For years, the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department has dealt with the problem of not being able to find enough detention officers to staff the county’s two jails – one in Greensboro and one in High Point.
But the “great resignation” during the pandemic and a very tight job market have made matters even worse. So currently the department is offering a $5,000 signing bonus and is putting out press releases advertising the jobs on an almost monthly basis.
On Tuesday, Aug.23, the department put out another release touting the signing bonus and announcing a special information session for those who are interested.
The Sheriff’s Department will be conducting the session on how to become a certified detention officer and get a job in the county’s jails on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. It will be held at the Sheriff’s Department’s Administrative Office at 400 W. Washington St. in Greensboro.
Department officials note, “If you are interested in applying for a career as a Detention Officer or just gaining additional employment information about the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, please join us during this informative session, where we will discuss pay, incentives, certification, work schedules and etc.”
Officers in the Greensboro jail have faced even more stress than usual lately after a good deal of mold was discovered in the Greensboro jail, and inmates had to be moved out of the affected areas while repairs were made and cleanup conducted.
The public was also reminded of the dangers of the job last week when two Forsythe County detention officers were attacked by a jail inmate.
Currently, Guilford County is offering the $5,000 signing bonus for jail guards and there are also a huge number of other perks that the department has been publicizing to entice people to consider this admittedly challenging occupation.
To sign up to attend the session, you can call the Sheriff’s Department’s Personnel and Training Division at 336-641-3387.
Turnover has and will always be high in this profession. What makes it really bad is many people don’t want to work because they are plain old LAZY and wait for the government to wire money into their accounts. Welcome to the new America. I think I saw boats off the Florida coastline with people trying to return to Cuba!
The great republican lie…that people who receive public benefits are just lazy. Some truth about public welfare programs:
– Every six in ten Medicaid-supported adults are EMPLOYED
– 24 million of the total 59 million people that receive welfare are children
– Four out of ten Americans are part of a welfare program for more than three years.
– Over 70% of people that receive SNAP are EMPLOYED
Republicans don’t care about the working poor or lower middle class people. Never will.
You may be right. I’d like to add that despite their posturing, the Democrats don’t give a s^%t about the poor or middle class either.
Throw all the bums out.
Anyone other than a sadist or a perv want this job?
Recruiting will not be successful until there is a management change. Many at the sheriff’s office are waiting, hoping that will occur in a little less than four months. If it does not change many more will leave. They are just hanging on til then. If it does change then you will see a increase in applications. The job as a law enforcement officer/detention officer is not only about money. To the dedicated officer it is also about service and dedication to community. It is about pride, honor and integrity. Under the present administration the last three are in short supply in management. When officers do not feel supported or valued their commitment is tested. Watch what happens with recruitment if a new sheriff is elected.
Who in their right mind would want to work for the fool wearing a Buford T hat acting as sheriff in Guilford County.
Simple answer is to pay them more, maybe 5% – 7% below what deputies earn. Money talks and most people know benefits are not much different regardless of which large city or county you are employed.