Sheriff's captain tells Needles council the city needs a second deputy on patrol; net cost estimated about $222,000
May 30, 2024 | Needles City, San Bernardino County, California
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The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office told the Needles City Council on June 11 that the city needs an additional deputy to ensure two sworn officers are on duty at all times.
The Sheriff's Captain said the department currently pays about $160,000 a year in overtime to cover a 32-hour-per-week gap in scheduled coverage. "We're short 32 hours per week, which is essentially a full-time position," the Captain said, adding that overtime is not sustainable and does not guarantee consistent coverage.
The Captain laid out a cost breakdown: a fully funded deputy, including wages and retirement, was cited near $236,000; after subtracting the current overtime cost, the Captain said the net additional annual cost would be about $76,000, with ancillary equipment and administrative support costs that together bring the net impact to roughly $222,000 a year.
"A fully funded deputy means retirement costs, wages, medical costs — all that stuff is included," the Captain said, and added the sheriff's office agreed not to increase certain contract line items to keep costs lower.
Council members pressed staff to clarify whether the $222,000 figure replaces or adds to the $160,000 in overtime; staff confirmed the $222,000 was presented as the net increase (replacing overtime). Several council members said they supported the goal of guaranteed coverage but wanted to ensure the expense could be sustained within city budgets.
City staff recommended returning with a mid-year budget review and schedule adjustments if necessary; no immediate hiring decision was made. The council asked staff and the sheriff to explore alternatives, keep the public informed and bring a revised schedule or contract amendment to a future meeting.
The Captain also said that many arrests in the city are for violent crimes and that deputies have been assaulted during arrests in the past year, framing the staffing request as both a safety and an operational issue.
The Sheriff's Captain said the department currently pays about $160,000 a year in overtime to cover a 32-hour-per-week gap in scheduled coverage. "We're short 32 hours per week, which is essentially a full-time position," the Captain said, adding that overtime is not sustainable and does not guarantee consistent coverage.
The Captain laid out a cost breakdown: a fully funded deputy, including wages and retirement, was cited near $236,000; after subtracting the current overtime cost, the Captain said the net additional annual cost would be about $76,000, with ancillary equipment and administrative support costs that together bring the net impact to roughly $222,000 a year.
"A fully funded deputy means retirement costs, wages, medical costs — all that stuff is included," the Captain said, and added the sheriff's office agreed not to increase certain contract line items to keep costs lower.
Council members pressed staff to clarify whether the $222,000 figure replaces or adds to the $160,000 in overtime; staff confirmed the $222,000 was presented as the net increase (replacing overtime). Several council members said they supported the goal of guaranteed coverage but wanted to ensure the expense could be sustained within city budgets.
City staff recommended returning with a mid-year budget review and schedule adjustments if necessary; no immediate hiring decision was made. The council asked staff and the sheriff to explore alternatives, keep the public informed and bring a revised schedule or contract amendment to a future meeting.
The Captain also said that many arrests in the city are for violent crimes and that deputies have been assaulted during arrests in the past year, framing the staffing request as both a safety and an operational issue.
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