Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler has hired a retired Maryland State Police officer to oversee the agency's review of its helicopter unit.
Ghaler has also created a new civilian post to act as a liaison with the community and government officials that will be filled by a onetime aide in the administration of former Anne Arundel County executive John Leopold.
Robert McGainey, a former lieutenant colonel with the Maryland State Police, has been hired as a part-time human resources specialist, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Cristie Kahler said.
Kahler said that, in addition to McGainey's role in human resources, he will oversee the review of the 10-person helicopter unit organized in 2013 by former sheriff Jesse Bane. That review was a significant part of the campaign platform for Gahler, who was sworn in Dec. 1, and who expressed reservations about the unit during his successful election campaign to unseat Bane.
McGainey will be paid $28.93 per hour for his human resources duties and the review of the helicopter unit, Kahler said.
"His total compensation for any work for the sheriff's office is $28.93 an hour," she explained.
Erik Robey has been hired for the new civilian sheriff's office position: community and legislative liaison.
Kahler said Robey will be a full-time employee and will be paid $40.35 per hour, or about $84,000 a year.
"He is going to oversee special projects and legislative issues," Kahler said of Robey's duties. "He will work closely within communities to ensure that the issues that are most important to the citizens in those communities, whether they are traffic, crime-related, legislatively related, are addressed."
The Sheriff's Office, which previously relied on the Maryland State Police or Baltimore County for helicopter support, acquired the federal surplus Bell OH-58 helicopter in late 2013, and the aircraft took to the air in April of 2014.
The unit, which is based in rented space in Forest Hill, includes two pilots and eight tactical flight officers. The Sheriff's Office did not pay for the helicopter, but officials estimate it costs $300 per hour to operate. That cost and other maintenance is covered by money seized in drug cases.
Gahler emphasized the need for more deputies on the street during the election campaign, in which he denied Bane a third term. Bane noted during the campaign that Eagle 1 had taken part in 94 missions and was "first on the scene" 22 times in incidents, some that included fugitive apprehensions.
"Right now, Sheriff Gahler is holding to his promise that he will complete this assessment of the unit," Kahler said.
With regard to Robey's hiring, Kahler said it will be helpful to have a civilian in the position of community and legislative liaison, and that Robey "will be able to be a second set of eyes and ears for the sheriff in the community."
"He has 10 years of experience working in legislation and county government, and we believe that he will be able to deepen the Sheriff's Office connection within the community in a way that previously hasn't been done," Kahler explained.
Robey served as chief of staff to Leopold, a Republican, who resigned after he was convicted in 2013 of two counts of criminal misconduct, including using county police officers as campaign workers and forcing county employees to empty the catheter bag he wore while recovering from back surgery, according to Baltimore Sun Media Group news reports.
Robey left the county executive's staff in February of 2013, along with several other top Leopold aides, after Republican Laura Neuman took office following Leopold's resignation. Neuman was defeated in this year's Republican primary by Steve Schuh, a former state delegate who won the general election and took over as Anne Arundel's executive last week.
Kahler said Gahler has worked with Robey for 18 months, and "he knows him to be a true professional."
"He feels confident that Mr. Robey's experience is going to be an asset to the Sheriff's Office and our relationship to the community," Kahler explained.
Kahler said the sheriff met Robey during his campaign, which was active for more than two years leading up to last June's primary election.
"He immediately saw [Robey's] value as a community liaison with an ability to network with community leaders," she explained in an email. "Sheriff Gahler sought his advice during the campaign, as a friend and trusted resource, in which to discuss ideas."