Rural Code Enforcement: Challenges & Solutions

 

by Kirk Palmer, Master Code Officer (GA), COSCI, COSS

“I’ll watch out for trouble in front and back sections by aiming my eyeballs in different directions.”

Dr. Seuss

 

Rural code enforcement has its own unique challenges as opposed to code enforcement in urban areas and the suburbs. I’m the Chief Code Enforcement Officer and the only Code Enforcement Officer for my county in North Georgia. The counties that are contiguous to mine, with few exceptions, are the same way. Most of us are in unsworn positions; therefore, we don’t carry firearms in the course of our duties. We are fortunate if we have body armor and non-lethal means of defense such as pepper spray, ASP batons, or Tasers. Most of us don’t have readily available backup, as most jurisdictions have only three to four, sometimes less, Sheriff’s Deputies on duty at a time. A two-way radio is a luxury in some jurisdictions, with cellphones being the only means of communication in the field. So, what are the officer safety challenges for the rural code enforcement officer?

• Lack of back-up officers;
• Communication challenges;
• Lack of essential equipment;
• Apathetic Leadership;
• Politics;
• The environment itself.

As mentioned above, the rural code enforcement officer is usually by himself or herself, with available backup sporadic at best; therefore, he or she must take exceptional responsibility for his or her own safety. While our hands are usually tied when it comes to budgetary issues, politics, and apathetic leadership, we must control what we can control, and that means being hyper-vigilant when it comes to situational awareness and officer safety best practices. First and foremost, remember that no inspection is worth your life or well being.

Let’s address the above challenges that we can control:

• Lack of back-up: Always tell someone exactly where you’re going and when you expect to be back, and don’t take any chances you don’t have to!

• Communication Challenges: In the case of two-way radios, know where the “dead zones” are. A “dead zone” is an area known for unreliable radio transmissions. For cellphones, know the areas where service is sketchy.
  

• Lack of essential equipment: Use what you have, especially body armor and defensive tools. If you don’t have defensive tools (pepper spray, ASP, et. al.), buy them yourself after getting approval in writing from your boss. Then find a proper training course for liability purposes. If you’re not issued body armor and can’t afford it yourself, please contact CEOSF and apply to have a vest donated to you after getting permission from your boss. Believe it or not, some jurisdictions frown on code enforcement officers wearing body armor (even if it’s concealed!)

• The environment: Expect the unexpected. In a rural setting, the code enforcement officer doesn’t know what he or she may find. Isolated drug procurement operations, reclusive and often hostile citizens, or dangerous wildlife are the norm in some areas. In one county contiguous to mine, a code enforcement officer found himself face-to-face with a black bear that had taken up residence in an abandoned SUV!

  

In summary, the best officer safety advice for the rural code enforcement officer with limited resources is to be hyper-vigilant when it comes to situational awareness in the field. Ultimately, you’re responsible for your safety; therefore, take no chances you don’t have to, practice good officer safety techniques, and use any officer safety equipment that you might have. Until next time, stay alert and don’t get hurt.

 

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About the Author

Kirk Palmer, COSCI is a Master Code Officer (GA) with 28 years of public safety experience. He is currently the Senior Code Official for White County, Georgia. In addition, he is an Officer Safety Instructor for the Georgia Association of Code Enforcement Officials (GACE), specializing in Extremist Groups and Gangs.