Members of the Clay County Sheriff's Office dealt a second blow the Sheriff Rick Beseler today.  The Correctional Deputies participated in a secret vote on whether or not to retain their Union representation through the Fraternal Order of Police.  Sixty -four percent of all eligible members voted and sixty percent of all voting members voted to retain their Union representation. 

As I have started keeping up with the internal issues in the Sheriff's Office, two Unions (1 for Sworn Deputy Sheriff's, 1 for Correctional Deputies) were retained by a commanding vote and the third Union (for Correctional Supervisors) did not pass, but support increased by 30% more than the previous year's vote. 

There are obviously internal problems with the Sheriff's Office management and people skills.  Insiders tell me the problems extend to a severe lack of law enforcement experience by command staff members and an arrogant attitude that the public loves Rick Beseler so department members opinions and experience do not matter.  

I wonder how much better the community would be served by the CCSO if the Sheriff worked with his people and promoted experienced professionals rather than friends from the State Attorney's Office.