ashe

Joseph there are no departments left that dont let them take the car home. However almost an hour out of the county is too far. It needs to be parked within the county at a church not in North Wilkesboro.

Suppose they are called out, while not on their assigned shift but for emergency purpose. For that reason I ca see having their vehicle at home.

I don't think they need to take them home period.

Dont misunderstand me, I have no problem with them driving the vehicles home within the county or just over the line in an adjoining county but the two in North Wilkesboro is way over the line for me.

It should be reeled in because its an unneeded waste of tax dollars. There is no reason why the tax payers should have to foot the bill for gas and wear and tear on county vehicles just for them to drive home. They should have to park their county vehicle at the sheriffs Dept. and drive their own personal vehicle back and forth to work and home.

Fairplay until someone posts the policy on vehicle usage the two in North Wilkesboro is over board in my opinion. Remember that bufurt reeled in Mickey when we complained.

I do not see what there is to "reel in". The vehicle use is perfectly within the law, and IRS regulations. It is a minimal fringe benefit.

Qualified Nonpersonal Use Vehicles �" There are instances where the type of vehicle provided for employee use is considered in determining if the fringe benefit is taxable. If a vehicle is considered as a qualified nonpersonal use vehicle then use of that vehicle is not taxable to the employee and substantiation and documentation of usage are not required by the IRS. Generally, this type of vehicle is “any vehicle that the employee is not likely to use more than minimally for personal purposes because of its design” 3 and generally include the following: o Clearly marked police, fire or public safety officer vehicles
o Unmarked vehicles used by law enforcement officers if the use is officially authorized
o Clearly marked police, fire or public safety officer vehicles:  Employer requires employee to use vehicle for commuting.  Employee is on call at all times.  Employer prohibits personal use of vehicle outside the jurisdiction of the officer or firefighter (other than commuting).  The vehicle is clearly marked and readily apparent, by words or painted insignia, that it is a public safety vehicle. A marking on a license plate is not a clear marking for this purpose. o Unmarked law enforcement vehicles:  Employer must officially authorize personal use.  Personal use must be incident to law enforcement functions. Use of the vehicle for vacation or recreation trips cannot qualify as an authorized use.  Employer must be a governmental unit responsible for prevention or investigation of crimes.  Vehicle must be used by a full-time law enforcement officer who is authorized to carry firearms, execute search warrants and make arrests. Officer must regularly carry firearm.
IRS Guidance for State and Local, (Municipal) Government Units: Updated 2015

Sounds like a good question for the sheriff wannabes

I know it happens all over there is a Boone town cop that lives over here and drive a Boone Police car home ever day. A blowing rock town cop drive home to Deep Gap every day as well

Here's a better question do these officers that take a car home claim it on their taxes as required by law?

For that i have no answer..

As far as I know all the Deputies take their patrol vehicles home.

There is, or used to be, a deputy who took his vehicle home, who lived right off Old 16, across from the Dollar tree farm. Two lived on Wade Bare as well. I’d also see WJ cop cars too in two other driveways.

I know I regularly meet an Ashe County Sheriff vehicle coming up the NC 16 mountain about 0645 most mornings. A company vehicle......quite a perk.

Is the policy in writing or is it up to the sheriff/chief deputy to decide? We know Mickey was taking a vehicle home until bufurt or the commissioners read goashe and stopped it.