Warnke requests to change qualifications for Merced undersheriff position

Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke has requested the Board of Supervisors change the qualifications for the undersheriff’s position, taking his first formal steps toward installing a retired sergeant as undersheriff.

Warnke has openly stated his preference to hire retired sheriff’s Sgt. Suzzette Norris as his undersheriff and made it a part of his campaign last year. Warnke’s support of Norris was questioned after it was revealed that she never held a command-level position in law enforcement, a job requirement Warnke hopes to change.

“The plan is still in place to have (Norris) in that position,” Warnke told the Sun-Star on Monday. “I’m definitely hoping it comes to fruition.”

Norris’ abilities to do the job were not questioned by Warnke’s campaign opponents, many of whom described her as a talented and well-respected investigator. Norris has also been teaching law enforcement at Merced College since her retirement.

Her qualifications on paper, however, did not appear to meet to the minimum requirements for the undersheriff position, which include two years of command-level experience and a middle-management certificate from the state’s committee on Peace Officers Standards and Training.

That will likely change Tuesday should the Board of Supervisors adopt the proposed budget, which includes those adjustments. The changes will not affect the pay offered for the undersheriff job, which ranges from $105,892 to about $128,793, according to county records.

Mike North, Merced County’s spokesman, said the changes essentially amount to “cleanup language,” as the sheriff’s department has not had any commanders for several years, relying instead on captains performing those duties.

The new qualifications, if adopted, would require two years’ experience at a position equivalent to that of a lieutenant. The changes would allow the new undersheriff two years to obtain a middle management certificate, instead of requiring the certificate before taking the job, North said.

Warnke noted the wording of the qualifications was outdated and said requirements for the position were not being lowered, just updated. Warnke also noted he never a held a command-level position before he was elected sheriff.

“It needs to be updated,” Warnke said. “It’s strange that, on paper, I’m qualified to be sheriff, but not qualified to be a lieutenant.”

The sheriff brushed off concerns over the possible perception of changing the job requirements simply to hire the veteran investigator and law enforcement teacher.

“It’s very important that people understand we’re simply trying to get the very best people in here to help train the next generation of law enforcement that will replace us,” Warnke said. “It’s an open position and I’ve encouraged her to apply. If she meets all the criteria, I’d like her in there in a leadership position. But I won’t just get a friend a job. That is not what this is.”

Warnke confirmed he alone will be interviewing potential candidates for the position, after applications are vetted by the county Human Resources Department. Warnke praised Norris’ qualifications and leadership abilities and said he would hire “the best person for the job.”

“At least 90 percent of the other counties do it this way, with the sheriff appointing an undersheriff,” Warnke said. “We want to modify this so it opens the door a little wider as far as who’d I’d be able to chose. But (applicants) still have to meet the minimum qualifications.”

This story was originally published June 15, 2015 at 7:21 PM with the headline "Warnke requests to change qualifications for Merced undersheriff position."