Appomattox supervisors approve $5,000 incentive for certified deputy hires

Sheriff Robbie Richardson asked the Appomattox County Board of Supervisors to allow a $5,000 addition to starting pay for certified officers the sheriff’s office hires, and the board approved the request in a recorded motion on May 20, 2025.

Richardson told the board the move is intended to retain officers who might otherwise leave for private-sector pay and to avoid the county incurring academy and training costs for uncertified hires. "Quite frankly, completely understand, in today's climate, gotta do what's best for your family," Sheriff Robbie Richardson said, explaining why deputies leave for higher-paying private employment.

County officials discussed the relative cost of paying a certified recruit $5,000 up front versus sending a new hire to the police academy. Richardson said academy training lasts about six months and involves additional equipment and ammunition costs; hiring a certified officer reduces the training period to a few weeks of field training. The board moved to increase the sheriff’s budget to provide the $5,000 incentive when the county hires a certified officer; the supervisors voted in favor of the authorization.

The sheriff acknowledged that the payment would require new funds in cases where the departing officer had been hired during a prior administration and the budget did not already contain a $5,000 allocation. The board’s motion authorized the administrator and finance staff to adjust the budget accordingly; supervisors voted aye to approve the incentive.

The board did not set a change to base pay for uncertified hires; Richardson said uncertified hires would receive base pay and would be trained by the county.