Sheriff's Department Runs Short Of Funds

In Muskogee Saturday sheriff Cliff Sinyard told his deputies he would do anything, even work for free, so they could keep their jobs. <br><br>At 22 years old, Muskogee County Sheriff's Deputy, Brian

Sunday, February 27th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

In Muskogee Saturday sheriff Cliff Sinyard told his deputies he would do anything, even work for free, so they could keep their jobs.

At 22 years old, Muskogee County Sheriff's Deputy, Brian Hackett has dreams of a long term law enforcement career.

"I can say I love my job, and it's not for the money either," says Hackett.

So, it doesn't bother him when, somedays, he works 16 hours and only gets paid for 8.

"Just come out here and do our job and do it the best we can," says Hackett.

Sinyard asked his deputies to continue pulling up their sleeves to fight crime. He says, his budget, which ends in July, could be short by $200,000 or more. The sheriff blames the shortfall on the cost of locking up lawbreakers.

"As a law enforcement officer, I don't want to turn the criminal loose," says Sinyard.

The department relies on making money by taking in state and federal prisoners. The sheriff says his deputies are putting more of the counties' serious criminals behind bars, so there is less room for those who pay rent.

"So those two things butt heads, if I arrest more people , I cause us to have a budget problem," says Sinyard.

The sheriff thinks the best way to bring in more money is to build a larger jail. When the county jail was built in 1986, it was designed to house two more floors. That would equate to 200 more beds. In the meantime, Sheriff Sinyard is looking for ways to make cuts without layoffs.

On Monday, he's going to tell County Commissioners he'll work for free.

"I'll be the first one to go without," says Sinyard.

And deputy Hackett will keep working overtime for free because he's dedicated to keeping the streets safe.

Only 1/3 of the budget comes from county property taxes the rest comes from grants and what they bring in for housing other prisoners.