This public letter was contributed by the San Benito County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. BenitoLink invites all community members to share their ideas and opinions. By registering as a BenitoLink user in the top right corner of our home page and agreeing to follow our Terms of Use, you can write counter opinions or share your insights on current issues. Lea este articulo en español aquí.

In light of recent events, The San Benito County Deputy Sheriff’s Association (DSA), who are responsible for the men and women who patrol San Benito County, would like to address, with a heavy heart and a profound sense of urgency, the current state of our Sheriff’s Office patrol operations. 

Our Sheriff’s Office is the backbone of our community, tirelessly working day and night to ensure that the community’s streets are safe, the homes are secure, and the community’s children can grow up in a peaceful environment. Comparatively, the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office patrol Deputies are paid $15,820.48 less than their direct neighbors at Hollister Police Department, along with not receiving a $30,000.00 hiring bonus. While the County Board of Supervisors (BOS) state they have given the DSA a 16% raise, this is far from where we should be. The DSA fought tirelessly during 2024 negotiations to achieve better pay but was met with a quick demise due to the BOS’s long standing history of pattern bargaining with all unions in the county. However, the BOS did see fit to give themselves a 68% raise in the year 2021.

The issue of understaffing further exacerbates this problem. Our current staffing levels on patrol are alarmingly inadequate, leading to increased response times, diminished public safety, most areas of the county going unpatrolled, and a greater risk to both our patrol Deputies and the community. The Sheriff’s Office patrol is typically staffed with only two patrol Deputies for a county that is roughly 1,400 square miles. Because of this, patrol Deputies are stretched thin, often forced to work extended shifts without adequate rest, which not only affects their physical and mental health but also compromises their ability to perform their duties effectively.

It is imperative that we address these issues with the urgency they demand. We need to provide our patrol Deputies with fair compensation that reflects the immense responsibilities they shoulder. Competitive wages are not a luxury but a necessity to retain experienced patrol Deputies and attract new talent to our force. Furthermore, increasing our staffing levels is crucial to ensure that our community remains safe and that our patrol Deputies are not overburdened to the point of breaking. We cannot afford another critical emergency where the Sheriff’s Office patrol division cannot adequately respond, and lives may be lost.

With deepest concern and hope for change,

The San Benito County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.