Civil Division

Court security services are provided by the Civil Division of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office. Currently, they provide security for two circuit courts, grand jury sessions, and a master's court. Ten sworn deputies, five full-time and five part-time, provide the coverage. When one full-time sergeant retired in 1995, the cost in salary and benefits was utilized to initiate the part-time deputies program. Again, with the assistance of the Worcester County Commissioners, we were provided with a better deal for our dollar.

While the full-time sergeant's position was not replaced, the money was utilized to fund one supervisory position (part-time), and four deputy positions (part-time). This has since expanded to cost the county $60,000 annually. If these were full-time positions, the county could face a price of $175,000, plus costs. The part-time deputies are guaranteed a four-hour minimum day when they are needed for court services. They are also trained in prisoner transports, extradition, civil paper service, and other related duties. By hiring police officers recently retired from other agencies, the part- time deputies needed no benefits, and also give the program the professional touch of having trained, seasoned police officers to fill the role. It has also eliminated the initial academy salary cost of over $11,000 from being spent. This part-time deputy program also serves to free up the full-time Civil Division deputies and devote their time to the ever-increasing civil paper-service needs for the county.