{"id":2316560,"date":"2024-07-31T09:58:59","date_gmt":"2024-07-31T13:58:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pierce-county-council-split-on-sheriffs-department-being-featured-on-cops-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-07-31T10:05:55","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T14:05:55","slug":"pierce-county-council-split-on-sheriffs-department-being-featured-on-cops-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pierce-county-council-split-on-sheriffs-department-being-featured-on-cops-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Pierce County Council split on sheriff\u2019s department being featured on \u2018Cops\u2019 &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpierce-county-council-split-on-sheriffs-department-being-featured-on-cops-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2316560&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Pierce County Sheriff\u2019s Department is\u200d set to be featured\u200d in\u200c the next season of the reality TV show \u200c&#8221;Cops,&#8221; sparking a divided response among\u2062 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-sheriffs-tell-newsom-they-wont-enforce-covid-curfew\/\" title=\"California Sheriffs Tell Newsom They Won&#039;t Enforce COVID Curfew\">county officials<\/a> regarding its potential impact on recruitment. While some \u200cbelieve that exposure on\u2063 the show could attract new recruits to address \u200bstaffing\u200b shortages\u2014pointing out that the department is one of\u2064 the lowest \u200bstaffed in \u200cthe U.S.\u2014others, like Council Chair Ryan Mello, express skepticism. Mello argues that the \u2063show may\u2063 create \u2062a misleading perception of crime levels in\u200b the area, potentially undermining ongoing efforts \u2064to promote \u200cthe county as a safe place for residents \u2063and businesses. The department has\u2062 seen a decrease in \u200cpositions,\u200b with numbers dropping from 414 to 402 in the upcoming budget, in contrast to neighboring King\u2062 County,\u200b which has \u2063more than 1,100 sheriff&#8217;s positions. The\u2064 community and council are grappling \u200cwith the implications\u2064 of this media\u2062 exposure amid ongoing staffing challenges.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Pierce County Council split on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oregon-governor-encourages-people-to-call-police-on-neighbors-violating-covid-orders\/\" title=\"Oregon Governor Encourages People To Call Police On Neighbors Violating COVID Orders\">sheriff&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s department being featured on &lsquo;Cops&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1717954\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; The Pierce County Sheriff&rsquo;s Department will be featured on the next season of the reality television show &ldquo;Cops,&rdquo; and county officials are split on whether or not this will help the department in its recruitment efforts.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.king5.com\/article\/news\/local\/pierce-county-deputies-featured-cops-tv-show\/281-ef5c1126-57c4-4132-8597-493b18b5f918\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>KING 5<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;first reported on the Pierce County Sheriff&rsquo;s Department being featured on the next season of the long-running show. The department told KING 5 that being on the show could help the department attract recruits.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/washington\/article_e44bf928-9b81-11ee-b0ae-a7cd854d69a6.html#:~:text=The%20department's%20law%20enforcement%20branch,positions%20in%20its%20sheriff's%20department.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Last December<\/strong><\/a>, Deputy Jeff Papen said that the Pierce County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office is one of the lowest staffed departments in the country.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>At that time, the county had 771 full-time employees related to public safety. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/just-in-floyd-county-georgia-terminates-election-director-after-statewide-audit-discovers-uncounted-votes\/\" title=\"JUST IN: Floyd County, Georgia Terminates Election Director After Statewide Audit Discovers Uncounted Votes\">county&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s law enforcement branch saw the number of positions drop from 414 FTEs in the 2022-2023 budget year to 402 set for the 2024-2025 budget year. For context, neighboring King County, Washington state&rsquo;s most populated county, had 1,125 positions in its sheriff&rsquo;s department at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>The prospect of Pierce County deputies being on &ldquo;Cops&rdquo; has drawn mixed reactions from members of the Pierce County Council.<\/p>\n<p>Council Chair Ryan Mello said he is skeptical that the show can help the county attract professionals needed to improve safety in the region and is instead a distraction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;What the show &lsquo;Cops&rsquo; does is take isolated incidents and creates a perception that this kind of violent crime is happening all across the county. It is not,&rdquo; Mello told The Center Square in an email. &ldquo;This takes away from all the work we are doing to make this a great place to do business, work and raise a family.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Mello mentioned the county council&rsquo;s previous work to compensate sheriff&rsquo;s deputies and invest in recruitment and retention bonuses as better ways to recruit and retain deputies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>On the other side of the argument, Pierce County Councilmember Amy Cruver views the sheriff&rsquo;s department&rsquo;s presence on the show as &ldquo;an ideal opportunity&rdquo; to showcase what deputies deal with during a routine patrol.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Cruver said that the show is informative and that viewers can see the issues facing the county and come up with their own opinions and potential solutions based on what &ldquo;Cops&rdquo; showcases.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Portraying reality is not exploiting those in a troubled season of life; it&rsquo;s informative to the public,&rdquo; Cruver emailed The Center Square. &ldquo;Perhaps this kind of publicity will spur more ideas for dealing with dangerous or hazardous situations, validate the need to review current laws for ones that will better protect the public, hold the lawless accountable, and prioritize the need for effective services to address mental health concerns.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The sheriff&rsquo;s office did not respond to The Center Square&rsquo;s request for comment by the time of publication.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1717954\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1717954\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Pierce County Council is divided over the decision to feature the sheriff&#8217;s department on the upcoming season of the reality TV show &#8220;Cops.&#8221; While some county officials believe this exposure could aid in recruitment, others are skeptical. KING 5 initially reported that the sheriff&#8217;s department hopes being on the show will attract new recruits. Deputy Jeff Papen noted last December that their office is among the least staffed in the nation, with only 771 full-time public safety employees at that time. The number of law enforcement positions has decreased from 414 full-time equivalents (FTEs) in the 2022-2023 budget to a projected 402 for 2024-2025. In contrast, neighboring King County had 1,125 positions available during this period.<\/p>\n<p>Council Chair Ryan Mello expressed doubt about whether &#8220;Cops&#8221; would effectively recruit professionals needed to enhance regional safety, suggesting it might instead serve as a distraction. He argued that such shows create a misleading perception of widespread violent crime and detract from efforts to improve community conditions for business and family life. Mello emphasized previous council initiatives aimed at increasing deputy compensation and offering recruitment bonuses as more effective strategies.<\/p>\n<p>Conversely, Councilmember Amy Cruver sees participation in &#8220;Cops&#8221; as an excellent opportunity to highlight what deputies encounter during their patrols. She believes that viewers can gain insights into local issues through the show&#8217;s portrayal and potentially develop solutions based on what they observe. Cruver stated that showcasing reality does not exploit individuals facing difficulties but rather informs the public about pressing matters like mental health services and law enforcement accountability.<\/p>\n<p>The sheriff\u2019s office did not provide comments before publication time regarding this matter<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2316561,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP24143572744353-1.jpg.optimal.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[5676,36757,36758,32880],"class_list":["post-2316560","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-cops","tag-pierce-county-council","tag-police-accountability","tag-sheriffs-department"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP24143572744353-1.jpg.optimal.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2316560","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2316560"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2316560\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2316561"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2316560"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2316560"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2316560"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}