Something to Hide?

Three Ventura County sheriff’s deputies face dismissal for having sex while on duty.

The teenage son of the longtime sheriff spends a night in jail after being caught with a small amount of suspected methamphetamine.

Embarrassing incidents, yes, but hardly scandals worthy of a cover-up that deceives press and public.

Yet in the first case, a week went by before news leaked out via unofficial sources that three deputies assigned to the tiny Fillmore operation were to be fired. And in the second, more than a month passed before word of the arrest made its way to a reporter.

Why does it matter?

It matters because incidents like these leave the public suspicious of what other secrets the Sheriff’s Department might be sitting on.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is an effective and thoroughly professional crime-fighting force that has earned the respect of county residents by keeping crime low and its internal standards high. It certainly deserves to have more confidence that its image can survive an occasional speck without losing its luster.

Especially in these cases, both of which appear to have been handled just right by the department. Rather than go easy on fellow officers or the boss’ son, the department held them to the high standards the public would expect.

So why the hush-hush?

We salute the vast majority of men and women who wear the badge with pride and honor. As we enter a new year that will bring new leadership to the department, we encourage a little more candor in cases like these--lest we begin to wonder what else is being kept quiet.