By Joanie Baker, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
Jul. 24–The Daviess County Sheriff’s Department will soon undergo an organizational restructuring in an effort to better represent the growing roles of administrative staff.
The new format — which will include a fluctuating supervisor’s shift to reduce overtime — will go into effect Aug. 1.
Sheriff Keith Cain said he has been considering the changes for about a year, and the recent departure of some staff members provided an opportune time to begin initiating the plan.
“Fortunately, over the past 30 years, our office has experienced considerable growth, yet our organizational structure has remained relatively unchanged,” Cain said. “The responsibilities of our supervisors, in particular, has expanded considerably.
“These promotions recognize their efforts and ensure compensation more representative of their increased duties,” Cain said.
The new restructure has become necessary with the departure of Lt. Joe Green, who will retire July 31, and several deputies who have transferred to the Owensboro Police Department or moved to federal agencies.
Most of the changes do not involve pay changes, with the exception of the deputies moving into officer positions or officers actually climbing rank.
For example, Capt. Jeff Jones, who is second in command to Cain, will begin using the title Lt. Colonel Chief next week but will not receive a change in pay.
The two lieutenants at the department, J.D. Marksberry and Bill Thompson, will become captains of patrol and criminal investigations, respectively.
One of the recognizable changes will be the using a split-shift supervisor to oversee second and third patrol shifts. Sgt. Ottaway Kirby will become a lieutenant and will either work from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. or cover any deficiencies in manpower during either of the patrol shifts.
A newly appointed sergeant, Cpl. Barry Smith, will oversee the first shift.
Cain said Kirby’s ability to fill in should help alleviate some of the overtime issues inflicted by last year’s budget cuts that essentially led to the elimination of a deputy’s position.
“This is not the downsizing of the department, but it does help us deal with reduction in staff caused by budgetary restraints,” Cain said.
Other noticeable changes include a sergeant’s position over court security being turned into a lieutenant’s rank to encompass the growing responsibilities of the position at the judicial center.
Sgt. David Underhill will be promoted to that position. Cain said consideration has been made to possibly placing a sergeant under him in the future.
“This rank structure will serve us better than what we have had in the past,” Cain said.
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