LEXINGTON, SC (WACH)- Like so many industries right now, law enforcement is looking to fill open positions.

For the first time in several years, the Lexington County sheriff’s department is going public to put more deputies on patrol. They want to find workers, and they’re looking to expand.

On Wednesday, the department hosted a face to face hiring event for the first time in years, dating back to before the pandemic.

“We want to get back and meet people face to face, shake their hands, look them in the eye and tell them what we have to offer because everybody is struggling in this country in the job market or no matter the profession, we realize that so we’re trying to up our gain so we can recruit the brightest and the best here in Lexington County", said Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon.

With the recent uptick in violence across the midlands, Koon says national and local tragedies tend to bring more people into law enforcement because they want to give back.

"I think a lot of law enforcement nationally is sometimes tied to national events. We saw it with 9/11, with all the craziness going on in the world of mass shootings, and crime, and upticks we think it would be an opportunity for people wanting to get back in their local communities and get involved."

Three weeks ago, Gov. Henry McMaster lowered the age limit to 18 for correction officers in detention centers. Lexington county officials say it’s a good opportunity for people to get involved in the workforce before being eligible for deputy service when they turn 21.