Sheriff Damon Devereaux and the other 76 sheriffs across the state can now apply for legislature-funded grants through the state’s Attorney General, a welcome financial boost that, unfortunately, doesn’t address the underlying salary issues many sheriff’s offices face.
The Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office Funding Assistance Grant Program, established this year, appropriates $18 million to the Attorney General’s office. It will distribute $150,000 to $300,000 to sheriff’s offices, with the amounts depending on each county’s property tax revenues. The poorest counties will qualify for the most significant funding.
Logan County is one of 17 counties to receive $300,000. Devereaux says with the approval from the Logan County Board of County Commissioners, the majority of the money will be allocated for one-time stipends.
“County sheriffs provide numerous services throughout the state, including ensuring our citizens’ safety,” Representative Kevin Wallace who authored the bill this past legislative session. “Helping counties with the means to recruit and retain sheriffs will provide better protection for all Oklahomans.”
The grant money can be used for any legal expenses except deputy and staff salaries. Sheriff Devereaux highlighted this as a significant issue, as retention of deputies is a constant struggle due to insufficient pay.
“Trying to keep consistent services, consistent training, and stuff like that is really tough based on what I pay versus what just, you know, five blocks away, Guthrie PD pays,” Devereaux said recently to KGOU.
Sheriff Devereaux, who is set to begin his third term in January and is also the President of the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association, mentioned that the new bill does raise salary ranges for deputies and sheriffs to $44,000 to $75,000. However, he and other sheriffs are cautious about making long-term financial commitments, even with the influx of grant money. The funds can be used for one-time stipends for deputies but not for regular salary increases.
Devereaux emphasized the importance of addressing pay disparities to retain qualified deputies. Despite the new funding, the gap between county law enforcement salaries and those of municipal, state, and tribal agencies remains significant.
“During my decade as the chief of police in Guthrie, I made about $64,000. Currently, I make $59,000 and some change. The current Guthrie chief makes $101,000,” Devereaux noted.
The lowest-paid sheriff in the state earns $32,000 a year.
While the grant funds are a welcome relief and will help address pressing needs like updating aging radio systems, Devereaux stresses that the underlying issue of salary disparities must be addressed to ensure the long-term stability and effectiveness of sheriff’s offices across Oklahoma.
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