Menifee PD faces new challenges heading into July 1 launch

Menifee Police Chief Pat Walsh is preparing for the July 1 launch of his department in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. File photo

By Doug Spoon, Editor

As he prepares the Menifee Police Department for its July 1 launch, Chief Pat Walsh realizes his department will face more than the challenges of a major law enforcement start-up.

Even if many of the restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are lifted before then, Walsh knows it will be a somewhat different world his officers will enter when they begin to police the streets of Menifee. Residents frustrated and angered by the pace of the government’s re-opening strategy will make up the population in which the Menifee PD must build its reputation.

Throw in the seemingly ever-changing policies by local and state officials and Walsh will need to have his officers ready for anything.

“This should bring us together, but unfortunately, we’re dividing ourselves into those who don’t care about the orders and those who are too quick to point out violations to others,” Walsh said.

With that said, Walsh expressed his frustration with some of the changes in policy during the pandemic. One of those is the state’s temporary zero bailout policy, in which bail for all misdemeanor and felony offenses must be set at zero dollars. According to the emergency ordinance, this was designed to create “uniformity in the handling of certain offenses during the state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Officials have explained that the temporary order by the Judicial Council of California is designed to limit the spread of coronavirus in jails and prisons. Unfortunately, that leads to incidents like the one in Glendora this week that has been widely circulated on social media.

Glendora police arrested and released a suspect for allegedly stealing vehicles and property three times in the same day because of the zero bailout policy.

“It’s really frustrating when politicians determine who stays in jail and who doesn’t,” Walsh said. “The health care in the jail system is phenomenal. Why let people out and worry if they get COVID-19? If they get sick inside, they get excellent health care.

“It’s sad, because we’re victimizing the community twice. This guy, he did this three times in a day because he knew they’re not going to lock him up. We’re all holed up in our homes and they’re letting these guys out.”

Although the timing of this confusing world of COVID-19 couldn’t be worse for Walsh’s department, preparations for the launch are proceeding on schedule. Walsh has 40 potential Menifee Police officers in background checks for the 44 positions to be filled. Seventeen employees, including two captains, nine sergeants and one lieutenant, are already on staff. The department received more than 2,300 applications.

“We’re hiring only the best of the best,” Walsh said.

As the debate has raged over the orders issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom and Riverside County Health Officer Cameron Kaiser for self-isolation, social distancing and face covering, the role of law enforcement has been a topic of discussion. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said early in the stay at home order that his deputies would not cite or arrest residents for refusing to wear face masks or violating social distancing orders. On the other hand, police cleared beaches in Orange County this weekend to enforce Newsom’s orders to close those areas.

“They’re clearing up the jails to make room for beachgoers,” State Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez told Menifee 24/7 today, referring to the zero bailout policy.

Walsh had no problem explaining the policy his department would have if these restrictions were still in effect July 1.

“We’re going to run a Constitutional police department,” Walsh said. “We’re not going to violate people’s Constitutional rights based on what Gavin Newsom says, or what the Health Department says, or what [Menifee City Manager] Armando Villa says.

“I hope we’re learning a lesson through all this. We kind of need to be germophobes and hold each other accountable. You can’t expect the police to run around and cite violators. We need voluntary compliance and people who comply by old-fashioned guilt.”