New sheriff updates commissioners' court

Changes are in the process of happening at the Jack County Sheriff’s Department.

New Sheriff Thomas Spurlock told county commissioners during their regular meeting Monday he is making changes in the department, the most important for deupties being cutting shift lengths from 24 to 12 hours. 

He has a full staff of deputies presently but is short in the dispatch and jail departments. Along with Chief Deputy Mike Hardy, he is working on a policy for reserve deputies. He said four law enforcement officers have contacted him about working in the county. Others are “trying to get their foot in the door” of law enforcement.

“We will require our reserves to work two shifts a month. They just won’t be sitting at home,” Spurlock told the court. “This will help us double our working staff for about half the money.”

Spurlock said he is looking to hire two new deputies, one a former reserve and one a former constable in Palo Pinto County. Even in his short time in office, Spurlock said he’s been told there is a new atmosphere in the office with attitudes and dispositions being better.

“It’s amazing how much morale has picked up in such a short time,” Spurlock said.

To read the complete article, see the Jan. 13 edition of the Jacksboro Herald-Gazette.