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Sheriff asks Wilson County for 15 correctional officers, 10 patrol cars and one SRO
Summary
The Sheriff told the budget committee he needs 15 new correctional officers to open closed jail beds, 10 patrol cars to replace high-mileage vehicles, and funding for a school resource officer in a new elementary, citing 562 inmates currently housed and heavy overtime costs.
Wilson County Budget Committee — The county sheriff urged the budget committee to fund personnel and equipment increases to address staffing shortages and aging patrol vehicles.
The sheriff told the committee the county’s new jail facility has the new wing housing roughly 562 inmates but much of the older facility remains closed because of insufficient corrections personnel. He said overtime costs for correctional staff have been "crazy," described safety concerns, and formally asked the committee to consider 15 new correctional officer positions.
"I'm standing here tonight asking for 15 new correctional officers," the sheriff said, describing repeated requests in past budget cycles and stressing operational and safety consequences of chronically relying on overtime.
He also requested funding for two additional post‑certified correctional officers to staff a new courthouse for six months, one SRO for a new Central Park elementary (state‑reimbursed for the SRO), and the purchase of 10 patrol cars to retire vehicles with 150,000–200,000 miles and reduce maintenance costs.
Committee members asked how many officers are currently short. The sheriff said the office is fully staffed now except for "maybe two or three" in the immediate past week but emphasized the need to add staff now to avoid continuing overtime and to open additional beds.
What happens next: the request will be considered as part of the overall budget review; committee members noted staffing and roster numbers are still changing and asked staff to incorporate these requests into the next budget iteration.
