LAWRENCE CO. – At Tuesday evening’s meeting of the Lawrence County Council, Sheriff Greg Day addressed the council, updating them on current jail counts, as well as the state of the department’s dispatching unit, which continues to struggle with retaining employees.
Day said that currently there are six dispatchers working for the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, which is at maximum capacity with 11 workers. This is the result of a nearly 100% turnover rate for LCSD dispatchers over the past few years, with only one current employee with over a year of experience, according to Day
Because of understaffing, those working for the department now are asked to work strenuous schedules, with Day saying each works around 8-12 hours over overtime a week.
Additionally, understaffing has required Day to use other department employees, including road officers and an animal control officer as dispatchers to fill holes.
Day also mentioned comparatively low pay as a contributor the turnover rates, with him saying dispatchers with Bedford Police Department often earn $1 more per hour and those working in dispatch for the Indiana State Police Department making an additional $10,000 annually than LCSD.
“The requirements and the stress of this job, combined with pay equivalent of some local retailers and food service positions has just wreaked havoc on our dispatch for a few years,” Day said.
One employee has been hired, but will not be able to help alleviate pressure on others for another few months, as they need to complete required training. He also said he hopes to hire an additional four workers by the end of next week.
Though that would give him a complete staff of 11, those employees could not work until they complete around 230 hours of state required training. Day also noted that five of his current employees have either submitted a resignation notice or have expressed to him that they are seeking jobs elsewhere.
“If I don’t lose anyone by the middle of April, we’ll be alright. But, the chances I don’t lose any of those five are slim,” said Day.
Day also discussed the important role dispatchers play for the county.
LCSD dispatchers send officers to calls for Lawrence County, Oolitic and Mitchell police. They also take 911 calls for all volunteer fire departments and serve as the only authorized ambulance dispatcher in Lawrence County. They also answer phone calls for the department. In 2022, Day said dispatchers answered over 45,000 inbound calls.
“I really do love and appreciate what our dispatchers do every single day and I think it’s important that you all hear what they do and the struggles that they face every single day,” he said to the council. “I think it’s important that the citizens know what they’re facing, because I’m not sure that anybody who is not been in that room understand really understands what they do everyday.”
Potential solutions were discussed by Day and the council.
One option discussed was a pay increase, though no specific amounts were talked about.
The other potential solution was Lawrence County moving to one central dispatch unit for emergency services, the Bedford Police Department and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department. Day
“The true answer I think is a central dispatch in Lawrence County, like what works in so many other counties,” Day said.
Members of the council expressed support for this idea.
“You just said what I wanted to say,” council member Janie Craig-Chenault said to Day following his statement.
“I’ve thought that was the answer for years,” council president Jeff Lytton followed.
Day went on to explain what he felt this was the best solution.
“I’m 100% that is the answer because you can operate with a few less dispatchers, they make more money because we don’t have as many dispatchers and everything is right there at the time. It’s timely, citizens get better service,” he explained.
Chenault said the idea of a central dispatch had been previously discussed, but all parties couldn’t come together to make it a reality, calling the dynamic at the time between the different departments to a “turf war.”
“I can ensure you that I’m 100% on board,” Day told the council.
Day also noted that he has a good relationship with the Bedford Police Department and does not blame them for the county not moving to a singular dispatching unit.
“I don’t know where the breakdown is or has been through the years. Like I said, I’m 23 or 24 days into this. I’m just giving you my perspective,” said Day. “I’m not blaming anyone.”
Jail Report
Day also provided the current jail count at the time of the meeting.
- 96 total inmates
- 72 males
- 24 females
- Four Indiana Department of Correction holds
- 0 parole holds
- 9 Level 6 felons
