COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – With 2019 budget negotiations just around the corner, Branch County Sheriff John Pollack is expected to make another request for additional road patrol deputies, especially since the department is currently shorthanded with the retirements of two deputies and another deputy on sick leave.
Two newly hired deputies won’t be ready for road patrol duties until they are done with training in eight weeks. With only five deputies available from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, that means the Sheriff’s Department has no one on the road on weekends until late October. Michigan State Police troopers are covering Branch County on weekends.
During last Friday’s work session, Undersheriff Keith Eichler said deputies handle more than just complaints.
Eichler said they get applications for openings but possible candidates have issues with the pay scale.
Commissioners Leonard Kolcz, Terri Norris and Ted Gordon all ran for office in 2016 promising to hire additional deputies. The Board of Commissioners earlier this year approved the concept of using the maintenance savings from the new county jail for additional road patrol deputies.
It was pointed out during the lead up to the millage vote that it has cost Branch County $934,000 to maintain the current County Jail over the last five years compared with only $286,000 that was spent between 2008 and 2012.
Commissioners approved the transfer of a Sheriffs Department Corrections Officer to road patrol last year.
