Sheriff Matt Crisafulli’s request to increase starting salaries for new hires recruited as transfers from other law enforcement agencies went nowhere with the Worcester County Commissioners this week.
Crisafulli had asked to increase deputy pay by 5%, for entry-level deputy sheriff to sergeant. That would bump annualized starting pay from $63,132 to $66,210, or $31.83 an hour.
The sheriff also sought to increase pay by another 2.5% specifically for veteran police officers hired laterally from other police agencies.
Crisafulli told the commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting how he didn’t bring up the mid-year budget request lightly, and that he’s driven by real-time staffing needs and “not by convenience.”
“If we cannot compete now, those experienced deputies, will already be hired elsewhere,” he told the commissioners.
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is down 12 positions, including vacant posts and staff on medical leave. Another two deputies expected to join the force soon are still in the police academy, according to the sheriff.
Crisafulli said the $354,281 cost would be largely offset by existing vacancies, bringing the net cost this fiscal year to $106,239.
Anyone who lives on the Western Shore should b e charged
100 dollars a car to visit OC