The Morgan County sheriff updated commissioners Sept. 3 on personnel changes and a possible new participation in a state-level 287(g)-style immigration task force that could include grant funding.

The sheriff said the department recently hired a provisional deputy, Kurt Yoder, a former deputy in Berkeley County who will serve provisionally until he passes the civil-service test required when switching departments. The department also filled other vacancies and expects another new hire soon; one officer who had been injured returned to limited duty the week of the meeting.

On immigration enforcement, the sheriff described a program in which deputies would complete a 40-hour online training and then be able to assist with enforcement of federal immigration administrative matters during stops. The sheriff said participation could allow a county deputy to be attached to a regional task force and that partners have indicated grant money could be available — the sheriff estimated funding in the neighborhood of $250,000 if a county member is placed on a multi-county task force. The sheriff said other nearby counties, including Jefferson and Berkeley, have signed up or are participating.

The sheriff noted eligibility requirements discussed on the call: deputies must have at least two years on the force to be eligible for assignment to the task force; deputies currently deployed or on certain assignments would not be eligible until they return. The sheriff said some grant funds could also potentially be used for overtime.

Commissioners asked about timelines and training details. The sheriff said some troopers had been sent to training but enrollment was still rolling; the county had not made a formal decision on participation and staff follow-up was expected. No formal action or vote was taken at the meeting.

Background: The sheriff compared the civil-service testing requirement for transfers to similar tests used to manage department-to-department moves and said the department has been able to fill multiple vacancies since a recent pay raise and grant assistance.