The Hinds County Board of Supervisors approved salary increases for detention officers in a meeting Monday, according to Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones.

Jones said the move is a way to help with recruiting and retention of quality employees. Detention Officers were approved by the board to receive a starting salary increase from $31,000 a year to $35,000 a year, Detention Sergeants from $35,300 to $40,000 and Detention Lieutenants from $38.200 to $42.500.

This salary increase and re-alignment was done without affecting the current Sheriff’s Department budget and will go into effect August 1st.

Jones said the raise aligns with department-wide recruitment and retention efforts by his administration and allows them to provide competitive pay. Jones’ administration was also responsible for a recent significant pay raise for operations deputies ($29,500 to $40,000) and just last month dispatchers were given a pay raises from $13/hour to $16/hour starting pay.

“We will continue to address fair and competitive pay for the men and women that serve Hinds County and HCSO,” Jones said. “Some of these efforts are long overdue and it’s fulfilling to have the support needed to grant these requests of those responsible for taxpayers’ monies.”