Union: Exodus of Wash. Deputies Will Continue Unless Pay Improved

Pierce County Sheriff’s Office deputies are leaving for agencies that pay better, according to a union leader who warned of more departures if the county doesn’t improve compensation in a new labor deal.

Shaun Darby, president of the Pierce County Deputy Sheriffs’ Independent Guild, told The News Tribune on Friday that 11 deputies recently made lateral moves to the Tacoma Police Department, which last month began offering signing bonuses to experienced new hires, and that he knew of four more leaving for other law enforcement agencies.

“They’re just not paying the membership what they’re worth,” Darby said of the county.

Despite more than a year of negotiations, the union, which represents the Sheriff’s Office’s rank-and-file, and the county have failed to align on proposed pay increases and strike a deal on a new bargaining agreement. Deputies have been working without a contract since January, Darby confirmed.

In a statement Friday, Pierce County spokesperson Libby Catalinich said the county has bargained in good faith and presented multiple strong proposals, including its most recent offer that places deputies near the top of the market among comparable agencies.

Catalinich said that market comparisons between the county and cities, particularly smaller cities, are inaccurate due to differences in operations, staffing demands and finances.

“Pierce County greatly values the service, professionalism, and dedication of our Sheriff’s Office employees and remains committed to ensuring they are compensated competitively and treated with the respect their service warrants,” she said.

Last month, the Tacoma City Council approved a plan to pay $50,000 signing bonuses to experienced, Washington-based officers who join the city’s police department. The program is intended to shore up roughly 30 vacancies within TPD.

In a Sept. 30 post on Facebook, the department announced 14 new hires. Nine of the 10 lateral hires came from the Sheriff’s Office, TPD spokesperson Shelbie Boyd later confirmed to The News Tribune.

Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Carly Cappetto also confirmed in an email that nine former employees had departed for TPD, but she said there were no official records suggesting others had left.

“At this time, we are not making statements,” Cappetto said in response to questions about labor-agreement talks and employee departures.

Darby, who said TPD officers make 30% more in base wages, previously told The News Tribune the distinction between net hourly pay for entry-level candidates was $69.80 in Tacoma and $59.45 in the Sheriff’s Office.

Those who left for TPD include two sergeants and SWAT team officers, Darby said Friday.

“When you have a 31-year tenured deputy sheriff pack up and leave for a neighboring agency, that speaks volumes,” he said.

The most recent county budget funded 229 deputies, The News Tribune reported in May, noting that Sheriff’s Office staffing levels have not significantly increased in more than two decades as the county’s population has grown.

The timeline for arbitration further risks turnover in the Sheriff’s Office, according to Darby. He said the union expected an arbitrator’s review to occur sooner than March. Now, due to how long it takes for an arbitration decision, deputies won’t learn what their new pay will look like until August, he said.

“We’re going to lose a lot more people,” he said. “My membership is completely up in arms.”

Catalinich said the timeline was established by the availability of a mutually agreed upon arbitrator.

“Our goal remains clear: to reach a contract that supports our law enforcement workforce, reflects our shared values, and strengthens public safety for all Pierce County residents,” she said. “We remain open to continued discussions and are hopeful for a resolution.”

Staff writer Peter Talbot contributed to this report.

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