Sheriff Baca blocks deputies’ access to union website

The Sacramento Bee reports:

Sheriff Lee Baca blocked access to the deputies union Web site because of what department officials describe as unfair criticism in the association’s newsletter.

The move ratchets up tense relations between Baca and the Association of the Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, which recently released a survey showing a vast majority of deputies are unhappy with Baca.

Union president Steve Remige has also ridiculed Baca’s efforts to release heiress Paris Hilton from jail, a decision that was overturned by a judge.

Remige called Baca spiteful and petty for blocking department computer access to the association Web site (http://www.alads.org). He said it hampers deputy ability to get information about benefits, overtime and other issues.