Deputies’ Pensions

I read the article published in your paper on June 29, and I was amazed to read some of the statements the Board of Supervisors had made about the deputies and our association. I’m a deputy and have been for 11 years. I think we have a good department and that is because of the deputies that are employed here. I also think it is one that the public is proud of. I don’t think what the deputies are requesting is anything more than what our counterparts are getting at other sheriff’s and police departments in California, or for that matter in our area.

Do the general public and the Board of Supervisors know that if a deputy or police officer retires, they are only expected to live to the age of 57, according to FBI statistics? That means if the Sheriff’s Department does get 3% at 50 and a deputy retires at 50, he/she will probably only get to enjoy retirement seven years. This is unlike many people of the general public who will enjoy their retirement well into their 80s. If a deputy does live past 57, well, the county is just going to have to dig into its pockets for a little longer, which would really kill them.

There is a reason why retired deputies and police officers have a mortality rate of 57 years old. Most people don’t have to tell someone that a loved one has just been killed. Most people don’t have to deal with people society says are criminals. Most people don’t see the aftermath of domestic violence. Most people don’t have to see children who have been hurt, molested or killed. And most people don’t have to see people seriously injured in traffic accidents. I do. I see it on a daily basis. And let’s not forget that most people don’t get shot at when they are trying to help someone.

I think the deputies that work for this Sheriff’s Department deserve the benefits we are asking for. Instead of pointing fingers and trying to make us look like the bad guy, if the media and Board of Supervisors stated some of the facts behind what the sheriff’s association is doing, the general public would have better perspective to make an opinion. If you are going to print something, try to make it fair and not biased. Glenn Kitzmann is right: They haven’t seen hardball yet.

Scott Duffner

Deputy Sheriff

Ventura