The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is throwing money at its employee recruitment problems by offering bonuses to people who come with experience. Aspen Public Radio’s Carolyn Sackariason explains.
Starting January 1, new hires who have two or more years of experience in a jail or a certified patrol setting will receive a $10,000 signing bonus from the sheriff’s office.
Public information officer Walt Stowe says the sheriff’s office has had an ongoing ad for deputies in detention and patrol for several years. The idea is to move away from having current deputies train new employees, which creates added work, stress and overtime costs.
With a new incentive to target experienced officers, the hope is that they merge into the system more easily and cost savings will be realized.
Officials hope bonuses also reduce the number of vacancies within the sheriff’s office. Currently, there are six or seven positions that need to be filled in an estimated 100-person shop.
Carolyn Sackariason, Aspen Public Radio news.