Florida Deputies Asked to Take Unpaid Leave

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. --

Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti is asking his employees to make a sacrifice to help save their colleagues from losing their jobs.

In a dramatic move to try to save money, the sheriff is asking employees to voluntarily take some unpaid leave, Local 10's Julie Summers reported.

Lamberti has been in tense negotiations with the county about next year's budget.

"Last week, we met with all our deputies to look at, is there anything we can do as a stopgap measure, to basically stop the bleeding and postpone layoffs, No. 1, but also keep needed resources, important resources, on the street," Lamberti said. "Our folks realize it's important to keep deputies on the street and it's important to try to keep the stockade open at least through the summer while we're continuing to talk about our budget situation. They realize that this is a family coming together."

"As law enforcement, it’s our brothers and sisters who might lose their jobs," said Deputy Scot Peterson, a 25-year veteran. "It’s just something we need to do. We need to step up to the plate and get the job done for the new folks coming on.”

Peterson said he's giving up one day's pay to help those with less tenure who are in jeopardy of losing their jobs. It's a move that had to be approved by the deputies’ union.

"It's hard. We're giving up pay and that pay goes toward your pension and everything else. So, it's like a domino effect but we feel it’s worth it," said Broward Police Benevolent Association President Pat Hanrahan.

Lamberti is asking employees to donate at least eight hours if possible by Sept. 11. He is requesting that employees respond about how many days they are willing to donate by Thursday at 5 p.m.

The Broward Sheriff's Office is also hoping to receive millions of dollars in stimulus money.

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