BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average law enforcement salary is $56,980 a year. In Berkeley County, that’s significantly less for many deputies.
“You are lucky here in Berkeley County to have the men and women working for the sheriff’s office,” Solicitor Scarlett Wilson told county council Monday night. “What’s happened in the past is that people are having to leave and go work somewhere else, so they can support their families—but their heart is in Berkeley County.”
During Bill Peagler’s campaign for Berkeley County Supervisor in 2014, he vowed to increase the pay for county employees if elected–especially for first responders.
“We came here with a new team this year, and we made some promises, and one was to get more money for our employees, and we are going to continue working towards having the best in Berkeley County,” Peagler told the audience.
Wilson spoke during public comment in support of a proposed ordinance that would provide for supplemental appropriations and allocations within the 2015-2016 county budget. Berkeley County Council passed final reading of the ordinance Monday night.
“The timing of this couldn’t be better or more important. Law enforcement is facing tough battles every day,” Wilson stated during public comment. “It is important for our government and for our people to show support for law enforcement because there are more dangerous threats than ever, and we need them more than ever.”
The ordinance will provide a $2,000 pay increase to 137 deputies, 83 detention officers and 75 paramedics/EMTs for six months starting January 2016.
“When you give the supplemental income, you increase retention. You provide for better morale and you give officers time and opportunity to do a better job,” stressed Wilson. “To give this supplemental income gives people who already want to work here more motivation and more ability to stay here.”
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