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Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of columns Dr. Banton is writing for The Herald, using his local, regional and state government experience to explain why the Cumberland Sheriff’s Office needs more funding. 

Back on Feb. 25, Cumberland Sheriff Darrell Hodges explained what he needed. He told the board of supervisors that the adopted sheriff’s office budget this year came in at $1.263 million. He’s asking for a budget of $1.314 million, but the increase isn’t for new items. It’s just to maintain what’s already taking place. 

The underlying core of the message Sheriff Hodges delivered to the Board was public safety “is” a fundamental responsibility of government entities, dedicated to safeguarding its citizens, maintaining order, and promoting secure communities. In an absolutely professional manner, Hodges emphasized that his department, which has been at the forefront of maintaining public safety, preventing crime, and protecting Cumberland’s citizens, cannot effectively carry out their mission with (1) defective equipment, (2) being understaffed and (3) having an appropriated budget that does not meet the rapidly growing needs of the sheriff’s department.

Today’s policing requires the adoption of advanced technologies such as crime mapping tools, new surveillance systems, newly developed communication systems, as well as updated high performance police vehicles. It is of paramount importance that local governments proactively identify and swiftly respond to the needs of its police departments.

It is imperative that county governments, such as the Cumberland County Board of Supervisors, understand that their biggest  responsibility is ensuring the well-being of all first responders and citizens within the borders of Cumberland County. Perhaps the supervisors do not know that a county in Virginia “can” be sued for negligence, for which there are specific rules and procedures that must be followed. Essentially, a person needs to prove the county owed them  a duty of care, and that breach of duty directly caused your injury and damages.

Establishing a ‘duty of care’

Did you know the county has the same duty of care as a private citizen to avoid causing harm? What else can we mention here? How about the term breach of duty? That means the county failed to act as a reasonably prudent person would have acted under the same circumstances. 

Let’s say an accident takes place involving a county vehicle such as a police car that was involved in a collision because it had defective brakes or a failure to repair an important component of its steering. Or maybe an injury was sustained from falling due to slipping in a courthouse due to failure to maintain safe footing on the floor. An injury in a courtroom caused by a defendant who attempted an escape during his trial because of a lack of enough deputies to protect the gallery is another issue. Or what about a failure by a courtroom deputy to find a hidden handgun in the pocket of someone who injures someone in the courtroom gallery?

In The Herald’s March 7 story, Sheriff Hodges stated that “we have increased dramatically the number of Emergency Custody Orders” (ECO) and “Temporary Custody Orders”(TCO). Each of these are essential because a person may harm themselves and/or is believed to present a substantial risk of serious harm to themselves or others. These situations require the presence of an officer to take the person into custody and transport them to the nearest medical facility. Until that person is released or assigned to a mental health facility, officers have to be there. Even the most casual reader can understand that those officers “are not” out in the county dealing with or preventing crime.

Cumberland Sheriff’s Office loses money

Numerous citizens have expressed their surprise and concern that the Cumberland Sheriff’s Office has had to rely on the Cumberland County School bus garage to repair/maintain vehicles from the Sheriff’s office during the past several years. Without any warning, the bus shop has started charging the Sheriff’s office for the maintenance of their police vehicles. 

Cumberland Board Vice Chairman John Newman remarked that “county departments going to other county shops doesn’t guarantee they’re saving money. Since the school district and the sheriff’s office are both funded by the county, it’s basically cross charging, moving money from one department to another. However, no money actually goes out and no money comes in.” The obvious problem is that the sheriff’s office still loses money in this equation. 

Hodges noted that one of his budgetary issues was the starting salary of a Cumberland deputy, which at $50,000 was about $11,000 lower than several nearby counties. Such a difference creates a significant problem for hiring and keeping the best candidates. Another problem was the increase in the Police Academy dues (charges) for officer training. He also reminded the Board that new officers require the purchase of new uniforms, new equipment, and a considerable number of other costly items.

The costs keep adding up for the department, but the solution from the county can’t simply be cutting back and hoping for the best.