Sheriff’s offices across Alabama look to add more women to their ranks

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. ( WIAT ) — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Academy graduated its latest class of recruits Friday morning.

Four are local recruits, while others will serve in more than a dozen counties across Alabama.

CBS 42 spoke with women graduates regarding their thoughts about entering a male-dominated field. They feel strongly about helping others and believe the support is there for women in the industry.

“Many women don’t want to do it because it’s a male-dominated field,” graduate Cheyenne Legg said. “But I think if you want to do it, go for it.”

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has recently launched an initiative to try and hire more female deputies, as roughly 18% of its sworn personnel are women.

CBS 42 learned this is not the only agency in the state alone in this effort.

Kolby Walker will serve with the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, who says the decision came from a passion to help others.

“It makes me feel good, [empowered]. I’m just proud as a mother, as a wife,” Walker said, “Just as a woman in general.”

Limestone Sheriff Brian McLaughlin about the importance of having deputies that reflect the communities they serve.

“It’s easier to relate to,” McLaughlin said, “You have people that look like the community out there.”

While none of the women graduates will be serving in Jefferson County, Sheriff Mark Pettway spoke on plans to meet with students interested in learning about a career in law enforcement.

“We’re always looking to recruit more and more women, promote women within the department,” Pettway said. “To make sure that they have a chance to have opportunities to grow within the department.”

Sheriff Pettway says another factor impacting ongoing recruitment efforts for all deputies is being able to offer a competitive salary.

“We still need to raise our salaries in Jefferson County,” he stated.

Pettway says the starting salary for a JCSO deputy is around $47,000 while other agencies are offering over $60,000. As the squad is down to 50 deputies, he hopes the county commission will boost salaries in the next budget year.

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