The union representing deputies in Montgomery County blasted Sheriff Maxwell Uy on Wednesday and announced a vote of “no confidence” in his leadership.
The deputies leveled the criticism during a press conference near Uy’s office at the county’s Circuit Court in Rockville.
“This is not about politics. This is not about personality,” said Gino Renne, president of Local UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, who accused Uy of retaliating against employees and ignoring their contractual rights.
“Sheriff Uy has built a culture of fear and dysfunction — and it is costing this community dearly," Renne said.
Uy told the Banner Wednesday that based on the union’s support of Will Milam — who will face him in the June Democratic primary for sheriff but did not attend the news conference — the event appeared contrived “to create an environment more advantageous to my opponent.”
Uy added that he knows the staffing shortfall has caused his deputies stress, but as the elected sheriff, he will continue to work in the “best interest” of the community.
“I’m highly supportive of labor unions,” he said. “I’ve had to make some challenging decisions to maintain service to the community. Sometimes what MCGEO wants does not align with what’s best for the community.”
About 50 supporters, most of whom wore yellow union T-shirts, stood behind Renne as he addressed the media. He said nearly 80% of the deputies had voted to authorize Wednesday’s vote of no confidence. The group included about seven union leaders, including from the Fraternal Order of Police of Maryland and that union’s Baltimore branch.
Milam, who was second in command at the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, left in February.
The union and Milam have blamed Uy for a shortfall of about 30 sheriff’s deputies who have left the department in the past two years.
Uy has said the departures were due to “natural attrition,” mostly from retirements.
Uy is the county’s first ever Asian American sheriff. He was elected in 2022 and manages the office, which has a budget of about $33 million. It oversees holding cells at the Circuit Court and District Court in Rockville, and the District Court in Silver Spring.
Sheriff’s deputies transport inmates to and from court, and protect judges and courtroom visitors.
The office also executes criminal and civil warrants. Those duties can include responding to domestic-violence orders, serving evictions, overseeing child support, and responding to red-flag orders.
“The time for excuses is over. The time for change is now,” Renne said. “The people of Montgomery County cannot afford four more years of Max Uy.”
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