By Cathy Locke
The number of sheriff's deputies on patrol in Sacramento County is the greatest in recent history, and the department is rebuilding after staffing cuts in 2009, Sheriff Scott Jones said today.
But the Sheriff's Department that is emerging following the layoff of 122 deputies in 2009 will be different, Jones said.
Staffing for stand-alone units - such as problem-oriented policing, K-9 and SWAT units - remains below pre-2009 levels.
"We will never look like we did two years ago," said Jones, recapping his first 100 days in office during a Wednesday news conference.
Improvements in service will be achieved through greater internal efficiencies and collaborations with other agencies, rather than increased staffing, he said.
All of the full-time deputies laid off two years ago who had not found other employment have been rehired, Jones said, and emphasis has been placed on restoring patrol services.
The department still faces significant budget shortfalls in the coming year, and Jones said the county inspector general is auditing each division of the department in an effort to achieve greater efficiency.
The department also has initiated a strategic planning process to set annual priorities. The 2011 strategic plan is available online at www.sacsheriff.com.
It includes developing a comprehensive, department-wide volunteer program that could lead to reopening some of the community service centers that were closed due to budget cuts.
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