Rift between marshals heats up at Regional Justice Center

A conflict is brewing among county marshals at the Regional Justice Center -- one that courthouse insiders say has harmed morale, wasted resources and threatens public safety.

At odds are two groups of marshals, who get the same pay and share the same equipment but who answer to different bosses.

One group, which works under the supervision of the court administration, mans the metal detectors at the main entrance and has the responsibility of protecting the entire 17-story building. The other group works directly for the judges, maintaining order in the courtrooms.

In recent months, according to marshals who work for the administration, as many as a dozen of the roughly 40 marshals assigned to judges and justices of the peace have gotten into the habit of leaving well before their daily shifts end. This usually occurs after the jurists shut down their courtrooms for the day.

The early departures have created resentment among the two dozen marshals who work their tails off for the administration. They often find themselves understaffed at the metal detectors and unable to mount regular patrols to ensure the safety of the thousands of daily visitors who pour into the well-traveled courthouse.

And they have no authority to get their truant colleagues to pitch in and share the load. By state law, the marshals who work for the judges answer only to the judges.

All of this waste of manpower comes at the public’s expense — and at a time when taxpayer money to fund government and the courts is scarce.

When pressed for comment, Lt. George Glasper, the supervisor of the marshals who work for the administration, wouldn’t talk about the growing conflict.

But his troops haven’t been shy about voicing their displeasure.