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Deputy Tom George criticizes commissioners over handling of sheriff’s staffing discussion
Summary
A Montcalm County sheriff's office deputy told the board on April 28 that commissioners' public remarks about a perceived 'culture' in the sheriff's office have made recruiting harder and were counterproductive to addressing staffing shortages.
Tom George, who identified himself as employed by the Montcalm County Sheriff's Office but speaking on his own time, used the meeting's public-comment period on April 28 to criticize commissioners for how they handled a prior discussion about amending contracts and sheriff's staffing.
"The views I'm about to express are mine," George said at the start of his remarks. He accused commissioners of turning a recent meeting into an attack on the sheriff and said that public statements implying a culture problem in the sheriff's office would discourage applicants. "One thing this board did accomplish 2 weeks ago is you've now made it harder for the sheriff's office to attract qualified candidates to fill our vacant positions," he said.
George urged commissioners to consider how their words affect recruitment. He said vacancies predated recent events, noting the office started its recruitment effort with a 14-deputy shortfall after a millage passed. "If you think your words and actions don't have consequences, they absolutely do," he said, and added that prospective hires have asked about alleged cultural issues when considering jobs.
He said pay increases the sheriff's office has received brought pay to the regional average but "average doesn't attract individuals to us" in a competitive Michigan labor market. He also disputed claims that a deputy leaving for a smaller agency necessarily proved a cultural problem, calling that inference disrespectful to the smaller agency.
Nut graf: A deputy who spoke during public comment asked commissioners to focus on constructive, private problem-solving rather than public criticism, arguing that negative public remarks can worsen recruitment and morale.
George urged commissioners to practice co-employer responsibilities constructively and to avoid belittling county employees in public meetings; he said employees sometimes feel treated as "just a number." He offered to discuss the topic further in private.
Ending: The board proceeded with its agenda; no formal action was taken in response to George's comments during the meeting.
