Sheriff's Office at full strength

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is at 100 percent staffing, but that doesn't mean that 100 percent is enough to protect the county, Sheriff Ron Pierini said Wednesday.

While recruiting has been hard across the country, Pierini said Douglas County has maintained full strength despite the difficulties posed by the retirement of many experienced officers.

A real factor in recruiting new deputies has been the present conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, since the military is an important recruiting ground for law officers.

Pierini said Nevada's policy of allowing law enforcement officers to retire after 20 years with 50 percent of their pay or after 25 years with 75 percent is a powerful incentive for experienced officers to thurn in their badges.

He estimated that 25 people have retired over the past few years.

"But I don't feel we're alone in that," he said.

Pierini said the sheriff's office puts recruits through a grueling set of tests, including a written test, an agility test and an oral board before someone is even considered for employment.

"Then they have to undergo a background check, a psychiatric evaluation and a polygraph test," he said. "That doesn't mean we should lower the standard. I would rather have a vacancy than fill a position with someone who doesn't measure up."

Pierini said a 1/2 cent sales tax proposed to support Douglas County law enforcement is a legacy of safety residents can pass down to their children.

The Legislature's cap on property tax has left little room for expansion in the budget, even should county commissioners make law enforcement a priority.

"We just don't have room for the growth," he said.

When proposing the sales tax, Pierini said he looked for something that would have the least affect on those who might be hard pressed to pay another tax.

In Nevada, no sales tax is charged on unprepared food or prescription medication.

"With a sales tax, 45 percent of the money is paid by people from outside the county," he said. "They often call on our services and it is only fair they pay a share."

Pierini said the sales tax will raise about $1 million a year, which will be put aside for the first five years.

The ballot question is structured so the money can only go to law enforcement related pursuits.

Three-quarters would go to things like manpower or expanding the jail. The rest would go to help defray the costs increased law enforcement would cause other departments such as the District Attorney's Office and the courts.

"We deal with 93,000 calls for service every year," Pierini said. "I tell people we're a 24/7 operation. We're the only local law enforcement service and we're here to protect the community."

He points out that while the sheriff's office is fully staffed, it is well below national standards.

"We should have 34 deputies and six sergeants in the jail for the 80-100 prisoners we have, but we only have 25 deputies and four sergeants. How else is the county going to pay for this."