Crime Victims United of California and the El Dorado County Deputy Sheriffs' Association joined forces at a press conference Tuesday to protest El Dorado Sheriff John D'Agostini for putting the public in danger by shifting experienced detectives out of the investigations unit.
In a press release, the DSA expressed "grave concerns" that "Sheriff D’Agostini’s new rotational policy on detective positions will undermine the department’s ability to successfully investigate cases and bring justice to victims and their families." DSA President Todd Crawford noted "Our department had a rotational detective policy before,” but had "over 40 unsolved homicides" under that policy.
CVUC echoed the DSA's concerns, expressing "outrage Sheriff D’Agostini has chosen to risk the public safety of the Citizens of El Dorado County" with the policy change. CVUC's press release also announced "Crime Victims United stands with the men and women of the El Dorado County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association" on the issue.
News outlets throughout Northern California covered the press conference, including the Modesto Bee, KCRA, the Sacramento Bee, and CBS13. According to news reports, the policy "is a move victims say will hurt victims who have already suffered enough."
The DSA has filed a grievance over the unilateral policy change. Mastagni Law attorneys David E. Mastagni and BJ Pierce represents the DSA in the matter. Follow updates to this story by subscribing to the California Public Safety Labor Blog.
Watch the news video here.
