County approves move of deputy to task force
The drug and vice squad will still be two officers short.
Floyd County Commissioners have authorized Sheriff Tim Burkhalter to hire a new jail officer and shift a more experienced officer over to fill one of three vacancies on the Rome-Floyd County Metro Task Force. Commander Brandon Ekey told county commissioners the task force, which includes representatives from the city and county police as well as the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, is currently three officers short.
At full staff, the task force includes three representatives from the city police, three from the county police and two from the sheriff’s office. Currently there are two vacancies from the county police and one from the sheriff’s office.
Burkhalter said he wanted to do his part: “I just can’t in conscience take somebody out of the jail or off the street unless I can fill the position.”
Ekey said the cost of methamphetamine has dropped to about $500 an ounce, about a third of what it is was just a few years ago, and heroin laced with fentanyl is becoming an even greater problem in the community.
Ekey said he never wants to execute search warrants without a minimum of four officers, and the current manpower shortage is stretching his ability to carry out his drugfighting mission.
“We really need the help and support,” Ekey said.
District Attorney Leigh Patterson told commissioners her office is getting more frequent complaints about criminal activity that may be related to
electronic gaming machines in local convenience stores. “These stores are bringing crime into the community,” Patterson said. “They’re not playing for entertainment value. They pay out cash money, and we want them out of here. I don’t care who knows it.”
The sheriff also asked commissioners to consider paying monthly contributions into the Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit fund, an auxiliary retirement fund, on behalf of eligible officers. County Manager Jamie McCord said it was something he was certainly willing to consider as a means of enticing experienced officers to stay with the county, and estimated it would cost the county about $70,000 annually.
“I think that’s something that is on the radar,” said Commissioner Scotty Hancock. Commissioners were supportive of the idea, but asked McCord to get a more definite dollar figure for the program. “I think it’s a small dollar figure
for a big recruiting tool,” McCord said.
The commission honored 30 county employees with 15 or more years of service to the county Tuesday. Three employees had more than 30 years of service: Superior Court Administrator Phil Hart with 34 years, Cheryl Bray with the county police for 33 years and Davlon Ezell with the Floyd County Superior Court for 30 years.
The panel approved the expenditure of $200,000 for playground equipment at Alto Park and Etowah Park in 2017 to round out the 2013 SPLOST county playground improvements. McCord said by finishing out that work this year the county could save some money on the purchase price and earmark some of the savings for mulching around the playgrounds.