San Jose
– Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith spoke on behalf of
public safety personnel statewide as an expert witness regarding
the California Performance Review Commission’s recommendation to
establish a state Department of Public Safety and Homeland
Security.
San Jose – Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith spoke on behalf of public safety personnel statewide as an expert witness regarding the California Performance Review Commission’s recommendation to establish a state Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who established the CPR, asked Smith to speak before the commission Friday.
Overall, Smith called the proposed changes “dramatic and positive” but criticized the CPR’s reorganization plan. The recommended authority structure is confusing, lacks a defined command structure, duplicates functions and fails to establish each agencies mission and align its duties appropriately, she said.
As an example, Smith criticized placing state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control officers on state and federal anti-terrorism task forces, saying they should focus on enforcing the ABC Act.
“Although I agree that there is a need to create a Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security, I believe that there needs to be a more in-depth analysis,” Smith said Friday.
