Many will apply, and many will lie

By KEITH COUSINS

Staff Writer

COEUR d’ALENE — Applications have poured in for 14 detention deputy positions at the expanding Kootenai County jail.

Most of them aren’t very good.

“The biggest two issues are drug use and dishonesty,” said Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger. “You’re coming to work at the Sheriff’s Office; don’t lie on your application.”

Since December, the county has received approximately 300 applications for entry level and lateral — applicants with previous law enforcement experience — detention deputies. Of that pool, said Kootenai County Director of Human Resources Skye Reynolds, only three have been hired. Another 40 are still awaiting the results of testing or background checks before continuing on with the hiring process.

Construction for the $12 million jail expansion has already begun and could take up to 16 months to complete. The project will not increase taxes because it will be built with the county's surplus funding.

The expansion will include 122 total beds, a laundry area, indoor/outdoor recreation spaces and program rooms.

More inmates means more personnel to monitor them, and county commissioners agreed to fund the first six of 14 detention deputy positions, which allows hired individuals to be trained and ready to go when the expansion is completed.

The total annual cost for the first six deputy positions is $363,534.

Wolfinger spoke highly of the three positions his office has filled so far. However, he also said finding quality applicants for jail positions has been a challenge sheriffs are facing nationwide.

Prevalent drug use among applicants, Wolfinger said, includes a wide range of illegal narcotics, rather than the majority being Washington residents who use marijuana legally in their home state.

When asked by The Press what the benefits are of starting a law enforcement career in the jail, Wolfinger first mentioned it’s where he got his start. The position, Wolfinger said, has competitive benefits and good pay, along with being a good way to get your foot in the door and work toward a potential position as a patrol deputy.

“You learn people and you learn the ins and outs of law enforcement,” Wolfinger added. “But you’ve got to be willing to work.”

Applicants are encouraged to review the job requirements, and apply online at www.kcgov.us.

Lying isn’t recommended.