The people of Lake County depend on Law Enforcement officers to respond in a timely manner to a variety of situations. These officers are expected to be knowledgeable, respectful and, ultimately, be able to remedy these situations. The Sheriffs Department is actively looking to fill vacancies with people who fit these criteria.
The individuals who apply must pass a rigorous application process. They need to be exceptional in character and be able to pass all of the steps included in this process. Recruiting qualified people from outside counties is an impossible task without the proper tools and incentives.
Would someone from Sonoma, Napa or Mendocino County relocate to Lake County to work for the Sheriffs Department? Would they come here to work for an agency that does not offer benefits comparable to the county they live in? In fact, depending on the position, starting wages are less than the California Budget Project has deemed necessary for a single parent family to survive by almost 7 dollars per hour. My guess is not likely.
The Federal Government issues annual increases that are tied to the cost-of-labor. The Social Security Administration issues automatic cost-of-living adjustments annually and multiple other agencies and employers also prepare for upcoming cost-of-living adjustments. This reduces the need to work out of contract. The officers in this county have to fight, negotiate and prove their worth in order to receive a standard cost-of-living increase and what is finally becoming a standard retirement package.
According to the Mendocino County Website, their jail has the ability to hold 305 inmates. There are approximately 8 officers per shift, leaving 1 officer for every 38 inmates. However, this ratio does not leave room for vacancies on a shift, regardless of whether it is illness, injury, or just an open position waiting to get filled. With a staffing level of 8 officers, if 1 person were unable to work, the inmate population would increase to 43 inmates per officer.
Though running a shift below what may be considered minimum staffing may not immediately affect inmates, ultimately, it is the outcome. Eight officers is considered a full shift, but due to the staffing levels an agency has been running with 7 officers and 1 calls in sick, you are left with 6 officers and 305 inmates. The result is almost 51 inmates per officer.
For everyone”s safety, inmates lose their out-of-cell activity time including phone calls to loved ones, and even visiting privileges. After losing those things, how long before the inmate to officer ratio turns into a potential problem?
The Correctional Officers at the Lake County Jail do the same job as the Correctional Deputies at the Mendocino County Jail. It is not far off to assume the correctional officers in this county are faced with same potentially volatile numbers and yet start off making $3.00 dollars less per hour. These officers, whether it is in this county or another with similar demographics, are all asked to do the same job and are all faced with the same problems. Regardless of staffing, wages or benefits these officers make sure inmates receive what they are entitled to by law, and that they are safe and secure.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors are as responsible for hiring and retaining qualified personnel as the Sheriffs Department is itself. The Board of Supervisors is responsible for budgeting and approving all wage and benefit increases for those sworn to protect the people of Lake County.
However, when this county can”t offer competitive wages or benefits how can they be expected to staff and prepare for the growth in population that is inevitable? The Board of Supervisors needs to take responsibility and give the deputies and correctional officers in this county what has been a long time coming; a livable wage increase and retirement benefits that will keep the officers here, working, living and protecting the people of Lake County.
Kyla Hjertstedt
Lucerne
