7 new Merced sheriff’s deputies sworn in

The Merced County Sheriff’s Department on Monday swore in seven full-time sheriff’s deputies and a deputy coroner, shrinking the gap in staffing deficits.

Two part-time deputies, a part-time deputy coroner and five trainees also were sworn in. The trainees will attend the Tulare-Kings Counties Basic Peace Officer Academy, sponsored by College of the Sequoias, for six months.

Family and friends packed into the Merced County Courthouse Museum to watch the new hires take their oath of office, and family members took part in a pinning ceremony.

Former Sheriff and Undersheriff Tom Cavallero called the event a historic day in a historic venue.

“It’s entirely fitting that the sheriff is going to administer the oath in this very historic and elegant venue because this oath is historic,” he said. “Deputy sheriffs have been swearing to this oath for 160 years in this county.”

The Sheriff’s Department has long battled understaffing.

Sheriff Vern Warnke said though the new deputies will be a “tremendous help,” the department could hire just as many again and still be understaffed. New hires included, the department is still down 13 positions. “This will help fill the void,” he said.

The new deputies must first undergo four months of a field training program before receiving assignments, said Deputy Dave Alvey.

The new hires had to pass a written exam, physical agility test and stand before an interview panel of law enforcement officials and community members. They were then rated, and their cumulative scores were added up. Those with the highest scores received a conditional job offer and underwent a medical and psychological screening.

Delray Shelton, a sheriff’s sergeant who works with hiring staff, said the process ensures each deputy is hand-picked.

“We work extremely hard to give you the very best,” he said.

This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 2:25 PM with the headline "7 new Merced sheriff’s deputies sworn in."