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.
WHAT DOES AN OFFICER DO? An officer has the following duties:
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
Giving as we have received to help those in need. Two locations, same great savings! 418 E. Northwest Hwy.; Grapevine, TX 700 W. Euless Blvd.; Euless, TX
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 JOINING THE TEAM The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office is looking for qualified candidates to work as detention officers, deputy sheriff’s and 9-1-1 dispatchers. Information is provided at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/tarrant. Amenities include:
Clothes - Furniture - Home Décor & More
$1,500 hiring bonus for detention officers Retirement benefits Meals provided while on duty
Paid vacation and sick leave Employee wellness program $24+/HR starting pay for detention officers
SOURCES: COLLIN, DALLAS, DENTON AND TARRANT COUNTIES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Standards, which comes with a required level of staffing per inmate, Brown said. If the staff does not reach that level, employees must work over- time 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 pri- vate jail near Lubbock because of a staffing shortage and planned main- tenance this year, according to county commissioner agendas. Tarrant County commissioners approved an $18 million contract with Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility for the inmate transfer. Staffing incentives 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
sheriffs and their senior supervi- sors about recruiting, retention and morale in my role as the chair of the Government Affairs Committee for the National Sheriffs’ Association,” Skinner said. “Many counties use various incentives, including com- pensation, recruiting or retention pay, employment and retirement benefits, and training and educational benefits, to improve their situations.” 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 selec- tive about who we select, given the enormous responsibility that they are given in keeping our citizens and communities safe.”
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
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GRAPEVINE - COLLEYVILLE - SOUTHLAKE EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
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