Derek Rankin, chief deputy of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, told the county finance committee on Aug. 12 that the department is proposing two additional patrol deputies to reach four officers per shift and reduce mounting overtime and training costs.
Rankin said the patrol force currently includes 23 deputies, plus 16 corrections deputies and 10 telecommunicators across the office’s divisions. He described a staffing model with 15 patrol deputies on 12-hour shifts and 8-hour deputies handling office duties. “We have 23 deputies,” Rankin said, describing the current mix of 12-hour and 8-hour positions.
The proposal aims to move the department from minimum staffing—two deputies on day shifts and three on night shifts—to four deputies each shift. Rankin said the change would allow the department to run required in-person training during normal hours instead of paying overtime to backfill those shifts. He presented calculations showing the department could save roughly $57,004.50 in overtime if it reached four deputies per shift, and said existing squad cars and equipment would accommodate the two hires without immediate vehicle purchases.
The presentation detailed the training burden on patrol: frequent firearms, control-tactics, Taser, high-risk traffic-stop, medical and crisis-intervention training plus scenario-based and specialty training (SWAT/joint operations, designated marksman, K-9 and drone operators). Rankin said many of those courses require classroom time or in-person certification and add hundreds of hours of required training per deputy per year. He described a temporary “float sergeant” and float deputies that have reduced overtime in prior years but said a permanent increase in staff would be a more sustainable solution.
Rankin also summarized hiring timelines: recruits require about 16 weeks of academy instruction, followed by roughly three months of field training, so a new hire typically takes seven to eight months before providing full shift coverage. He described recruitment challenges—applications for patrol and corrections remain lower than in past years—and outlined the county’s existing contract for training and equipment costs. Estimated direct hiring startup costs (medical/psych testing, uniform allowance, vests) were discussed in general terms; Rankin said some typical onboarding costs are about $1,800 for medical/psych testing and roughly $4,000 for clothing/uniforms and that many capital items (vehicles, radios) are already on hand and would not require immediate purchase for the two positions.
No formal vote occurred on Aug. 12. Committee members asked that the staffing request be reflected in the draft budget so the board can consider either a budget amendment or a separate resolution; Rankin offered to provide more detailed cost breakdowns on the request if the committee desired.
The sheriff’s office also described related corrections and transport impacts, including increased obligations to retrieve detainees from other jurisdictions within statutory timeframes and the departmental use of a transport van for multiple inmates to reduce duplicate trips.
Committee members and staff said they appreciated the slide presentation and asked for follow-up materials (detailed cost model, recruiting plan and a clearer timeline) before any final budget action.