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Sheriff urges renewed support for detention officers after 2018 retirement change; warns of staffing challenges
Summary
Sheriff Mark Danos marked Detention Officer Week, said the state removed retirement benefits for detention officers in February 2018, described recruitment difficulties, and urged recognition and legislative attention for correctional staff.
Sheriff Mark Danos used KWCD’s First Watch to highlight Detention Officer Week and to press for better support for detention staff. “These guys and gals are out there putting their lives on the line,” he said, and thanked detention officers for difficult, often thankless work.
Danos told listeners that in February 2018 the state of Arizona eliminated retirement benefits for detention officers and said county advocates, including the Arizona Sheriff's Association, have tried but not succeeded in restoring the benefit. “In 02/2018, the state of Arizona took away their retirement,” he said. “We tried to push the Arizona Sheriff's Association. We tried to push it again this year. We weren't successful.”
He described detention work as especially hard and difficult to staff, and said vacancies are persistent. “Ask any cop that works the streets if they could do that job. Most of them will tell you they couldn't,” Danos said, citing confinement and the challenges of supervising people who do not want to be there. He urged public recognition during Detention Officer Week and said local efforts such as barbecues and morale events are underway.
Danos framed the issue as one of public safety and workforce sustainability rather than announcing new local policy or legislation; he said county supervisors have been among the opponents in the statewide debate over retirement, which he described as a barrier to recruitment and retention.
