Monterey County struggling to hire new deputies

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said it’s struggling to hire new deputies.

While120 peopleare goingthrough a series of tests Friday and Saturdayto get hired, the Sheriff’s Office said onlythree orfour will actually get a job offer. The agency said strict requirements are holding candidates back. Just ask applicant Chad Janssen.

“Going over the 6-foot wall, through a window, it was a good test on initial strength and speed,” said Janssen.

An Army veteran from Gilroy, Janssen said he’s always been interested in a career in law enforcement.

“I spent the last 12 years in the U.S. Army and I just want to kind of continue service somehow,” said Janssen.

But for now at least, Janssen won’t be serving in Monterey County after he failed the mile and a half run. It’s something all candidates must complete after a daunting obstacle course.

Even if they do pass the physical tests, then comes a thorough background investigation.

“We’re going to look at least10 years of your life and see what’s going on. Now just because somebody has done something wrong in their life, does that mean they can’t be a deputy sheriff? No. But there’s certain things that it does mean that,” said Cmdr. John Thornburg with the Sheriff’s Office.

And it doesn’t end there. “If they get through the background investigation now we have a physiological exam and a medical exam and that’s a lot for people to go through,” Thornburg said.

Still, if you really want to serve the community, event those like Janssen say it’s worth it.

“Just kind of kicked by butt today. I wasn’t able to push through and pass. I will continue to train and get back out there and try again. I’m not going to give up on that goal,” said Janssen.

It’s no secret the Sheriff’s Office is short on staff after pulling 18 deputies off the streets and reassigning them to the jail. Currently, the agency does have four people in the academy but 20 positions still need to be filled.