Sheriff calls for pay increase for deputies

MEDIA >> Delaware County Sheriff Jerry L. Sanders Jr. asked county council to increase deputies’ wages by at least $5 an hour as retention and recruitment issues could potentially jeopardize the operations of the department.

“With us entering the budget preparation period for 2019, we must seriously

consider at least $5 an hour raise for the deputies, which will at least bring them into parity with the next lowestpaying sheriff’s office in the region,” Sanders said. “We are fast approaching a critical juncture where we may find ourselves at the point where we will simply not be able to fulfill the needs of the court or the citizens of Delaware County.”

Sanders, a first-term

Democrat, said his deputies make anywhere from $11,000 to $20,000 below the average salary of neighboring sheriff deputies.

“The starting deputy in Delaware County is paid $25,979 annually,” he said. “In comparison, the average salary for a full-time municipal police officer in Delaware County is $76,344.”

Even part-time police officers make more, the sheriff

contended, saying their average pay ranges from just under $20 an hour to just under $30 an hour.

This causes problems with retention and recruitment, Sanders said.

“In 2018 thus far, we have seen at least eight deputies leave the office for work in industrial security and most taking other jobs in law enforcement, almost all part-time,” he said, adding

that of his 63 deputy positions, at least 10 are vacant. “The Office of the Sheriff and the deputies perform a vital task and play a critical role in the efficient functions of the justice system and the safe and efficient functions of the courts and the county.”

In addition, he said his department pays for potential deputies to attend a 19-

week Penn State training course, often to only have them follow other career choices in part because of the low pay.

“Deputy sheriffs perform many dangerous duties similar to that of police officers,” Sanders said. “Arrest situations and domestic calls are recognized as among the most dangerous duties. The deputies serve warrants and serve protection from abuse orders ... Providing security in our courtrooms and prisoner transportation also expose the deputies to danger.

“Deputies are exposed to all of these dangers daily,” the sheriff said. “I do not seek the risk to life reflected in the low pay of my deputies. This wage disparity results in constant turnover.”

He talked about other effects the low pay and the inability to retain and recruit has had.

“Being constantly shortstaffed creates more mandatory overtime that in turn creates issue with fatigue, resentment, poor relations, low morale and increased sick leave and departures,” Sanders said.

The sheriff and council spoke about how many deputies use a position in

the department as a springboard to go to law enforcement jobs elsewhere.

“There’s no benefit for us as a pit stop,” he said. “I would like us to be a career choice.”

Sanders’ request received support from council members, who said they would look into the matter and consider the request.

“We recognize things in the workplace become more and more competitive in terms of law enforcement positions,” county council Chairman John McBlain said. “We are, in essence, competing against police departments ... We need to take a look at the structure as we do from time to time, whether it be for law enforcement professionals or some other specialty.”

Councilman Kevin Madden spoke to Sanders, saying, “Your team is notably worth looking at given the nature of the job and given the uniquely competitive environment that we have locally.”

Councilman Brian Zidek agreed.

“We should have pay for the sheriff’s department, for the deputies that accurately reflects both the value of the job and the dangers that that work entails,” he said.

Jerry Sanders