guarantee their jobs are given priority over those that are contracted out, he said. The PBA made its offer more than a year ago, he said. "The PBA's position is the more cops you can put in that (narcotics) unit, the better," Mark said. Carmel Police Chief Michael Johnson said the partnership was one of the best programs the department ever had, and he was "flabbergasted" that it was abruptly discontinued. He was planning to rotate officers into the program every six to 18 months, he said. Under the arrangement, the county agreed to pay up to $50,000 of the salary and benefits. The amounts for the past year totaled about $40,000 for the county and $40,000 for Carmel, Johnson said. The base annual salary for a new deputy sheriff who has completed academy training is $42,838, Smith said. Benefits for each deputy sheriff total about $20,600 a year, he said. "I'm disheartened and perplexed that at a time when drug and alcohol issues have been made the highest priority in the county, that this intermunicipal agreement between the county of Putnam and the town of Carmel is being discontinued," Smith said. Eldridge said Bondi's administration disputes statements by union members, county lawmakers and the Sheriff's Office that the two unfilled positions are in narcotics. Narcotics is fully staffed. Plus, in April 2003, the Sheriff's Office ended a long-term contract with Brewster, and there was no longer a need for the five full-time deputy sheriffs who patrolled the village, he said. According to Smith, deputies who, in an ideal situation would be in narcotics, are working patrol. Putnam is a fast-growing county, and he believes all the vacancies should be filled. His office still is responsible for patrolling Brewster, he said. Smith said staffing also is an issue because he is concerned about the safety of county residents and his own police officers. County Legislator Tony Hay, R-Southeast, said it's a shame to give up the narcotics officer contract "because we're playing games with two positions." Legislator Sam Oliverio, D-Putnam Valley, said he understands the union's position but believes it was petty of the PBA to sabotage the narcotics job. Maria Lovera of Mahopac, who has a 7-year-old and an 11-year-old, said she is concerned about drugs and their potential impact on the community. Her husband is a narcotics officer in New York City. Her son will enter middle school next year, she said. "I definitely would worry about him going into the middle school and being exposed to narcotics," she said. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin