McHenry County residents and department employees are waiting to hear who will be tapped for the position of Undersheriff of the McHenry County Sheriff's Department. Gene Lowery is departing for the Crystal Lake Police Department, where he is scheduled to start on March 29 as Deputy Chief, filling the spot vacated by Dennis Harris when he retired at the end of January.
How is the appointment (promotion?) made within the Sheriff's Department? Is there a slate of qualified employees from which the sheriff will choose? Is there a short list of outside candidates that the sheriff is considering?
It might be a good morale booster within the department for an employee to be promoted, but who are those qualified to move up? Has anyone be trained along the way, in the event of a sudden vacancy in either the position of sheriff or undersheriff?
CALEA might call it "management depth." That's the same concept that a large corporation ought to follow, in case a plane goes down with the senior management staff aboard. Or even a small business, if the business is to survive the owner.
The sheriff's department Merit Commission was to meet on February 10, and I had intended to ask what the procedure is for filling the undersheriff's spot. The Commission canceled that meeting.
So far the Commission is scheduled to meet for its Regular Meeting on March 10. No agenda item includes any discussion or vote on the Undersheriff's position. Does the Merit Commission have any voice in this matter? Is there an Eligibility List for Undersheriff, as there is for sergeants and lieutenants?
Incidentally, although "Executive Session" appears on the agenda, there is no agenda item for Action on Executive Session matters. Would the absence of that agenda item prevent a vote on any topic discussed in Executive Session?
Trespassing in Woodstock
7 hours ago
3 comments:
It is open to anyone to apply, whether you are already an employee of the Sheriff's department or not. Interviews are currently being conducted. The sheriff does not have to promote up through the ranks for this position. It's fair game to the most qualified person.
Gus, you should know better, political, ethical, moral gadfly that you are!
A board cannot vote on anything in Executive session. It's a violation of the law. All they are permitted to do in executive session is deliberate and discuss matters. The actual vote must always be in public.
Perhaps when the Woodstock police & fire commission has their Open Meetings Training, you can attend.
Thanks, Mike.
That was my point. Since the agenda does not list "Action on Executive Session Discussion", is the Merit Commission then prevented from voting on anything discussed in the Executive Session.
Yes, I know that they cannot vote in secret. It's the public's attendance and scrutiny of meetings that sometimes assures that boards and commissions will comply fully with the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
Post a Comment