New contract could boost UCSO staffing

By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette

Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton said the department’s new contract may be a “game-changer” for staffing issues at the agency.

After spending the better part of the last year or more traveling the state in search of new recruits, Patton said this new agreement should help the sheriff’s office be competitive with neighboring agencies and also, hopefully, retain deputies at the sheriff’s office.

“A few weeks ago I met with the county commissioners because this was specific to salaries and dealing with budgets. I proposed a solution to our hemorrhaging and our massive bleed at the sheriff’s office with staffing conditions,” he said. “I’m ex…

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