Twenty-one new Denver Sheriff Department deputies joined the ranks Friday after being sworn in during a ceremony at the department’s training academy.
The new deputies arrive at a trying time for the department, which is undergoing intense scrutiny after a series of embarrassing excessive-force cases. This year, the department has been hit with nearly $8 million in legal payouts over .
The deputies’ arrival should bring much-needed relief to a department that is short-staffed and is .
Last month, the department spent more than $600,000 on overtime, sending this year’s spending past $6 million.
Most of the extra hours are worked by deputies at the Downtown Detention Center, many of whom work 12-hour regular shifts. The average sheriff department employee works 24 hours of mandatory overtime per week, according to on an ongoing reform effort at the department.
Sheriff Elias Diggins reminded the new deputies that their humanity defines who they are and asked them to always treat the people in their care as equals, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page.
Class valedictorian Than-arat Phuvapaisalkij spoke on behalf of the new recruits.
The new deputies will spend a week meeting various community groups and then will spend a month working with a mentor before assuming regular duties, said Simon Crittle, a sheriff’s department spokesman.
“The department warmly welcomes our newest deputies and acknowledges the challenging, yet rewarding work that lies ahead,” the Facebook post said.
Another 21-member class is expected to graduate early next year, and the includes money for 47 additional deputies.
Noelle Phillips: 303-954-1661, nphillips@ denverpost.com or twitter.com/Noelle_Phillips
