Vancouver, WA – The Board of County Councilors this week approved a plan to provide long-term, stable funding to hire deputies in the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

The plan was an element of the 2016 spring supplemental budget the board approved during its regular Tuesday meeting.

The board authorized Sheriff Chuck Atkins to hire up to three deputy sheriffs over and above what his budget allows, in addition to filling vacancies. The practice allows the Sheriff to bring on talented, well-qualified people he otherwise would have to turn away for lack of an open position. It also will help ensure a continuous recruitment process in a day and age when hiring law enforcement officers is highly competitive and baby boomers are retiring.

Now, hiring deputies is at least a 12-month process slowed by a lack of space in the state police academy. Only two of every 100 applicants complete the vetting and training process.

When the three deputy positions are filled, they become a permanent part of the Sheriff’s budget. Funding for the positions will be added when hiring occurs.

“This provides a long-term commitment to public safety and removes hiring deputies from competition with other county General Fund needs,” said Councilor Julie Olson, who suggested the flexible hiring plan last month.

The practice can continue until “sufficient staffing is achieved” or the board changes the policy, the supplemental budget resolution states.

CONTACT
Bob Stevens
Deputy County Manager
(360) 397-2323 ext. 4863
robert.stevens@clark.wa.gov