(WDBJ7) Sheriff’s deputies in the Commonwealth aren’t being paid enough, the Virginia Sheriff’s Association says.
Starting deputies in Virginia make $31,009, or $2,584.08 per month.
The qualifying salary of federal assistance is $2,628.00 if the deputy is married and has two dependent children.
Some localities supplement salaries, but not all towns and cities can do that.
Grayson County Sheriff Richard Vaughan said raises for deputies have been in the budget before, but are removed when state revenue was too low.
He explained, “It’s discouraging that our deputies qualify for public assistance when they’re out here on the front lines at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning answering domestic disputes, working hard, and then having to work a second job when they’re off just to make ends meat.”
The Association is asking for the General Assembly to approve a 6-8% raise for deputies across Virginia and make it a top priority.
The turnover of first year deputy sheriffs for all localities (including the localities that supplement) is 21.3% according to the Compensation Board. This leaves many sheriffs’ offices as the de facto training agency for other law enforcement agencies, both local and state. As soon as deputies are hired and trained, they begin the search for a better-paid law enforcement profession.