FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Cumberland County commissioners approved more than $350,000 to go towards deputies' salaries.
County leaders said law enforcement officers make 10 percent less than deputies in similar counties. The low pay has resulted in high turnover rates and a 45 percent vacancy rate.
Starting March 1, entry level deputies and detention officers will see a roughly $2,000 salary increase. Pay for captains and above will remain the same.
"It's going to take an incentive to get the new generation to do this type of job," Lieutenant with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Sean Swain said. "With the scrutiny that law enforcement is under, people just don't want to come do this job."
There's also a hiring event Wednesday, February 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the N.C. Works Career Center in downtown Fayetteville.
The event is open to anyone interested in entry level deputy and detention officer positions.