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Lee County sheriff credits FOP agreement with enabling lateral hires, easing overtime pressures
Summary
The sheriff reported that changes from a Fraternal Order of Police negotiation expanded pay and allowed lateral hires, enabling the department to hire corrections officers from neighboring counties and reduce overtime costs.
The Lee County sheriff reported to the Public Safety Committee that changes negotiated with the Fraternal Order of Police more than a year ago expanded the pay scale and the ability to hire lateral officers, helping the department recruit experienced corrections personnel from neighboring counties.
From the sheriff's report: “From the successful FOP negotiations over a year ago, we expanded our Well, obviously the pay scale and then the ability to hire laterals. So we've actually reaped the benefit on hiring a lateral in the corrections division that we actually got from Carroll County. And then now with an opening, we've got another lateral that's looking to come over from the Whiteside County area to us. So should help us tremendously as far as saving on overtime and training and getting somebody out there to hit the ground running right away.”
Why it matters: hiring laterals—officers already trained and experienced—can reduce overtime and training costs and help fill vacancies more quickly, the sheriff said. Committee members did not take formal action; the item was part of the regular departmental report.
