The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office could be added to the
list of sheriff’s departments that can classify their jail staff,
including custodial workers, as peace officers
– a designation to boost recruitment.
The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office could be added to the list of sheriff’s departments that can classify their jail staff, including custodial workers, as peace officers – a designation to boost recruitment.
The local office’s potential addition to the list is part of legislation authored by Assemblyman Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto. It is currently awaiting committee assignment in the State Senate. The bill is intended to help counties with their staffing and recruitment efforts at jails, and each year new municipalities are added to the list, said Laura Ortega, Berryhill’s chief of staff.
“(It) helps smaller rural counties the most,” she said.
Mariposa and Lake counties also would be added to the list.
