On November 12, 2009, Sheriff Stanley Glanz along with four other representatives of the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) Executive Board of Directors, were honored to be chosen to attend a meeting with the United States Vice-President Joe Biden and the United States Attorney General Eric Holder. The meeting was scheduled to discuss issues and concerns affecting law enforcement nationwide. This meeting took place in the Roosevelt Room of the Presidential White House in Washington D.C., which is the same room that the President of the United States uses when meeting with his Cabinet. The meeting began with a general introduction from NSA Executive Director Sheriff Arron Kennard (Retired). During the opening, Sheriff Kennard introduced NSA current President Sheriff John E. Zaruba from Dupage County, Illinois. Sheriff Zaruba initiated the group dialogue by highlighting the specific issues of discussion, which included: the COPS Hiring Program (CHRP), the Crime Commission Bill sponsored by United States Senator Jim Webb, drug policies and the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).

     Sheriff John Carry Bittick, from Monroe County, Georgia, introduced discussions regarding the Federal COPS Hiring Program and its overall impact across the nation. Sheriff Bittick outlined specific deficiencies within the program and its implementation. The COPS Hiring Program is one of the most prominent federal programs for law enforcement agencies, and the only one available to assist with the rising cost of hiring law enforcement professionals. Sheriff Bittick stated a case of how Sheriff’s Offices are some of the most financially challenged agencies, yet receive little of the monies available to fund new positions. Sheriff Bittick showed that, according to Federal records, out of the 7,272 CHRP applications received, only 1,046 or 14.5% of the requests were awarded. Out of this number, 1,203 were requested, by Sheriff’s Offices with only 77 agencies or 6.4% receiving funding compared to the 909 requests that were awarded to police departments. Vice-President Biden (author of the CHRP in 1994 while in Congress) believes that the prerequisites used to determine eligibility gave preference towards police departments and the funding they received were intended to be stimulus monies. The formula used to determine eligibility is different from the formula previously used in the past.

Vice-President Biden committed to working toward securing more funding through this program for Sheriff’s Offices and ensures that funds are proportionately distributed. Attorney General Holder concurred with the thoughts of the Vice–President.   

     Sheriff Mike Leidholt, from Hughs County, South Dakota, introduced dialogue on the Crime Commission Bill being sponsored by U.S. Senator Jim Webb (D-VA). This bill is being sponsored in order to take a comprehensive look at the entire criminal justice system at the federal, state and local level and to provide to congress recommendations on areas that need improvement. The Crime Commission Bill has strong support by the Obama Administration but has faced some criticism from numerous law enforcement agencies including the NSA. The panel discussion concurred that a very conservative comprehensive examination of the language would have to occur before all sides would agree on the changes. 

     Sheriff Larry A. Dever, from Cochise County, Arizona, was selected to discuss the drug policies affiliated with state and federal jurisdictions. Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) have introduced legislation in Congress that would significantly reduce the sentences imposed on offenders involved with crack cocaine and create a 1:1 ratio in convictions associated with powder cocaine. The NSA officially opposed the legislation but agreed that further research should be conducted on the sentencing disparity between the two dangerous narcotics. The topic of medical marijuana was also discussed. In regards to this topic, Attorney General Holder announced formal guidelines for federal prosecutors to follow in states where medical marijuana is legal. Currently there are fourteen states that have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes. At this time the government believes that it should remain at the state level and the federal government should eliminate their protectoral involvement. The NSA did not take an official stance on this topic; however, it is being tabled for the NSA Drug Enforcement Committee during the 2010 Winter Conference.

     Sheriff Stanley Glanz, from Tulsa County, Oklahoma, was chosen to discuss issues involving the very costly Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). PREA is an act that originated in 2003 and that created a national commission to study the policies and practices regarding the prevention, detection, response and monitoring of sexual abuse in federal, state and local incarceration facilities. On behalf of the NSA executive panel, Sheriff Glanz discussed how costly it would be to add the necessary requirements for the implementation of the program to already burdened correctional facilities. Additionally, PREA imposes significant standards that make the assumption that jails and prisons operate in similar manners. Sheriff Glanz pointed out that establishing a commission that imposes standards and audits for compliance, forces local facilities to face the possibility of increased and unnecessary frivolous litigation. He also suggested that the implementation of PREA would be extremely burdensome to smaller facilities. The other NSA members present concurred with Sheriff Glanz based upon the concerns relative to their respective facilities. Attorney General Holder determined that all the information would be examined by his office before discussing the issue in greater detail.

     Sheriff Glanz truly believes that being invited to the Nation’s Capitol to speak on such significant issues facing the future of law enforcement in this country was a historical event. After the official one and a half hour meeting, Vice-President Biden and Attorney General Holder remained with the attendees taking pictures and visiting. Upon returning home, the Sheriff shared an event that had greatly impressed him. The President of the NSA brought his fifteen year old son with him to witness this historical event hosted by two of America’s most prominent leaders. Vice-President Biden was so impressed with the young man’s attendance that at the conclusion of the event, he took him to his office and wrote his teacher a note asking that the young man be excused from school for that day. Sheriff Glanz was awed at the candor and simplicity displayed by two of our nations’ leaders.

     Sheriff Glanz expressed how privileged and honored he felt to be selected to talk before such distinguished ranking Presidential Cabinet members on topics that potentially could effect every law enforcement agency in America. Sheriff Glanz recognized that his selection was partially based on his involvement with the NSA Executive Board. However, he also attributes this honor to his continued contributions to the American Correctional Association and the National Institute of Corrections. After attending this meeting, Sheriff Glanz feels a renewed respect for both the Vice-President and the Attorney General of the United States. The Sheriff expressed how comfortable the meeting was and that the entire White House staff went out of their way to make them feel welcomed and accepted.

Sergeant Shannon Clark