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Supervisors discuss longer-term security contract amid questions about private-guard role and risk

5535392 · August 6, 2025
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

The Board of Supervisors discussed a proposed multi-year extension of the county's contract with a private security firm for transports and in-hospital "standby" services, with supervisors pressing sheriff's office officials on risk assessment, incident history and the justification for a four-year term.

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. ' The Board of Supervisors on Aug. 5 considered a contract extension that would keep a private security provider on call for transport and hospital-standby duties for the county jail, prompting questions from supervisors about risk, oversight and contract length.

Supervisors questioned how often contracted guards are used for transports and in-hospital supervision, and whether the county can and should accept the liability that comes with assigning non-sworn personnel to duties that can involve custody, medical events, or use-of-force risks. Assistant Sheriff Rob Lem and other sheriff's office representatives described a case-by-case review process and said the department avoids…

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