Sioux County, Iowa — Sioux County Sheriff Dan Altena was recently informed of what he calls “misleading and false information” regarding how the Sheriff’s Office is handling the pandemic.
Altena says information like this can unnecessarily spread fear and distrust. Therefore he feels it’s important for the public to know how and why the sheriff’s office is handling things as they are.
This pandemic is something none of them have ever dealt with before. Everything is uncertain. This has been more challenging than anything Altena encountered in his 16 years as sheriff.
Altena says he knew that it was necessary to act quickly but also with wisdom. He immediately consulted with a group of 14 northwest Iowa sheriffs, who he regularly meets with, to find out their plan of action. Altena was also given advice from many other sheriffs in Iowa along with the state prisons. The sheriff immediately met with his command staff (Chief Deputy, Captain, Lieutenant and Jail Commander). Based on this significant input, they realized that it is absolutely imperative that they keep the COVID virus out of the jail, while still maintaining public safety for Sioux County’s citizens. A contingency plan and protocol was developed. The decision was made to take only the violent arrestees into the jail.
The rationale from other sheriffs and the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, was to take any and all action to keep the virus out of their jails. He says the fear among all sheriffs is this: If the virus gets into the jail and among the inmates, many would be hospitalized – at county expense. Additionally, a jailer would have to be stationed at the hospital with the inmate. Another concern is, if the jailers contract the virus, there will not be enough staff to work within the jail.
He continues to say that those who are arrested, but not housed their first few hours in jail, are still charged with the same crime, not just “given a ticket” as the misleading information wants you to believe. Altena continues to say if the person is convicted of the crime, they will serve the same amount of jail time. Some of the local law enforcement agencies have used this same procedure even before the pandemic hit.
Sioux County deputies are advised to be very careful when dealing with the public, using PPE and common sense. This has been common practice with many law enforcement agencies, as well as schools, churches, hospitals and other businesses. This action has been taken to keep deputies healthy so they have enough officers to provide the most essential county protection.
The deputies continue to respond to all serious calls and/or dangerous traffic situations.
Altena addressed the misleading information stated that he has been gone the “VAST” majority of time during this pandemic. He says that is simply not true. Altena have been working remotely from his home in Sioux Center. He has encouraged many of his administrative deputies to do the same, so they can all stay healthy. As sheriff, he realizes it is vital that he stays healthy so he can continue to lead through these challenging and adverse times.
This pandemic has been extremely difficult to deal with. It is certainly unprecedented times. The Sioux County Sheriff staff has been working through it the best they can. There has not been any procedures from the past to follow.
So far they are pleased to report that they have kept everyone in the jail, along with their deputies, COVID-free. A lot of credit needs to go out to his staff for their diligence in doing the job and the caution they have used.
He says as they continue moving forward through this pandemic, the Sheriff’s Office is phasing back into normal operations. Four weeks ago he met with the County Attorney, Assistant County Attorney and the police chiefs from Sioux County to put that process into place. He reports it has been going well.
Altena assures us that after 41 years in law enforcement, 37 with the Sheriff’s Office and 16 as Sheriff, that he takes great responsibility for, and puts great effort and time into these difficult decisions, in order to keep Sioux county safe.
