MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County Sheriffs Office is down hundreds of correction deputies at their three county locations, including the downtown jail where over the weekend authorities say inmates started multiple fires and barricaded themselves in a housing unit.
ABC24 discovered the Shelby County Sheriffs Office correction unit is at half staff. And because of that one of the biggest things they’re offering is a $5000 incentive bonus.
Friday night behind the walls of the Shelby County jail, chaos erupted when authorities say multiple inmates, set several objects on fire then throwing them, before barricading themselves in one of the buildings housing units.
"We will not tolerate this kind of behavior," SCSO Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner says. "This incident is under criminal investigation, and charges are forthcoming."
The sheriff's office says while there were no major injuries it’s this type of incident that highlights the need for more correction deputies in Shelby County.
"We need people to apply," deputy Keith Williams said.
Williams told ABC24 he’s been working with Shelby County Corrections for 25 years and in an effort to close the gap on their deputy deficiency they’ve made it easier to apply.
"We are doing a test pilot right now where you don’t have to do the physical agility test to get in all you have to do is the written and psychological and the interviews to get in right now," Williams said.
SCSO did not take the physical agility test completely away. Before you graduate, you do have to pass physical training.
They also have a college incentive - with a 7.5 percent salary increase for those who have a 4-year college degree
After applying, a 12-week intensive training course starts with 90 days of on-the-job training that follows.