Balanced budget = Public safety?
July 10, 2008-Pinellas Sheriff’s Office to cut 25 jobs
Pinellas County will be short 25 more deputies this summer after Sheriff Jim Coats announces a new round of layoffs this afternoon, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release.
The layoffs, effective Aug. 8, will slash 22 patrol deputies and three deputies from the department’s court security division. Officials say the deputies have been with the Sheriff’s Office for the shortest amount of time.
Sheriff’s officials say the announcement will mean a loss of at least 225 certified and civilian positions since County commissioners recently ordered Coats to cut 10 percent from his budget.
Coats will hold a news conference at 2:30 p.m. to announce the layoffs.
Despite the cutbacks, officials are offering a silver lining: human resource personnel with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand to speak with deputies interested in working there.
Casey Cora, Times staff writer