Several decades ago, an Essex County sheriff would reward political supporters by appointing them as honorary deputies. The title did not come with any police powers, but did provide the holder with an official-looking badge that some found useful in talking their way out of speeding tickets and for other purposes.
So numerous were these deputies that a colleague once observed it might have been easier for the sheriff to swear them in over the radio than have them all gather at a local function hall to take the "oath" of office. Of course, that would have negated the purpose of these events, which was to collect money for the sheriff's next election campaign.
The practice of handing out those shiny badges ended with Frank Cousins' appointment as sheriff by Gov. William Weld in 1996. Unfortunately, the need to raise money to run for re-election did not; nor did the practice of seeking donations from those employed by the Sheriff's Department.
Which is how Cousins found himself the object of a WBZ-TV I-Team investigation this week featuring unverified allegations by anonymous sources of employees being pressured to donate or suffer the boss's wrath.
While issuing a blanket denial that he had done anything improper (he did pay a $10,000 fine to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance last year for various accounting errors and accepting illegal cash contributions), Cousins now says he will no longer accept donations from non-managerial employees.
Wise move. But the fact is that the archaic practice of electing our sheriffs — whose primary responsibility is the administration of regional correctional facilities — ought to be abolished.
The framers of the Massachusetts Constitution got it right when they called for sheriffs to be appointed by the governor with the consent of the Governor's Council. But the 19th Amendment changed that to require the election of sheriffs (along with registers of probate and clerks of court — also an absurdity).
The result is that every sheriff interested in serving more than a single term must build a campaign war chest for the next election. And many, including Cousins, have proved themselves quite skilled at that facet of the job.
While Cousins has won accolades over the years for his administration of the county penal system, in the modern era, this is a job where professional qualifications should count more than political popularity.
Ex-Rutgers Student Gets 30 Days in Webcam Case
Obama Sees Inspiration in Joplin Graduates
Ravi Spared Prison in Rutgers Webcam Case
Miss. Prison Quiet After Riot; 1 Dead
Obama Confident Afghans Can Take Security Lead
Raw Video: Deadly Bombing at Yemen Parade Preps
Professor: Chinese Activist's 'Spirit Is Good'
Ring of Fire Eclipse Seen in U.S., Asia
Golden Gate Bridge Celebrates 75 Years
G-8 Seeks Unity on Euro-debt Crisis, Iran
Prosecutors: Trio Planned to Attack Obama's HQ
Obama: G8 Unified in Stance on Iran, Syria
