By C1 staff
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is asking for $2 million to take on a Department of Justice mandate to convert all juvenile court officers to deputies.
WMC Action News reports that the money would allow the sheriff’s office to fill 10 vacant positions, train the 92 detention officers and 18 bailiffs already on staff, give them raises and shift duties from the Juvenile Court to the sheriff’s office.
WMC Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee
These changes were mandated by the Department of Justice after a closer look at Shelby County’s juvenile system found discrimination against black children and was found unsafe for juveniles in custody.
The conversion of detention and security officers is part of one of the reforms required by the federal government.