COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners Wednesday voted to bring forward to next Tuesday’s meeting a pair of staffing requests from Sheriff John Pollack.
Pollack said with the recent retirement of Sgt. Jim Holt, the extended medical leave for Deputy Greg Ware and the possibility of a third deputy leaving for another agency, they could be down to five patrol officers in the near future. Right now they have six patrol officers.
Commissioner Terri Norris says for immediate relief, Pollack is looking to hire two part timers to fill a deputy position.
Commissioners also brought forward a request from Pollack to fill an open position in Corrections.
In his monthly report to the Commissioners, Pollack said they had 279 hours of overtime for Corrections last month. He said one of the reasons was the hospitalization of an inmate who has had several seizures.
According to Pollack, a guard is needed since the unnamed inmate is not being released from jail on a personal recognizance bond. Pollack said at least 59 hours of overtime has resulted during March and April.
The overtime also had to be used because of long time illnesses to a deputy and a corrections officer while another corrections officer was undergoing academy training.
