WHAT IS A DETENTION OFFICER? The detention officer performs specialized law enforcement work in the care and security of inmates to ensure their constitutional rights and welfare are protected in the county jail.
LIVING THE SUITE Life — SALES EVENT —
WHAT DOES AN OFFICER DO? An officer has the following duties:
WHEN YOU PURCHASE A NEW COVENTRY HOME BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1-28, 2023*
Admits prisoners to the county jail and ensures inmates are properly booked and searched Patrols entire jail area to prevent escapes and maintain order Prepares and transports inmates to and from court, visitations or medical appointments
Inspects the cleaning of jail to meet requirements of state and local officials
Supervises inmate trustees performing various duties, such as serving meals to inmates
DETENTION OFFICER QUALIFICATIONS A detention officer must meet the following qualifications:
U.S. Citizen
High School diploma or GED required
20,000 IN PRIMARY SUITE UPGRADES — RECEIVE UP TO — $
At least 18 years old Possession of a valid driver’s license Must attain certification by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement as a jailer within one year of employment
New Homes from the Upper $400s - Mid $700s
SOURCES: COLLIN, DALLAS, DENTON AND TARRANT COUNTIES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
The Living the Suite Life Sales Event applies for the purchase of a to-be-built home only, from Coventry Homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area with an original Contract purchase date of February 1, 2023 through February 28, 2023. Purchaser will receive up to $20,000 in credit towards primary suite options and upgrades chosen at the Coventry Homes Design Center and included in the sales price of the home. THE AMOUNT OF CREDIT VARIES PER COMMUNITY. The options vary per community. The Living the Suite Life Sales Event is subject to cancellation at any time and may not be available in conjunction with other promotions, price discounts and/or purchase incentives. The Living the Suite Life Sales Event does not apply to BOYL sales. See your community Sales Counselor for more details.
Texas Commission on Jail Standards, which comes with a required level of staffing per inmate, Brown said. If the staff does not reach that level, current employees must work overtime to meet that state requirement. “We have to get creative,” she said. Tarrant County has experienced its own set of challenges because of staff- ing shortages. In August, Tarrant County sent 432 inmates from its county jail to a private jail near Lubbock because of a staffing shortage and planned maintenance this year, according to county commis- sioner agendas. Tarrant County Commissioners approved an $18 million contract with Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility for The local sheriff’s departments have turned to recruiting, incentive pay and other perks to help fill in the staffing holes. “I regularly speak with other sher- iffs and their senior supervisors about recruiting, retention and morale in my role as the chair of the Government Affairs Committee for the National Sheriffs’ Association,” Collin Coun- ty’s Skinner said. “Many counties use various incentives, including com- pensation, recruiting or retention pay, employment and retirement benefits, and training and educational benefits, the inmate transfer. Staffing incentives
to improve their situations.” Dallas County has been doing recruiting fairs to bring people to the job. Brown also regularly visits with commissioners about the issue, she said. In Denton County, the department created temporary positions that were part-time as a way to attract people like retirees or people who don’t want or need a full-time job, Eads said. The county commissioners also approved a pay raise during the fall for county employees, including those working in the jail. The start- ing salary increased two pay grades, which was about 15%, Eads said. County employees who also recruit people to work will receive $500 in incentive pay. Despite staffing shortages, Skinner still wants people who are right for the job. “These professions take commit- ment and resolve,” he said. “We want the right people. We plan, train and budget for them. We are very selective about who we select, given the enor- mous responsibility that they are given in keeping our citizens and communi- ties safe.”
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
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FLOWER MOUND - HIGHLAND VILLAGE - ARGYLE EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
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