Vote goes against state parole chief

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998 | 11:20 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Carlos Concha, director of the state Parole and Probation Division, says he was surprised by the overwhelming "no confidence" vote given him by his officers in Reno. The vote was taken because officers are unhappy about limits on overtime and mileage and a cutback on drug testing of parolees.

More than 90 percent of the 44 officers who voted expressed "no confidence" in Concha and his policies, and about 80 percent voted against district administrator Dorla Salling, the Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs said Monday. Fifty-three officers were eligible to vote, the conference said.

"This clearly indicates there are some very serious problems in this state division," said conference President Andy Anderson. "It is very unusual to see such an underpaid police officer group putting job concerns at a higher priority than pay or benefit issues."

Kathy Naumann, full-service coordinator for the conference, said that while the vote was taken only in the Reno district, the problems are more acute in Southern Nevada. She said officials of her association want to meet with the transition team of Gov.-elect Kenny Guinn to talk about the conditions in the agency and noted the group has "a strong relationship" with Guinn.

The conference is not necessarily seeking Concha's removal, Naumann said. "This is not about head-hunting. The officers need to be listened to in finding the solutions."

Concha, who has been with the agency for 25 years and its chief since April, said the officers are complaining about something he has no control over -- money. "I've got a job to do and I have to stay within my budget unless the Legislature gives us carte blanche, and that's not going to happen."

The division must save $600,000 to keep from going in the red.

The division has run into budget constraints, Concha said, because officers have not collected $30 a month from each parolee or probationer, which is charged for their supervision.

To save money, officers piled up $700,000 in overtime in the present two-year budget cycle. That's $500,000 over budget.

Concha limited extraditions of parolees or probationers who flee to other states. Concha says he won't spent the money to send officers to bring home a nonviolent offender who has only a gross misdemeanor or one who has completed his probation period.

He also limited drug testing on probationers. There are six tests for six different drugs. He wants the testing done only for the drugs the probationer has used or is suspected of using, rather than going through the full examination.

He also limited parole and probation officers to 750 miles a month, as opposed to the former limit of 1,000 miles. Concha said he feels adequate checking on parolees and probationers can be accomplished within that limit.

None of the cutbacks threaten public safety, he said.

Concha said he has been trying to correct the shortage of officers in Las Vegas. This year, 50 officers have graduated from the training academy in Southern Nevada and were subsequently hired, he said.

Concha questioned the tally on the ballot. "A number of people I talked to didn't even submit their ballot," he said. In addition, he said, the Reno office does not even have 53 officers assigned to it. He is asking the conference for a breakdown of the vote.