Dear editor:
In response to recent letters to the editor in regards to vehicle purchases related to the new detention center, I'd like to take a brief opportunity to clarify some misunderstandings or misinformation. First, there will be only two assigned vehicles to management level positions, not three as has been previously reported. The security director, Capt. Branstetter, will not be receiving an assigned vehicle. The vehicle slated for Capt. Branstetter will be purchased and added to the detention center fleet for use in our daily operations, such as inmate court transports, medical appointments, extraditions and the like.
In regards to the vehicle purchased for my use, it is incumbent to understand that I am on call "24/7" and need to be available to respond to the detention center(s) as needed. The best method of ensuring that I can do so, under any conditions, is through the use of a fully outfitted police vehicle. Also worth noting is the fact that my Law Enforcement Certification from Florida is being honored upon my completion of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy refresher course, which will occur by the end of this month. I will be a fully certified law enforcement officer and available for emergency responses, both on and off duty.
The decision to provide a vehicle to the programs director was a simple matter of economics; we found it less expensive to provide a vehicle rather than reimburse the director for mileage at the current IRS rate of $.56 per mile. The programs director is the main community liaison for the detention center. This position will require rather extensive travel throughout the county and region, recruiting volunteers and interns, and benchmarking other facilities for meaningful and proven inmate programs.
Finally, it must be understood that the $.3/8 funding source as approved by the voters does not allow for the purchase of vehicles slated for use by patrol deputies. The Sheriff's Office General Fund is separate from the Detention Center Operating Fund and, as such, "jail money" cannot be used for patrol and vice versa.
Mark Chamberlain
Chief deputy of corrections
Garland County Sheriff's Office
Editorial on 08/26/2014