These photographs were sent to me and have reportedly been circulating on social media. I generally don't like to publicly burn fellow law enforcement officers, but when someone engages in conduct that raises serious questions about professionalism and security, they're well deserving of it. If that offends certain officers, perhaps their frustration would be better directed at the conduct itself and not the one bringing light to it. Let's get one thing straight: a badge is not a free pass to disregard laws, policy, security protocols, or common sense. The fact that inmates are throwing gang signs in the pictures doesn't help much either! A deputy posing for photographs with inmates while in a secured area raises some serious questions. Is she permitted to have a cell phone in that area? Were any departmental policies violated? Were any laws violated? How often does she do this? Does she allow the inmates to make unauthorized and unmonitored phone calls on her cell phone? And last but not least, who took the photographs? Was it another deputy? Was it an inmate or someone else with access to the secured area? These are legitimate questions that deserve legitimate answers. After reviewing publicly available records, I located an individual whose name appears to match the deputy in question. If it's the same person, she may have been employed with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office for approximately three months. Three months, and already raising serious questions about professional judgment. Talk about making an impression early! Let's also address the bigger issue: leadership and accountability. The Sheriff's Office cannot expect professionalism from its personnel by having a Sheriff who's never present! Hiring inexperienced personnel isn't necessarily the problem; failing to ensure they understand professionalism, boundaries, and security is. Meanwhile, not sure if he's aware, but the Sheriff has responsibilities that extend beyond his politics and personal agenda. Leadership requires presence, oversight, and accountability, not simply holding a title while problems persist under your watch while you're out singing and consuming alcohol! A correctional facility is not a playground, a social club, or a photo studio. Deputies are there to maintain security, enforce rules, and uphold professional standards, not to engage in immature antics with inmates. If someone cannot follow the basic rules and laws of the job, perhaps they should reconsider whether this profession is right for them. The rules and established laws aren't complicated. The badge isn't a toy, and a secured facility isn't the place to forget your responsibilities and primary mission. Apparently, common sense and professionalism are still too much to ask of some people. But when the Sheriff is making a targeted effort to recruit deputies fresh out of high-school who haven't fully matured yet and aren't properly vetted, these are the results you can expect. #BuchananForSheriff #foryoupage #SaveOurCounty #bexarcountysheriff #BexarCounty - @realnathanbuchanan