SHERIFF of DALLAS COUNTY
Since January 2005

IT'S TIME TO STEP UP
An Editorial in the Dallas News, July 21, 2005
Sheriff Valdez is managing, but can she lead?

SUMMARY: The editorial board of the Dallas News talked with Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez about her job and the challenges she will face with the long mismanaged jail.

The editorial board reported that she had 'what sounded like' a solid plan of action, but seemed to be concerned about her humility and forcefulness.

She made the statement to them that she hasn't been involved much in choosing the contractor for health care, which the editorial states is a big mistake, because, depending on which contractor the county commissioners pick, Ms. Valdez' job to oversee the safety and security of the prisoners and her facility could be made more or less difficult.

She had reportedly done a good job in overseeing the complete rewriting of outdated policies and procedures, has hired two additional assistant chiefs and according to Ms. Valdes, has laid out "very direct lines of accountability", but the jail's fourth failed inspection in a row cast a dubious cloud over these claims. Articles

Perhaps abusive jail staff like Lewis and Abell will not last long under her watchful eyes.  We shall soon see.  Kay Lee

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Sheriff Lupe Valdez: "It's just a witch hunt"

http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2006/nov/30/sheriff-lupe-valdez-its-just-witch-hunt/
By Blair Lovern

Matt Pulle at the Dallas Observer let everyone know in a blog post today how cooperative the Dallas Sheriff can be.

Pulle had asked for a public information request regarding internal affairs complaints regarding four Sheriff’s Department employees.

Sheriff Lupe Valdez accidentally included Pulle on an email reply to her legal advisor, Leslie Sweet:

“Let’s see if we can keep from doing this, its’s just a witch hunt. He can do that, but let’s not assist, if we can help it.”

Pulle says he hasn't heard an explanation about it. Probably won't, considering what he's written about Sheriff Valdez.

Back in 2004, reported The Washington Post, "Valdez said she decided to run for sheriff to restore integrity and trust to the department. "

"What have we come to when we can't say 'elected official' in the same sentence as 'interest of the people' or 'honesty' or 'trust'?" Valdez told the Post.

Sheriff Valdez fails test she didn't have permission to take in the first place:
http://www.dallasobserver.com/2006-06-01/news/put-to-the-test/ http://cbs11tv.com/topstories/local_story_146214747.html

To contact the office of Sheriff Lupe Valdez

Sheriff Lupe Valdez
133 N. Industrial Blvd., LB-31
Dallas, Texas 75207-4313

Dallas County Sheriff's Dept:
Ph:  (214) 653-3465   Fax: (214)653-2892

To email Sheriff Lupe Valdez regarding the Sheriff's Department, please email her at lupe@lupevaldez.com or LValdez@dallascounty.org

1. Sherif's Department Executive Chief Deputy
    Jesse Flores                                             
    Ph.  (214) 653-3451
    Fax  (214) 653-2892

2. Sheriff's Department Internal Affairs Office
    Captain James Ledford, Supervisor
    Ph. (214) 653-3414
    Fax (214) 653-3090

3. Sheriff's Department Legal Advisor
    Attorney Leslie Sweet   
    Ph. (214) 653-2906
    Fax (214) 653-3420
    Email: LSweet@dallascounty.org

Dallas County Jail Administrators:

4. Asst. Chief Deputy Danny Downs
    Ph. (214) 653-2106

5. Asst. Chief Mona Birdwell
    Ph. (214) 653-2604

6.  Jail General Information Line
    Ph. (214) 653-761-9025

7. Mailroom Supervisor Sgt. Temple
    Ph. (214) 653-2960

8. Property Room Supervisor Ms. Mason
    Ph. (214) 653-2648

9. Medical Department West Tower Lew Strrett
    Ph. (214) 653-2627

10. Medical Department North Tower Lew Strrett
    Ph. (214) 653-2928

11. Inmate Programs Division
    Ph. (214) 653-2893