2022 is in full swing and most of the evidence suggests it’s going to be a long, tough year for deputy sheriffs. It’s become apparent to almost everyone within the department that we have a staffing crisis on our hands. I recently spoke with a long-time department member who told me our staffing issues are worse than any time in more than 30 years they have been a deputy. While many of us are having to make adjustments to fill staffing gaps, the impacts have been unquestionably more impactful and negative for the deputies working the line in our jail facilities. Our detentions deputies have been placed on mandatory overtime directives that require them to work two, and sometimes three overtime shifts during their days off per pay period.
The DSA is committed to finding solutions to these staffing problems, and we are urging the department to make this issue their top priority. I do believe everyone is invested in finding solutions, but I also know that a solution will not come overnight. There are many factors contributing to our shortage of deputies: retirements, Covid-19, over 100 deputies on TTD (total temporary disability), academy delays, and an inability to recruit and hire enough qualified candidates.
It’s true that many of us were saying these consequences were inevitable. We all watched as the public support from community leaders diminished. It became politically popular to criticize police and the work we do. Our local newspaper has looked for every opportunity to diminish our reputation with the public. At times, it’s felt like a coordinated smear campaign on our profession. The DSA fought, sometimes hopelessly, to impact legislation that we knew would have negative consequences on our profession. Our pension has been reformed three times in less than 15 years. A newly-hired San Diego County deputy is expected to be thankful for Tier D, which is the lowest pension benefit for any police agency in the entire state of California.
So, here we are, with crime rising in our communities and an inability to attract new candidates to do the job. In 2011, just 10 years ago, the Sheriff’s department had 19,978 applicants. In 2021, only 5,372 people applied to become a deputy sheriff. That’s nearly a 75 percent decline. It doesn’t do the DSA or our members any good for us to say, “I told you so!”
It’s imperative that people recognize a proactive plan to avoid staffing shortages is critical to public safety. Recently, County Supervisors Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond docketed a board letter recognizing the police staffing crisis in San Diego County and directing the Chief Administrative Office to work with the Sheriff to find solutions to the problem. This is a great first step to fixing the problem and getting deputies some much needed help. We’re thankful to Supervisors Anderson and Desmond for recognizing, and agreeing to address this problem. We are also thankful to Supervisors Fletcher, Vargas, and Lawson-Remer for their votes, as this item passed unanimously.
The DSA looks forward to working collaboratively with the County and the Sheriff’s department to find appropriate solutions that will allow us to continue providing the highest level of public safety services to the residents of San Diego County. We certainly have some ideas that will help with the problem. We will work tirelessly to get our ideas heard. Stay tuned for more updates. As always, stay safe, and give us a call if you have any questions or concerns.⭑