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Sheriff names new jail administrator and explains civilian detention-supervisor roles
Summary
The sheriff reported weekly jail population figures, introduced new jail administrator Summer Bess, and outlined the department’s move to hire civilian detention supervisors instead of commissioned deputies for some positions.
The St. Francois County sheriff reported an average inmate population of 155 and introduced Summer Bess as the county's new jail administrator during the commission meeting.
The sheriff said average daily population for the week was 155 inmates, including 131 males and 24 females. He introduced Summer Bess, who previously served as a sergeant, school resource officer and lieutenant, and said she will run the county's detention center. Bess told commissioners she hopes to "reduce liability for the county and the sheriff's office" and will develop a plan once she assumes her duties.
The sheriff also described a staffing change in the detention center: the department is hiring civilian detention officers to serve in supervisory roles equivalent to corporal. He said the pool of applicants for commissioned deputy positions has shrunk and many people who want to work in detention do not intend to become sworn deputies. The sheriff said civilian supervisors will be paid slightly less than commissioned deputy corporals but often bring correctional experience from the state Department of Corrections.
Why it matters: The staffing change is designed to keep detention operations staffed while aligning pay and duties with available candidates, and the appointment of a new jail administrator signals leadership continuity in detention operations.
What the record shows and does not show: The sheriff provided operational figures and personnel updates; the transcript does not show any formal action or vote by the commission on the hire or on a change to classification and pay; no salary figures were presented in the transcript.
