A week ago a hearing was held in front of Ingham County Circuit Court Judge James Giddings in regards to a motion DSAM filed. As you are aware, in May 2010, DSAM filed a lawsuit alleging that the Sheriffs' Coordinating and Training Council (SCTC), which is dominated by Sheriffs who are apointed by the Michigan Sheriffs' Association Educational Services, were involved in inappropriately funding private entities to conduct training programs, which have yet to be identified. DSAM specifically alleged that at its January 28, 2010 meeting of the SCTC, that the Council, based upon a recommendation of its' Executive Secretary, Mr. James Reed, appropriate $40,000.00 to be divided up among (5-6) different entities, for the purpose of developing some unspecified training programs for Local Corrections Officers.

DSAM also filed a complaint requesting a Writ of Mandamus which would require the SCTC to comply with the applicable provisions of the Local Corrections Officer Training Act (P.A. 125 of 2003). DSAM specifically alleged that the SCTC was usurping the prerogatives and statutory dutes vested in the Local Corrections Officers Advisory Board; which, pursuant to P.A. 125 of 2003, had the responsibility of recommending standards and training programs, along with all facilities that the Board approves for providing training to Local Corrections Officers under the Act, to the SCTC. The Council, in its' attempt to award $40,000.00 in contracts for unspecified services to (5-6) different organizations, had completely bypassed the Advisory Board, and was developing contracts for training which were in violation of the Local Corrections Officers Training Act.