Interaction with Citizens

          Among a sheriff's duty is to preserve peace while protecting life and property. There are definitely a number of cases in which citizens will interact with a sheriff's department. For one instance, Prisoners are monitored by Sheriff's departments because part of their job entails being on-duty at prisons. Deputy Sheriff Helen Camua, my CP contact, does jail duty as well as patrolling duties (which I will be accompanying in ride-alongs) around the county. There are many different duties that a deputy can hold such as a Bailiff in court, or serving as a back-up to Police Officers. As I've mentioned in my other blog posts, Sheriffs have police powers. They are able to apprehend criminals, recover lost or stolen property, and enforce all Federal, State, and county laws. With that said, the overall relationship between citizens and my CP varies. Outside of those in custody however, citizen's participation gives a sheriff their sense of duty. Without the citizens, Sheriffs would not have anybody to protect and serve. I believe the citizen's participation plays a key role in the Sheriffs work. 

Dr. King and Voting

          Dr. King had influential and positive involvement in the enforcement of voting rights for African Americans. After the passing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Dr. King placed a high priority to registering African American voters in the South. To locally increase the percentage of African American voters in Alabama, Dr. King led a march through Selma. This march led the passing of a very historical landmark of legislation in America— the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This Act prohibited states from discriminatory voting practices. The Voting Rights Act has been "renewed and amended by Congress four times, the most recent being a 25-year extension signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2006" (associated press NBC news July 27, 2008)

          Just thinking that at one point in time, people were so judgmental and discriminative. To think that you were deprived of your rights as a citizen or even a human being because of the color of your skin is really hard to imagine nowadays! You can't help but have nothing but respect for the people who endured this kind of treatment for years. And even more respect towards those who stood up and fought for their rights, like Dr. King. He will always be remembered for what he did for the Civil Rights movement. 

Looking forward to working with a Santa Clara Deputy Sheriff!

          In California, Sheriffs are elected officials in a county. A county’s sheriff’s department polices areas of the given county which do not lie in the jurisdiction of the police department—also known as an “unincorporated area”. However, a sheriff does have full police powers outside their counties, regardless of boundaries. It really does differ however, on the county. I was doing some research on other Sheriff Departments and I found that the City and County of San Francisco stands out. Because San Francisco is “consolidated and coterminous”, the San Francisco Police Department provides general police service for the city while the Sheriff’s department is only in charge of judicial duties, jail staffing and security staffing for facilities of the city. Despite their sworn judicial duties, San Francisco Sheriff Deputies are still sworn peace officers and can back up police whenever necessary. 

          As I mentioned before, their full police powers are still intact! I hope to find more about Santa Clara's Sheriff rules and regulations compared with the Police Department once I start working with them.