Sheriff's Office Temporary Pool

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

Collin County, one of the fastest growing counties in Texas, was struggling to meet the demands of a fast growing population without increasing staff or overtime. One such area was the Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility. The facility had recently implemented a Video Visitation Program designed to provide a method whereby family and friends can visit inmates by using video cameras and a telephone. However, the number of visitors tended to fluctuate significantly, and, due to the program’s small civilian staff, employee absences placed an undue burden on the department resulting in overtime compensation. Because of security requirements and skillful knowledge, outside agencies were not an effective means of relief. To meet the needs of the Sheriff’s Office in a cost effective manner, Collin County developed its own pool of screened and trained temporary employees. The Human Resources Department, working in collaboration with the Sheriff’s Department, ran the application and hiring process. Using primarily former law enforcement workers and past volunteers, the group of temporary employees was hired to meet the needs of the program. The county has already saved $7,200 and is anticipated to save between $20,000 and $30,000 annually using this pool of temporary employees. Overall, this group of internal temporaries met the Department’s fluctuating need while reducing expensive overtime costs.