Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

City officials question PD car policies

The question of whether officers with the Prescott Police Department should have take-home vehicles became the topic of discussion during the January meeting of the Prescott City Council meeting.

The issue was brought up by Councilman Jerry Wilson who cited concerns over the cost of the practice.

Prescott Police Chief Brian Russell said three officers - Larry Miller who is sergeant of the patrol division, K9 Officer Jamie Yarbrough and PPD Detective David Thomason - have take-home cars. Russell said Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor approved the plan.

Russell cited reasons each had a take-home car. He said that Thomason is subject to be called to crime scenes anywhere in the county and that he has everything necessary for crime scene investigation in his car. Russell said it would be a waste of time if Thomason were called out after hours and had to return to the PPD to pick up what he needs before responding to a crime scene.

Wilson said the items could remain in the car and Thomason could drive to Prescott in his personal vehicle to pick up the city police car.

In the case of Yarbrough, the car is equipped for the citys K9, Duchess. Russell said that car cannot be used for transporting prisoners and that Yarbrough is also subject to be called out by city or state police. In this case, traveling to Prescott to pick up the vehicle then returning to pick up the dog would take significant time.

Russell said Miller is subject to be called out any time an officer is unavailable to work or unable to complete a shift. He said the Millers time at work begins when he enters the city limits. Anyone who is called in and drives their personal vehicle is considered on the clock from the moment he or she leaves home.

Wilson said he believes it is costing the city substantially for the three officers to have vehicles to drive to and from work on a daily basis. Miller lives in the southern part of Nevada County while Yarbrough and Thomason both live in Hempstead County near Hope, according to Russell.

Wilson pointed out that the full cost is more than the price of gas, it includes wear and maintenance.

I dont think the money is the issue here, said Russell.

Wilson said he believes officers should drive their personal vehicles to and from work.

Taylor said, The big issue is effectiveness and the safety of our community.

I make a motion we take the cars away and start paying from the time they leave home, Wilson said. If it dies for lack of a second, Ive done all I can to tell the people of Prescott whats going on.

There was no second and other council members said they didnt want to take a stand that might cause officers to resign.

We need to figure out how to compensate them, said Councilman James Cornelius. If we just jerk the cars out from under them  theyre likely to quit.

Russell said his officers have not asked for raises despite the fact that they are paid less than most surrounding departments. He said he wouldnt speak for them on the question of whether any might quit over the issue.

At Corneliuss request, Russell agreed to figure the cost of the take-home vehicles.

In other business, the council approved a resolution granting 10 acres and $100,000 to a company called Tiger Cat to aid in their location at the Nevada County Industrial Park. The company plans to hire six employees initially with the chance of eventually raising that to 12. The citys money will not be granted until the end of the building project. The property is located near the north end of Ron Harrod Drive.

Taylor announced that the demolition of the former Nevada County Hospital should begin soon by a company that will do the work in exchange for salvage rights.