There is controversy brewing in the Pinal County Sheriff’s office regarding a new proposal by Sheriff Paul Babeu regarding command staff.  The January 9, 2013 Pinal County Board of Supervisors’ meeting agenda includes an item labeled as follows:  ”Discussion/approval/disapproval to re-classify all command staff level leaders in PCSO to an uncovered or At-Will status” The policy change  ”will have no financial impact on the general fund” according to the agenda.

The Supervisors voted to continue the item until next month. Supervisor Todd House said he received correspondence both for and against the measure and wanted more time to review the proposal. The Board unanimously voted to wait on a vote.

The State Bar of Arizona website indicates “The majority of private sector workers in Arizona are employees “at-will.” Employment on an “at-will” basis means the employment is not covered by a written contract or bargaining agreement and the employment relationship may be ended at any time by either the employee or the employer, with or without cause.

What specific rights can be claimed from At-Will public sector employees is not clear and would be specific to the government agency.

Captain Karns submitted a letter to several media outlets expressing his displeasure with the policy change. A link to the letter is provided from the Arizona Daily Star.