COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – More information was presented to the Branch County Board of Commissioners during their work session Thursday about the possible return of a road deputy for the Branch County Sheriff’s Department.
Michigan State Police First Lt. James Coleman from the Marshall Post told ommissioners the State Police has been providing 24 hour protection in Branch County, but it was time for the Sheriff’s Department to step it up.
Coleman pointed out troopers also have to serve Calhoun and St. Joseph Counties.
Half of the Sheriff’s Department road patrols were dropped five years ago due to budget cuts.
Sheriff John Pollack estimated the total cost of transferring a corrections officer to road patrol would be about $55,700. He pointed out, “we’ve been lucky” in the five years since the layoffs took place.
Commissioner Leonard Kolcz pointed out most of the problems are taking place in his district covering Noble and Gilead Townships.
As for his push for more road deputies, Kolcz told his fellow commissioners “if you guys don’t like it, I’m sorry. But I’m going to do everything I can to get more road deputies on, especially in my district.”
Since the additional deputy was not an agenda item for Thursdays work session, action can’t be taken during next Tuesdays meeting but it is expected to be on the agenda for the commissioners next work session February 23, 2017.
They are expected to decide during that meeting if the proposal should be brought forward to their meeting on February 28 for formal action.
