LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Clark County Commissioners voted on a proposal that may create new jobs for the juvenile detention heart, however some are calling the transfer an effort in “union busting.”
On Tuesday, John Muños, Director of the Division of Juvenile Companies (DJJS), instructed the fee the introduction of juvenile detention specialists to work alongside extremely skilled juvenile probation officers (JPOs) was an effort to fill vacancies.
“I want to emphasize this proposal is not about diminishing the role of JPOs or eroding professional standards,” Muños stated. “On the contrary, this initiative is about enhancing our department’s ability to serve both our youth and our dedicated officers more effectively.”
President of the Juvenile Justice Probation Officers Affiliation and 28-year officer, Kevin Eppenger, stated the police union views the proposal as a “union busting” measure which is searching for to fill vacancies with non-union positions.
“There’s 97 commissioned staff which are budgeted to work at the detention facility, and they voted to bring on 10 juvenile detention specialists,” Eppenger stated. “From what that is, non-commissioned officers [will] come in and do the work of commissioned officers in the juvenile facility with juvenile offenders.”
President of the Juvenile Justice Probation Officers Affiliation and 28-year officer, Kevin Eppenger, stated the police union views the proposal as a “union busting” measure which is searching for to fill vacancies with non-union positions. (KLAS)
The proposal, which was accepted Tuesday unanimously by the county, will create 10 juvenile detention specialists, and three household service specialists, and remove 39 vacant positions. Eppenger expressed issues that the non-union staff would lack the coaching and schooling of present workers, pointing to related efforts on the Clark County Detention Middle.
“We go through rigorous training, eight to 12-week academy—we’re all post-certified,” he stated. “We’re required to maintain our post certification throughout the year, the department does offer a lot of training and just the overall just the overall experience and the quality that commission officers bring.”
Muños stated the proposal will not be a union-busting effort, noting union positions can be made out there after the present positions are stuffed, and known as the proposal a forward-thinking step.
On Tuesday, John Muños, Director of the Division of Juvenile Companies (DJJS), instructed the fee the introduction of juvenile detention specialists to work alongside extremely skilled juvenile probation officers (JPOs) was an effort to fill vacancies. (Clark County)
“They will not take on the core responsibilities of JPOs in the field,” Muños stated. “There is no plan, I say again, no plan to reduce the number of JPO positions in our department.”
A few of the new positions will likely be set to require a school diploma, background examine, and private historical past questionnaire, in keeping with Muños.
Eppenger stated, following the county’s vote, the police union plans to file a grievance to the Nevada Division of Companies and Business Authorities Worker-Administration Relations Board.
