One can hardly blame the deputies themselves for taking advantage of the opportunity–they may not have had any choice–but something is wrong with a system that pays sheriff’s deputies up to $75,000 a year just in overtime.
Although “master deputy” is the second lowest among nine ranks in the Johnson County’s Sheriff’s Department, five master deputies made more than $48,000 in overtime pay in 2016. Eleven additional master deputies made in excess of $30,000 in overtime pay in 2016.
In fact, employees of the Sheriff’s Department dominate the list of those Johnson County employees paid most in overtime, nabbing 37 of the top 40 spots.
The Sentinel welcomes reader feedback on the hows and whys of this set of circumstances.
