The Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) says they’re almost fully staffed after facing a shortage of workers over the last few years. Sheriff Chris Nanos said PCSD paid almost $9 million in overtime alone in 2022.
Today at Tucson Baptist Church, a graduation ceremony was held for 44 graduates consisting of 39 new deputies and five officers from other nearby agencies.
Recruiters say Class 24-1 is one of the largest graduating classes from the last few years.
Graduate Tiffany Aquino says she was motivated to join by her interest in crime scene investigations. She adds that this field of work is rewarding and recommends others to join.
“If you like a career where you’re tested, you’re challenged and you like to figure things out, in a split second, absolutely,” Aquino said. “If you like that kind of atmosphere, absolutely.”
Aquino says her biggest challenge during the academy defensive tactic training.
“You’re doing things a certain way your whole life and you have to relearn a way that they want you to,” said Aquino. “It’s just hard to implement that when you—it’s like muscle memory to you already. So, you have to try and do that their way.”