Posted: 5/30/07
County board denies Swedbergís request for FBI training
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Stating they didnít feel the county could afford to pay his salary for 10 weeks, and the overtime it would require during his absence, the Houston County Board unanimously denied Lt. Brian Swedbergís request to attend a law enforcement training school at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The action took place at the May 22 county board meeting.
Swedberg, who is a member of the Houston County Sheriffís Department, brought his request to the county board during the May 8 meeting. After listening to his presentation, commissioners decided they needed more time to review the request, and tabled it for two weeks.
Swedberg had been nominated to the selection committee four years ago when Mike Lee served as county sheriff. According to Swedberg, the selection committee reviews many applications each year, and most applicants are not selected the first year they apply. Only one-half of one percent of the persons who apply for the school are accepted.
The 10-week school would be held from Sept. 30 until Dec. 14 of this year. A total of 250 peace officers world-wide will be attending the school, which is different from classes taken by persons wishing to become FBI agents.
The costs involved in attending the school would be covered by the FBI, including transportation, lodging, food, and all education supplies.
County commissioners were impressed with the fact Swedberg was accepted to such a prestigious school, and agreed the training he received would be quite advantageous for the Sheriffís Department. They did, however wonder how the department would cover Swedbergís absence for 10 weeks.
"The cost to the county for you being gone for 10 weeks is about $10,000 plus the overtime required to cover some of your duties during your absence," Commissioner Larry Connery asked. Swedberg replied that was correct.
Sheriff Doug Ely noted the other officers would be able to cover some of Swedbergís duties, but there would be some overtime required if Swedberg was gone for 10 weeks.
"And what happens if we have a murder in the county when Brianís gone," Commissioner Dave Corcoran asked? "That would require a lot more overtime wouldnít it?"
Ely agreed it would.
Commissioner Tom Bjerke asked Personnel Director Tim Comstock if the county has ever received a request like Swedbergís before. Comstock answered during his tenure he hasnít. "The employee could take a leave of absence up to 60 days, then take vacation or comp time for the remainder of the time," Comstock noted.
"I feel it is great you were selected to attend this schooling out of all those candidates. And I feel the training you could receive would probably be beneficial to our department. But I just donít feel we can afford to send you," Corcoran said.
Corcoran then made a motion to deny Swedbergís request, which was seconded by Connery, and unanimously approved by the county board.
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