By HEATHER RUPPE
Law enforcement officers in Colleton County have received a pay raise, a move made by local leaders that the county’s sheriff hopes will help to fill some long-vacated positions.
During the March 1st Colleton County Council meeting, council members went into executive session to discuss the pay increases. Council came out of that closed-door session and voted to approve the county-wide raises for all law enforcement officers.
The raises increase basic pay for deputies by $2.14 per hour. Detention officers’ pay scales were increased by $1.55 per hour. Dispatchers in the county’s 911-emergency dispatch center also received a $1.76-per-hour increase.
The pay increases go into effect on March 18.
The Colleton County Sheriff’s Office has had a difficult time recruiting employees to its agency. The sheriff’s office has had multiple openings in the last two years, especially for 911-emergency dispatchers. Sheriff Buddy Hill has said a part of the problem in recruiting employees to the local agency is the pay scale: neighboring counties are offering higher salaries to deputies, making it hard for Colleton to compete.
At present, the sheriff’s office still has one opening in its IT department; eight vacant deputy positions; two vacant bailiff positions; seven openings at the Colleton County Detention Center; and seven vacant jobs in the dispatch center.
“Raising wages boosts morale, leads to a more cohesive, productive workforce, with higher citizen satisfaction and support levels,” said Hill. “Additionally, if employees are satisfied with their job and pay, they are less likely to leave, reducing hiring and training costs.
“Higher wages attract more applicants, particularly more highly qualified applicants, and help make up for undesirable aspects of the job, including distance from home.”
In addition to this pay raise, all county personnel received a recent cost of living increase at the beginning of the fiscal year in July of 2021. This second increase was just for deputies, dispatchers, and detention officers.
