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Board discusses assigning one deputy to courthouse checkpoint as temporary trial
Summary
County officials discussed a temporary reassignment to station one armed deputy at the courthouse security checkpoint to increase visible security; Per Mar security will continue current staffing and the change is framed as a trial through summer and fall.
The Board of Supervisors discussed a temporary staffing change at the Black Hawk County courthouse security checkpoint on May 20 to station one armed deputy at the entry point.
A county law‑enforcement representative told the board the county currently has two deputies stationed at the courthouse and proposed reassigning one of them to remain at the security checkpoint while the other continues rounds. “We’re asking that one of those deputies be reassigned to be stationed at that checkpoint,” the speaker said. The proposal is described in the meeting as a trial to evaluate whether a single, consistently posted armed officer improves presence and public confidence.
Board members discussed the impact on courtroom staffing when judges request deputies in courtrooms. The law‑enforcement representative said court requests could still require pulling deputies from the checkpoint on occasion and that staffing decisions would depend on daily availability.
Per Mar, the private security contractor that staffs the courthouse entry, will not reduce its staffing; a representative confirmed contract guards will continue to provide two positions at the front entrance. The county speaker said the measure is intended to supplement existing security and that the county will evaluate the arrangement through the summer and fall.
Why it matters: the change affects courthouse security presence and daily operations and could change how the public experiences entry to court facilities. The proposal was framed as an operational experiment rather than a permanent policy change.
No formal vote or change to contract staffing was recorded; the board discussed the plan and directed staff to try the reassignment and monitor results.
