Wilco Sheriff expresses concern for officer shortage

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office is facing a critical staffing shortage. Sheriff Robert Chody is calling on county commissioners to approve his budget recommendation to solve the problem.

"We are unlike other agencies that are typically short in staffing the Williamson County Sheriff's Office is critically short," Sheriff Chody said. "We have a county that is growing at its highest peak ever and we are getting two people average every year and it's not sufficient to the growth we are encountering. Something's got to give or something's going to happen and that's my concern."

First responders are seeing high emergency call volumes and longer response times. Chody said their response time is about 24 minutes well below the national average. His department’s priority for the 2019 fiscal year is 16 more patrol officers alongside 30 other positions in the law enforcement bureau.

However, the budget office has recommended less positions than the sheriff’s office requested.

"The court has a tough job, I wouldn't want the job you know they have more than one person in one department that's considering and I get that. So money is obviously a concern and I get that," said Chody.

Sheriff Chody is now turning to the county commissioners to approve his budget proposal.

Williamson County Commissioner Valerie Covey released this statement: