Banking on it

THE STORY: County commissioners unanimously approved a 12 percent raise for sheriff's deputies' starting pay and a 9 percent raise for seasoned peace officers during a second round of budget hearings Tuesday morning.

THE LINK: www.oaoa.com/news/mcneill_19610___article.html/donaldson_deputies.html

THE POLL: Do you think sheriff's deputies should have gotten an 18 percent pay raise?
>> Yes: 90 percent (28 votes).
>> No: 10 percent (3 votes).
YOUR COMMENTS:
>> rainbow517: "Maybe the county commissioners and county judge should join the Sheriff's deputies on a 12-hour patrol shift so that they can see first-hand the situations these officers must put themselves in when wearing their badge. Maybe then, these elected officials will have better respect for our deputies. Maybe then, these elected officials will decide that they are not the ones who deserve the raises they give themselves, but rather that money should go towards better pay for the people who really deserve it - our licensed county peace officers."
>> suprmom: "Hmmmm lets see !!
"My husband has been a deputy for many years now and love's every minute of it. He has never considered leaving. Although he has spent more time on the job then at home and has missed many holidays, birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Law Enforcement is his passion. I work as well, but when it comes to family vacations, unexpected medical bills, school cloths, a new baby or babies, college tution and new equipment for him self thats when extra security jobs come in. The SO only and only provides the uniform and much needed training, everything else the deputy is responsible for. This alone is very costly. (OPD officers have everything provided one less cost for them)I truly hate the fact that the SO officers have to take on side jobs just to make ends meet, leaving little or no time for family. We have three children and Im sad to say that all my children will have to remember of their daddy is that he worked and slept. Never has he had time to coach a team and rarely does he have time to attend school events. The life of a police wife is carring his name, honoring his duty to our community, and raising his children alone with the help of a small check twice amonth.
"The Officer Does It For The Love Of The Job!!
"The Family Does It For The Love Of The Officer !!
"NOW YOU TELL ME DO THEY NEED A RAISE !!!"