Klamath County OKs exception to hiring freeze to refill patrol deputies amid rising calls for service

The Klamath County Board of Commissioners voted to approve an exception to the county’s general-fund hiring freeze to post and hire vacant patrol deputy positions, after the sheriff’s office reported a sustained rise in calls for service and concerns about officer safety and burnout.

Human-resources director Andrea Lissette requested the hire on behalf of Sheriff Shane Mitchell, saying the department sought an exception to fill vacant patrol positions. Sheriff Mitchell told the board that calls have increased materially: 31,080 calls in 2023 and 36,350 in 2024, and year-to-date monthly figures that show an accelerating trend. He said the sheriff’s office currently has 16 patrol deputies assigned to cover calls and that “Officer safety is a big issue with that.”

Commissioners debated the request at length. One commissioner cited ORS 368.206, noting that state law permits use of certain road-fund dollars for patrol functions and argued the county needs immediate hires to avoid a long-term staffing collapse. Other commissioners agreed public safety is a priority but pressed for clear answers about sustainable funding and the duration of any hires given anticipated road-fund and reserve shortfalls.

The board noted a discrepancy in vacancy counts between HR and the sheriff’s office during the meeting; HR initially listed four vacant patrol positions, then confirmed five. Commissioners recorded that deputies take about a year to recruit and train and emphasized that delays will lengthen staffing shortfalls.

After discussion, the board approved the exception and the posting/hiring authority by voice vote. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

What the board decided - Approve an exception to the general-fund hiring freeze to post and hire vacant patrol deputy positions (HR and sheriff’s office to proceed).

Why it matters County officials said call volume and staffing levels have created operational stress in the sheriff’s office, constraining follow-up work and increasing burnout among deputies. Commissioners also warned that using one-time or constrained revenue sources to cover recurring patrol costs could force future cuts to other county services unless a sustainable funding mechanism is found.

Implementation notes and timeline Sheriff Mitchell and staff reported that new recruits typically undergo roughly six weeks in the academy and a roughly six-week field-training (FTO) period, so new hires could take roughly 12 weeks to be independently effective after hiring, depending on experience. Commissioners said they will continue parallel work on longer-term funding options, including the public safety district effort noted during the discussion.

Key facts from the meeting (as stated on the record) - Calls for service: 2023 = 31,080; 2024 = 36,350 (per Sheriff Mitchell). - Monthly January comparisons cited by the sheriff: Jan 2023 = 4,738 calls; Jan 2024 = 4,917; Jan 2025 = 5,317 (partial month statistic presented as illustrative by the sheriff). - Deputies on patrol at time of discussion: 16 (figure presented by sheriff’s office). - HR/sheriff vacancy count: HR initially showed 4 vacant patrol positions, sheriff’s office said 5; the board proceeded using the higher count.

Speakers (attributed in this article) - Commissioner Minty, Chair, Klamath County Board of Commissioners (government) - Commissioner Nichols, Commissioner, Klamath County Board of Commissioners (government) - Commissioner DeGroot, Commissioner, Klamath County Board of Commissioners (government) - Sheriff Shane Mitchell, Sheriff, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office (government) - Andrea Lissette, Human Resources Director (government)

Actions referenced - Motion: Approve exception to the hiring freeze and authorize posting and hiring of vacant patrol deputy positions. Mover/second: not specified in the record. Vote: unanimous voice vote; tally recorded as 3 yes, 0 no. Outcome: approved.

Provenance - topicintro: {"block_id":"block_91.57","local_start":0,"local_end":140,"evidence_excerpt":"Sheriff Mitchell. The reason we're asking for these positions, I did I did some numbers... 2023, there was 31,080 calls. 2024, there was 36,350 calls..."} - topfinish: {"block_id":"block_1074.655","local_start":0,"local_end":40,"evidence_excerpt":"I'll call the question. All in favor signify with an aye... Chair votes aye. Any opposed by the same side? No. Motion passes."}