It's been a long-running challenge, but the DeWitt County Sheriff's Department currently has a full roster of deputies.   Sheriff Mike Walker was a guest on the WHOW Morning Show Thursday and reported that a few new hires have put the department fully staffed for the first time since he was elected to the position in 2018...

The challenges facing law enforcement agencies looking for applicants have been well documented.  Sheriff Walker notes that finding adequate applicants is one challenge, but also keeping good officers at the local level is another hurdle...

Sheriff Walker feels that having a full roster of deputies on the road means more services provided to DeWitt County residents....

Walker believes that local coverage is especially important at a time when the county is seeing less presence from the Illinois State Police.  According to Walker, current trooper levels mean only four state police officers are typically on duty covering the six-county Troop 5 area...

Even with a full complement of deputies on the road in DeWitt County, the Sheriff's Department is still currently looking to fill an open position.  Sheriff Walker says they're currently in need of one correctional officer position.  Interested applicants should contact the DeWitt County Sheriff's Office.