Difficulties in hiring new law enforcement recruits

Law enforcement agencies play a huge part in keeping our communities safe, but they can have trouble when it comes to hiring new officers or deputies.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is currently hiring. They are especially looking for female jail deputies, but they tend to have some difficulties when it comes to the overall hiring process.

“We often times run into background issues,” Sgt. Bryan Lovell with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, said. “People that have had previous drug use or a criminal history.”

The sheriff’s office recognized that they have a responsibility to the community and want quality people for the job. Drug use and a history of theft are some of the biggest issues that make applicants ineligible.

“Things like theft or employee theft that’s in someone’s background,” Sgt. Lovell said. “Those are things that we need to be, we need to take into consideration in that process.”

Law enforcement doesn’t always have the best image in today’s world. That, and the dangers of the job, can keep people from applying.

“I think it has played a little bit of a factor,” Sgt. Lovell said. “I mean it weighs on the minds of all of our employees here.”

Sgt. Lovell is appreciative of the support from the Bonneville County area.

“The bulk of our community supports what we do in our mission,” he said. “And we see that, we feel it, we appreciate it. And that helps us do a better job.

Not only is the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office hiring, but the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is too. They are accepting applications for reserve deputies.