Sheriff Binnewies said the county cannot compete on wages with the surrounding counties and the county needs to focus and apply energy on hiring new deputies that are qualified. The Sheriff Department is looking into classifying a new position: deputy recruit. This position would allow local candidates that live in the county and are most likely already employed in a profession in the county that are interested in a career in law enforcement to apply. The department would then pay to have the applicant(s) attend the law enforcement academy.
Sheriff Binnewies said this is very expensive as the academy is not local so they provide lodging and per diem. A main concern is they then move on to other departments for higher paying careers, as they have lost a few in the past after paying for the academy. Apparently the department cannot contractually make the new deputy have to stay employed for the county for a certain length of time after they graduate the academy.
The Sheriff Department is looking at possibly having three positions open up in the near future as deputies move on or retire.