Title
Receive a report on Sheriff’s Office reclassification
a. Approve to amend the Sheriff’s Office Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Adopted Budget, 1001-230015-60000, to reclassify one vacant (1.0) Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Corrections Facility Support Specialist to one (1.0) FTE Deputy Sheriff - Corrections, as indicated in Attachment A, effective October 13, 2026 (4/5th Vote Required); and
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to incorporate the approved changes in the Sheriff’s Office FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget; and
c. Direct the Human Resources Department to implement the changes in the Advantage Human Resources Management (HRM) system.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Budget Committee:
a. Approve to amend the Sheriff’s Office Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Adopted Budget, 1001-230015-60000, to reclassify one vacant (1.0) Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Corrections Facility Support Specialist to one (1.0) FTE Deputy Sheriff - Corrections, as indicated in Attachment A, effective October 13, 2026 (4/5th Vote Required); and
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to incorporate the approved changes in the Sheriff’s Office FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget; and
c. Direct the Human Resources Department to implement the changes in the Advantage Human Resources Management (HRM) system.
SUMMARY:
The Sheriff’s Office is seeking approval and authorization from the budget committee to reclassify one vacant (1.) FTE Corrections Facility Support Specialist to one (1) Deputy Sheriff - Corrections.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office operates the Monterey County Jail which has an average daily population of over 800 incarcerated persons. The Jail operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Jail continues to face increasing operational and security demands that require specialized capabilities beyond those of the current Corrections Facility Support Specialist classification. To meet these needs and ensure compliance with state standards, the Sheriff’s Office is requesting the conversion of this position to a Deputy Sheriff. This change is essential to maintaining the safety, security, and operational effectiveness of the facility.
A critical area of concern is contraband control. The introduction of prohibited items-whether through inmate movement, vendor deliveries, or unsecured materials-poses a significant threat to the safety of staff, incarcerated individuals, and the public. Effective interdiction requires the ability to conduct searches of persons, property, housing units, and vendor deliveries. These tasks require peace officer authority and cannot be legally or safely performed by civilian staff. A Deputy Sheriff brings the necessary law enforcement training and authority to enforce compliance with jail security protocols, ensuring proper oversight of contract vendors and maintaining the integrity of the facility.
Inmate supervision and movement also demand sworn staff. Deputies are responsible for escorting incarcerated individuals both inside the secure perimeter and to outside destinations such as hospitals and courts. These duties involve maintaining custody, applying restraints, and responding to escape attempts, assaults, or medical emergencies. Civilian staff do not possess the peace officer powers, POST training, or defensive tactics skills required to safely perform these functions. Without a sworn position assigned to this role, deputies must be pulled from essential posts to complete transports and escorts, reducing operational flexibility and increasing overtime expenditures.
Additionally, the Deputy Sheriff classification provides critical emergency response capabilities. Deputies are trained to respond to violent incidents, disturbances, medical emergencies, and other high-risk situations that occur within a correctional environment. Civilian classifications lack both the legal authority and training needed to intervene during volatile incidents. Delayed or insufficient emergency response increases the likelihood of injury, liability, and operational disruption.
Failure to convert this position would result in substantial operational, security, and legal risks. Contraband control gaps would allow higher probabilities of weapons, narcotics, or prohibited items entering the jail. Inmate movements would continue to require reassignment of sworn staff from critical posts, driving up overtime and weakening unit coverage. Assigning law enforcement tasks to non-sworn personnel would violate state regulations and expose the County to compliance issues, litigation, and audit findings. These pressures also negatively impact staff morale, leading to burnout among deputies and placing civilian personnel in situations for which they are neither trained nor authorized.
State and federal standards clearly delineate which duties must be performed by sworn personnel, including searches, enforcement of security protocols, use of force, emergency response, and inmate transport. The current civilian classification cannot meet these requirements. Converting the Corrections Facility Support Specialist position to a Deputy Sheriff ensures legal compliance, enhances operational safety, strengthens emergency readiness, and reflects the evolving needs of the Monterey County Jail.
For these reasons, the Sheriff’s Office recommends approval of the conversion of the position to Deputy Sheriff to support a safe, secure, and compliant correctional operation.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
County Counsel has approved the agreement as to legal form. Monterey County Human Resources Class & Compensation has approved the Request to Reclassify.
FINANCING:
This position will be funded through the Inmate Welfare Fund.
Prepared by: Timothy Lanquist, Chief Deputy, ext. #3887
Reviewed by: Keith Boyd, Undersheriff, ext. #3859
Approved by: Tina Nieto, Sheriff/Coroner, ext. #3750
Attachments:
Class Comp RTC
Resolution
Attachment A