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'We don't have enough deputies on duty': Sampson County sheriff voices concerns over staffing shortages

Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton is pleading for more funding from county leaders to fill vacancies in the sheriff's office.

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Sheriff Jimmy Thornton
By
Aaron Thomas
, WRAL reporter

Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton is sounding the alarm about the critical staffing shortage in the sheriff’s office.

Johnson is pleading for more funding from county administrators to recruit and retain.

Thornton told WRAL News that 14 positions remained unfilled in the sheriff’s office. He said it presents safety concerns with fewer patrol cars on the road.

“Certainly, the citizens have got to be concerned if we don’t have enough deputies on duty any given night or weekends as it relates to response time,” Thornton said.

Thornton cited lack of adequate funding, long response times and the vacancies. Earlier this month, Thornton posted on Facebook about the issues the sheriff’s offices faces.

For example, Thornton said a report of shots fired took 34 minutes for deputies to respond. In another case, it took an hour for deputies to respond to a disturbance call.

Thornton estimated it would take half the time or shorter if he had a fully-staffed sheriff’s office.

“We’ve got a large land-mass county,” Thornton said.

On Friday night, Thornton spoke with WRAL News. He is putting pressure on county leaders to prevent the exodus of staff by offering competitive salaries.

“Nobody’s going to work somewhere where they are paid $4,000 to $5000 less,” Thornton said. “There’s no reason, no incentive or anyway possible we’re going to be able to encourage someone to be employed here.”

WRAL News reached out to all five Sampson County commissioners, Sampson County Manager Edwin Causey, Assistant County Manager Susan Holder and Sampson County Finance Director David Clack about the claims made by Thornton.

Holder responded with a statement which reads in part:

"The challenges of staff recruitment, retention and compensation are those of most, if not all, local governments. They are challenges that require judicious consideration and strategic solutions. Our County staff are preparing a report for our commissioners and will be glad to share that with WRAL upon its completion."

Thornton is hoping to see action from county leaders fast out of fears of losing more valuable employees.

“If they recognize we’ve got a problem, I think it’s their burden and responsibility to help us solve it,” Thornton said.

Thornton hopes these issues are brought forward during the Oct. 3 Sampson County Board of Commissioners meeting.

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