The Franklin County Sheriff's Office plans to recruit a diverse group of people to fill open positions with the help of a new chief deputy in charge of recruitment, diversity and inclusion.
Chief Deputy Marvin Hill joins the department after retiring from a similar position with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Hill said he wants to find lateral recruits from other departments, and reach people in local neighborhoods.
“We need to get out into the community and build positive relationships with a diverse, diverse group of people. So get involved in all the community areas, especially the minority, community areas, and talk to the young people and let them know that this is an opportunity for a career, not just a job," Hill said.
Hill says diverse recruits bring diverse experiences to the table, which make the agency better at responding to a diverse community.
"Diversity is not just ethnicity, or what someone looks like on the outside. It's about the vast amount of thoughts and experiences that they bring to the table. Everyone has very many life experiences," Hill said.
There is an entry-level deputy position that 18-year-olds can hold before they complete peace officer training, Hill said. That can make it easier to become a full-fledged deputy at the age of 21, with more training.
Hill says non-deputy positions offer a living wage with fewer requirements. Recruits will still need to pass exams and screenings, but at age 18, positions are available in clerical work, at the jail and in security.
More information is available on the Franklin County Sheriff's Office website.
