COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners decided during their work session on Thursday to bring forward a Sheriff’s Department request to approve the hiring of a part-timer on an as needed basis to conduct background investigations.
But after a considerable amount of discussion that lasted almost a half hour, Commissioners decided that whoever is hired would perform immediate background checks for the Sheriff’s Department before they would reevaluate the position in three months.
Sheriff John Pollack said in his request to the Commissioners that the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, otherwise known as MCOLES, is now requiring background checks for all agencies which involves over 40 steps. Several of the steps are considered to be in-depth.
He made reference to a controversy last March concerning the certification status of former deputy Patrick Hann.
He added the MCOLES policy is retroactive to all employees hired since 2023.
Commission Chair Tim Stoll felt there were a lot of unknowns.
Pollack said they will not use overtime and that the department wants to hire a former State Police officer on a part-time basis at a rate of over $28 a hour.
Commissioners are scheduled to take formal action during next Tuesday’s regular meeting.
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