Sheriff wins approval to reclassify courthouse security posts; county OKs 24/7 ComCare security staffing

The Sedgwick County Commission on March 11 approved a package of public‑safety staffing changes advanced by the sheriff’s office: reclassifying courthouse security positions to full sheriff’s deputies and adding personnel to provide round‑the‑clock coverage at the county’s ComCare Community Crisis Center.

Sheriff representatives said courthouse security had relied heavily on retired officers and part‑time staff, producing persistent vacancies and turnover. The proposal reclassifies courthouse security deputies and sergeants to the sheriff’s step plan, eliminates several part‑time courthouse deputy positions and converts vacancies into four full‑time service‑officer positions; the sheriff requested two additional fleet vehicles. The sheriff estimated year‑one staffing costs for the reclassification and position changes (including vehicles) at roughly $447,000 to $547,000 depending on timing, with a projected net savings of about $88,300 after attrition in subsequent years.

Commissioners praised the sheriff’s stewardship of prior budget savings and supported the move as a step toward improving tenure and operational flexibility. The board approved the staffing reclassifications and related budget adjustments by roll‑call vote, 5–0.

Separately, the sheriff requested six additional deputies to provide 24/7 coverage at the new ComCare Crisis Center when it opens. Those deputies would be assigned to patrol beats that cover the crisis center; the sheriff estimated the annual cost at about $683,000. County staff and ComCare leaders indicated that the county’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) funding and ComCare budget would be used to cover the expense moving forward and that the third‑party private security budget currently used for the existing facility would no longer be necessary.

Commissioner comments emphasized staff and client safety at crisis facilities and the partnership between the sheriff’s office and mental‑health providers. The commission approved the ComCare security staffing addition 5–0.

What happens next: the sheriff’s office said it will recruit for the new positions, adjust the budget per the approved plan, and coordinate with ComCare leadership on deployment and CCBHC billing for staffing costs.