JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Ten sworn police officers who had been laid off from JSO are being rehired.
The 10 positions have been created by vacancies that occur as a part of normal attrition, such as retirement and resignation.
"I have maintained all along that we would take any opportunity to reach out to those officers and bring them back, if we could do so without impacting our budget, and these vacancies provided just that opportunity," said Sheriff John Rutherford.
JSO is bringing these people back because the cost is minimal to the agency.
They've already received JSO-specific training. Paying for their medical exams is already in the budget. The officers have maintained their certification. They're filling existing vacancies.
The hires do not change the reduced manpower level of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, as defined by budget.
JSO says it anticipates it will reach out to other officers let go in the reduction in force in 2011 to fill future vacancies.
