Warnke expected to name new undersheriff in next two weeks

The search for a new Merced County undersheriff has narrowed to two finalists, and Sheriff Vern Warnke on Wednesday said he expects to announce the appointment within the next two weeks.

The sheriff confirmed both candidates already work at the Sheriff’s Department, but he declined to name them.

The search produced 11 candidates, Warnke said. Most were from within California, but the candidates also included an FBI agent from Chicago and another candidate from Texas.

A panel of three outside sheriffs – Margaret Mims from Fresno County, Jay Varney from Madera County and Ingrid Braun from Mono County – graded the candidates on law enforcement philosophies, knowledge and whether those sheriffs would hire the candidates in their own departments.

The department will benefit from hiring within for many reasons, Warnke said.

“It shows the quality of individuals we have working here,” he said. “It also shows everyone working here that they have opportunities to advance.”

Understaffing issues have plagued the Sheriff’s Department in recent years. The department in July hired seven deputies and a deputy coroner, but still had 13 job openings. Warnke hoped to fill those vacancies and fully staff his department. However, vacancies have since swelled and the department this week reported 22 vacancies.

The undersheriff assists the sheriff in overseeing all aspects of the department and its approximately 300 employees, from operations – including patrol, investigations and court security – to the coroner’s division and the jail. The undersheriff works on budgets, formal departmental policies, employee discipline and planning. The undersheriff also runs the department in the sheriff’s absence.

According to the county’s job description, the position pays $107,452.80 to $130,707.20 per year.

When Warnke announces who he will hire as undersheriff, that will create a “chain reaction” for others to apply for higher-ranking vacant positions, he said. “It will allow for a lot of movement within the department and will be good for morale.”

Warnke included hiring retired sheriff’s Sgt. Suzzette Norris as undersheriff as part of his campaign last year, but Norris did not meet the minimum requirements on her job application. Since then, the sheriff’s department has conducted a nationwide search for its No. 2 in command.

In June, the Merced County Board of Supervisors adjusted the qualifications for the undersheriff’s position at Warnke’s request. Warnke said the job qualifications were not lowered, but updated. Norris did not meet the minimum qualifications after the adjustment.

The adjusted qualifications require two years of experience at a position equivalent to that of a lieutenant and allow the new undersheriff two years to obtain a middle-management certificate, instead of requiring the certificate beforehand.

Retired sheriff Tom Cavallero has served in the undersheriff position in the meantime. He will remain in that position until it is filled.

This story was originally published September 23, 2015 at 7:09 PM with the headline "Warnke expected to name new undersheriff in next two weeks."