COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Sheriff John Pollack got his hackles up during Thursday’s Branch County Board of Commissioners work session when the subject of courthouse security came up for discussion.
The Sheriff’s Department is looking to hire two part time officers to handle security at the front desk at the Courthouse. They would work no more than 20 hours a week there have been no applicants so far.
Commissioner Terri Norris said there were security issues during the recent Jamie Coyle criminal sexual conduct trial in Branch County Circuit Court. One of the security officers had pre-approved time off for a medical procedure. She said there were 75 potential jurors in the courthouse and there was no security.
Pollack said the security situation was caused by the county since he was not given the budget or the manpower. He added courthouse security was not the department’s responsibility.
Funds were approved in the 2016 budget for the two part time positions but the positions were never filled. Because of that, funds were not designated in the 2017 budget.
After a meeting between Commissioner Leonard Kolcz and Pollack, the Sheriff agreed to hire the two part time deputies.
