Newsletter #167 – The Pride of Texas | |
Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez: | |
Last week, the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) honored exceptional deputies, detention officers, and teammates for their courage, selflessness, and unwavering dedication to serving their community. The commendation ceremony reflected our team members' incredible work across our agency, day in and day out. I am truly humbled to work alongside phenomenal public servants. | | |
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Nearly 115 recipients distinguished themselves through sacrificial service and heroic acts on duty. Their efforts earned them awards for bravery, lifesaving, leadership, and excellent and persistent police work.
We extend our sincere gratitude to their families. They know their loved one is performing a vital and sometimes dangerous job. This accomplishment also belongs to them.
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We have an opportunity to make an impact every day in our profession. We thank our teammates for their hard work, loyalty, and commitment to keeping our communities safe. Congratulations on this accomplishment! Keep up the fantastic work!
In Case You Missed The Ceremony
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As promised, I am updating everyone on our progress toward attaining the significant pay increases that all our HCSO teammates deserve.
On Tuesday, August 22, 2023, I asked the Harris County Commissioners Court to prioritize these considerable pay increases in the upcoming budget. I will continue advocating for all the public servants in our agency because our community’s safety depends on you. Thanks to all of you for your service and dedication.
Please click here to watch the video of my remarks.
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Suicide Prevention Month: One Conversation Can Change a Life | |
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Our Harris County Sheriff's Office family understands how crucial it is for everyone to care about their mental well-being. Our mental health can influence how we think, feel, and act. We take great pride in actively addressing behavioral health issues in Harris County through meaningful partnerships, specialized training, and model programs. We strive daily to serve residents compassionately while prioritizing our community’s safety.
In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we remember those we have lost and come together to raise awareness around a complex topic. It’s a time to support those affected by suicide, share memories of loved ones, reduce the stigma through education, and encourage those needing help and resources.
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HCSO Behavioral Health Division | |
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The mission of the Behavioral Health Division is to provide quality behavioral health services and support to our employees and their families through evaluation, consultation, and counseling.
Services are free and confidential. For information or to make an appointment, call 346-286-3150 (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.). Remote visits are available. Click here for the Behavioral Health Division Brochure.
We are here to listen and support. If you need help, it is ok to ask, it is ok to share, it is ok to be vulnerable. You are not alone.
Thanks for doing your part to raise awareness around mental health and suicide prevention. While there is no single cause for suicide, there are risk factors and warning signs we can learn. And we can stand together to build a world rooted in neighbors helping neighbors. It can save lives.
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Have a Safe Labor Day Weekend! | |
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The Labor Day holiday is a moment for us to reflect on our daily dedication and commitment to our profession and an opportunity to celebrate our contributions to our agency.
The work you do every day is important and maintains a safe community for Harris County residents. Your countless individual and collective efforts make a difference.
This weekend, we’re encouraging everyone to celebrate this memorable holiday responsibly by making a plan before the festivities begin. We have joined forces with multiple law enforcement partners ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend to crack down on drunk drivers across the county.
Our teammates will be out in full force to identify and arrest motorists who choose to get behind the wheel while under the influence.
On Labor Day – and every day – we honor the hardworking women and men in our agency. Thank you for your service. Have a fun-filled and safe holiday weekend with your loved ones.
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Have you ever wondered what music Sheriff Ed Gonzalez listens to? You don't have to wonder anymore! Sheriff Gonzalez is sharing his favorite songs leading into Labor Day weekend.
Plug in your headphones, press play, and let the good vibes flow! Get ready to sing along, dance like nobody's watching, or simply relax and unwind to some amazing tunes. Have a wonderful and safe Labor Day Weekend and thank you for your service!
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Want to help us catch criminals and solve crimes using your surveillance cameras? Join our SafeCam Program! The program allows residents and businesses to register their surveillance cameras voluntarily.
If you have a private exterior security camera, you can participate and register your camera with SafeCam by clicking here. Thank you for helping us make our county a safer place.
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"He served 23 years with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office before his life was taken. Now his memory will live on in the form of a community center that will celebrate his life.
Harris County Precinct 2 announcing that the Northeast Community Center located at 10918 1/2 Bentley in Houston had been renamed, “The Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center”, in honor of Deputy Darren Almendarez. He was shot and killed on March 31, 2022, when he was off duty and interrupted three men attempting to steal a catalytic converter from his vehicle, in a grocery store parking lot."
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"With Harris County finalizing next year’s budget in the coming weeks, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez is calling on members of Commissioners Court to boost funding at the jail and come up with a plan to increase pay for patrol and detention officers.
Under the budget office’s proposal, which was presented to Commissioners Court on Tuesday, the budget for the jail would grow from $254 million to $291 million, while the sheriff’s office allocation for patrol and administration would increase from $258 million to $290 million."
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"At 7 feet tall, twice the weight of a pickup truck with bulletproof glass and metal, "The Rook" has become an integral part of the Tactical Response Unit at the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
"I would say 'The Rook' is an absolute gamechanger in law enforcement, for the safety of our personnel and for the safety of citizens," explained Lt. Bryan Buccini. "We can use negotiations. We can use chemical munitions. We can use robots and drones. This is just another tool in our tool box.""
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Suicide Prevention Month Facebook Live: There's Always a Better Path With Care, Resources, and Support. You Are Not Alone. | |
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In honor of Suicide Prevention Month HCSO will be hosting a discussion on suicide prevention resources next Friday, September 8 at 1 p.m. via our Facebook page. Don't miss it.
If you are worried about a loved one who is having suicidal thoughts, or if you need help, please call 988 or 911.
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HCSO Teammate of the Week | |
Teammates of the Week: Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and HCSO highlight teammates who go above and beyond. | |
Do you know someone looking for a job? We're Hiring! Visit HCSOJobs.com or call 713-877-5250 to apply today! | |
Thirty-two incarcerated residents graduated from various programs aimed at preparing them for success once they are released. Congratulations to these women! | |
We're sharing the story of Trisha Cornett, a 42-year-old Women's Empowerment Center incarcerated resident. "The Women's Empowerment Center has been a life-changing experience," said Trisha. | |
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We look forward to coming together again for National Night Out festivities on October 3 and celebrating the true meaning of this tradition – community.
If your neighborhood plans on participating, please click here to register.
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Do you like to ride bicycles? Join HCSO on September 24, for the Pedal for the Call! The goal is to raise public awareness of police suicides in the nation and raise funds for the nonprofit organization COPLine. Please click here to register. | |
To all retirees, we thank you for your years of service to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Congratulations on your retirement, and best of luck on the next chapter in your life. | |
Let's Work Together: HCSO Employee Representative Council | |
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Earlier this week HCSO hosted the Employee Representative Council (ERC) General Membership Quarterly Meetings. There was a meeting held for the Detention Command and one for the Law Enforcement Command, Administrative Operations Command, and all other Direct Report areas.
The ERC is designed to encourage team members to bring forth ideas and solutions to improve their work environment. In addition, the ERC assists in developing policies and procedures acceptable to employees while adhering to the HCSO’s mission, values, ethics, and guiding principles.
The Employee Representative Council encourages the identification and resolution of issues at the lowest possible level of authority. To learn more or for any questions please send an email to ERC@sheriff.hctx.net.
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Sick Leave Pool Program – Registration Period | |
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Commissioners Court established a Sick Leave Pool Program to assist eligible Harris County employees who are experiencing a hardship due to their own catastrophic injury or illness and have exhausted all accrued paid leave.
Eligible employees will be able to donate leave to the Sick Leave Pool Program through the STARS Employee Self-Service (ESS) starting on August 26, 2023 through September 22, 2023.
Donations to the Sick Leave Pool are strictly voluntary. To be eligible to receive up to 480 hours of Catastrophic Leave from the Pool, you may donate a minimum of 8 hours of sick and/or vacation leave (and a maximum of 40 hours) to the Sick Leave Pool. Employees who donate hours during the registration period will be eligible to utilize the Pool from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024.
*Please note: The donation cannot cause the employee’s combined sick and vacation leave balance to fall below 40 hours.
For information on how to donate sick and vacation leave to the Pool via the STARS Employee Self Service (ESS) during the registration period, please see the attached ESS – Donating Time to the Sick Leave Pool, Job Aid.
For additional information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the attached flyer and visit our website at: http://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Human-Resources/Sick-Leave-Pool-Program.
If you have any questions, please contact Anne Garza at (713) 274-5440, Erica Gomez at (713) 274-5528, and Kenya Johnson at (713) 274-5446 or you may send an email to SickLeavePool@harriscountytx.gov.
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Mandatory Agency Training ABLE | |
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The Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) is a mandatory eight (8) hour training for all HCSO personnel. The eight (8) hour ABLE training is only mandated to be taken once so if you have not taken it, please ensure you are signed up for a class before the end of the year. Please see below for dates. You can log into the Academy website and register yourself. For questions please feel free to contact Deputy Steven Church via email or Deputy Alfred Herdon via email.
Deputy Steven Church – steven.church@sheriff.hctx.net
Deputy Alfred Herdon – Alfred.herdon@sheriff.hctx.net
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Miss Our Last Newsletter? | |
Newsletter #166 - HCSO Revamps Newsletter | Newsletter #166 - HCSO Revamps Newsletter Visit the Harris County Sheriff's Office Homepage Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez: I hope this message finds you all in good health and high spirits. On Wed | | | | | | |
