SSO Market Study Update: Aug. 29, 2024

Dear OCEA member, 

As you may know, the County of Orange and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department have been conducting a market study analysis for the SSO series. This has been several years in the making. OCEA staff and your SSO Board worked diligently to compile a list of comparator agencies/positions that closely align with the responsibilities and qualifications required of SSOs. Unfortunately, the Department chose comparators that don’t reflect the true value of SSOs, thereby undervaluing the series.

While relying on inaccurate data and disregarding our input, the County and OCSD have unsurprisingly determined the SSO I and SSO II classifications are above market and, therefore, ineligible for any market study adjustments. Even more concerningly, the County and OCSD are recommending the elimination of the SSO III classification.

OCEA and your SSO Board do NOT agree with these findings and recommendations. We have requested to meet and confer over the comparator agencies/positions, and plan to file a formal challenge regarding the proposed elimination of the SSO III classification. We previously submitted a proposal recommending reinstatement of the SSO III classification, and while that was not supported by the County and OCSD, we still believe this to be the best course of action to create upward-movement for SSOs who have dedicated their lives to the profession and deserve to promote.

Thank you for staying updated. We will continue to provide additional updates as they become available. If you have additional questions, please contact your SSO Board members or OCEA Labor Relations Representative Kerensa Schupmann at kschupmann@ocea.org.

In Solidarity,

OCEA

Publication Date: August 29, 2024