A draft staffing report on the Vilas County Sheriff's department presented Thursday to the county law enforcement committee had 14 recommendations and called for an increase in deputies, cross training, changes in management communications, and changes in jail staff work hours.
The report, prepared by the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, recommends adding three patrol deputies and two jail staff.
Presently there are 20 deputies and the study suggests this was not sufficient to meet the expected calls for service. Excess overtime in the jail could be reduced with adding two positions and changing to a 12 hour work shift. The study also suggests civilian staff be used for record keeping rather than correction officers and correction officers be cross trained as deputies.
Vilas County board chairman Ron DeBruyne indicated he always questioned if more people were needed verses managing present resources better. The law enforcement committee will discuss the final report after it is received.
