Richland County’s Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is increasing salaries for detention officers.
At the direction of County Council, starting pay at the detention center will increase from $32,219 to $36,500, effective Aug. 6. The minimum salary for all full-time detention officers will increase to $36,500, so current employees will also see raises.
Council also approved a new pay structure for all detention officers that is designed to improve officer retention, a critical element to ensure appropriate training and mentorship for new officers.
“This change is based on officers’ skills and tenure and ensures competitive pay, as well as giving employees clarity on career growth,” Richland County Administrator Leonardo Brown said.
Find details on the new pay structure by visiting the County’s website: www.richlandcountysc.gov, and navigating to the detention center’s page.
“Council approved this pay increase because our detention officers show up daily to ensure the safety of everyone at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, from the detainees to the staff,” said District 5 Councilmember Allison Terracio, chair of the Detention Center Ad Hoc Committee.
“We hope additional wages will allow Richland County to attract and retain more officers, allowing us to fulfill our responsibility to the community,” Terracio said.
To help cover the extra costs, the County has frozen 60 positions at the jail, said Ronaldo Myers, the detention center’s director.
Detention officers are responsible for maintaining security and safety for the detention center, along with inmates and staff. Officers’ duties include:
- monitoring detention center access and departures
- monitoring security cameras, a closed-circuit TV system, alarm systems, automated locking systems and other specialized security equipment
- processing and booking inmates
- searching, photographing and fingerprinting inmates
- securing inmates’ property and issuing supplies
The job requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent, in addition to required law enforcement coursework. Officers must obtain Basic Jail Officer certification from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy within their first year of employment.
Incentives for officers include paid training, paid holidays and vacation days and full-time benefits, among other perks.
To apply online, visit the careers page on Richland County’s website at www.richlandcountysc.gov/Home/Careers. Applicants must be at least 21 and have a valid state driver's license.