Demotions

SHERIFF GLODIS RESCINDS RECENT PROMOTIONS, HIRES AND TRANSFERS AT JAIL TRANSFERS CEELY TO MAXIMUM SECURITY, 11-7 SHIFT West Boylston – Still within the first week of his new administration as head of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Guy Glodis announced today his order to rescind all promotions, hires and transfers that have occurred in the last six months.  The Sheriff’s move retracts seventeen promotions that took place during the final days of the Flynn administration, as well as eight shift transfers of officers who had supported Mr. Glodis in his race for Sheriff. “My first priority as Sheriff is to depoliticize this institution, to make all promotions based entirely on experience and job performance,” Sheriff Glodis stated.  “My actions today apply to everyone, regardless of their political loyalties, allowing us to begin this administration with a clean slate.” Language previously established with each of the jail’s four unions allows the Sheriff to rescind promotions during the six-month probationary period following the promotion.  Current policy requires new hires to serve as temporary officers for 90 days before beginning a one-year probationary period. The new sheriff also announced plans to reduce all pay raises that occurred over the last six months, including some raises that exceeded 11%.  “While appropriate pay for these difficult jobs is very important, our overcrowding, infrastructure, and worker’s compensation problems have created a dire fiscal situation,” Sheriff Glodis commented.  “With such limited state resources, addressing these issues must take precedence over everything else.” Among the Sheriff’s personnel changes, Sheriff Glodis has likewise transferred Sgt. Stephen Ceely to a new shift within the Maximum Security section of the prison.  Commenting on the move, Mr. Glodis stated: “I am taking the necessary steps to remove any remnants of the politics that have defined this Department over the last twenty years.  I want to send a clear message to all employees that I will base all personnel decisions solely on their skills and professionalism.” Sheriff Glodis recently completed a 32-hour shift at the jail, hosting various state officials, taking part in education and substance abuse counseling sessions, and sleeping overnight in a Maximum Security cell.   During his two-day stay, Mr. Glodis explained the jail has approximately 165% overcrowding, the highest workers’ compensation costs in the state, four unresolved union contracts, and continues to use temporary inmate housing years beyond its intended design.