Hiring shortage more complicated for Sheriff’s Office, Police Department

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Choosing a career in law enforcement is less common than it used to be, and that is having ripple effects for agencies across Tennessee, including the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Clarksville Police Department.

“Twenty years ago, (if we had a position open) we would have had about 200 applicants,” said MCSO Lt. Mark Wojnarek. These days, the department might get about 30.

There have been recent complaints on social media alleging that the Montgomery County Jail in particular is having staffing issues, but Wojnarek said that’s not the case.

“Our shortage is no more unique to Montgomery County as it is to any other industry, private or public in the state, especially where personnel staff positions in a corrections setting,” he said.

He explained that MCSO has a budget that allots for 428.5 employees, 375 of those being deputies.

“We are short 49 employees,” he said, and that’s across the entire agency.

But he noted that just this week there were 13 new hires.

Hiring is ongoing, he said, but it isn’t done quickly. “In our world (the world of law enforcement), it’s different,” Wojnarek said. “It takes a considerable amount of time for the hiring process.”

Application processes

He said that unlike a typical interview process, hiring for law enforcement can take six to eight weeks.

“We conduct home visits, neighbor visits, screenings and drug screenings,” he said, noting that candidate testing also includes psychological tests, physical fitness tests, and two in-house committee interviews.

“We do this systematically, in a projected manner,” Wojnarek said. “We are constantly in a round of onboarding people.”

Those 13 new hires are now in the onboarding process for the Sheriff’s Office.

At the Clarksville Police Department, Capt. Steve Hamilton of the Professional Integrity Unit said they don’t have many issues keeping employees. He said the agency typically loses 20 to 25 officers per year.

Hamilton said the department’s budget is allocated for 331 officers, and they currently employ 318, so they have 13 officer positions open.

They have allocations for 34 dispatchers and currently employ 34. Hamilton said the department’s budget also includes 39 civilian and professional staff, and they have 38.

“Our agency has seen growth every year for the last 10 years, and our agency has been fortunate to have had support from our city government and city legislative body in supporting the police department’s hiring plan. Typically, our agency hires four times a year,” he said.

Where are the job applicants?

There are some new challenges to hiring qualified candidates in the current environment, Hamilton said.

“People just don’t want to work shift work,” he said. “They want a job where they are home at night, or a job working two days on and three days off.”

Wojnarek said the pandemic further complicated MCSO’s attempt to hire qualified candidates.

People got comfortable with working from home and spending time with their families, he said. “There are no set hours in a public service job,” he said. “In public safety, we are around the clock.”

Wojnarek said although the Sheriff’s Office pays well and has great benefits, it’s not the job for everyone.

“There is a lot of training and work that goes into it, and people want their personal time,” he said. “There will always be a small segment that says, ‘I thought this job was for me, but this job is not for me.'”

Hamilton said some of the reasons employees leave CPD are the same as for most fields: A new job with another law enforcement agency, a new job outside of law enforcement, or a spouse relocating.

“A small percentage of personnel are terminated, and a small percentage of personnel retire,” Hamilton said.

For those interested in a career in law enforcement, Wojnarek said there is a list of qualifications that must be met. They must be 21 years of age, a U.S. citizen, no felony convictions, and a high school diploma or equivalent, he said.

“Then there is internal training that takes place for six weeks; then field training for three months. Officers who are doing road work will be doing in-house training for an additional two weeks,” he said. “Peace officers attend the state academy for 12-13 weeks.”

There is not an out-of-pocket expense for those who pass the pre-test and make it to the academy, he said.

Hamilton said the police department’s hiring process is similar.

“After applying, a candidate is provided a Physical Agility Test (PT test) date. After passing a PT test, candidates take a standardized, validated written test,” he said.

“After the background investigation is complete, a candidate interviews with a deputy chief of police and chief of police. The chiefs evaluate a candidate’s background investigation and interview, which leads to a hiring decision,” Hamilton said.

For those who are interested in applying, Hamilton said the first step is to fill out an application online at the CPD hiring website.

Wojnarek said to apply at MCSO, applicants should email the word “job” to sheriffjobs@mcgtn.net.

Correction: Tennessee Corrections Institute’s name was listed incorrectly in an earlier version of this report. They are not a state agency. The article has been updated.