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36 Pinellas Deputies Get Hillsborough Jobs After Layoffs

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 29, 2008

TAMPA - Thirty-six detention deputies from Pinellas County laid off because of budget cuts are continuing their careers on the other side of Tampa Bay.

The deputies, who were "fresh out of the academy" and had just finished their initial field training when their positions were cut, are receiving additional training in Hillsborough, said Maj. Jim Previtera, the commander of training for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

"Their attitude has been tremendous," Previtera said.

An additional 25 deputies who patrolled neighborhoods or maintained security at courthouses in Pinellas were also affected by the budget cuts. Three have since decided to retire and two have changed careers, Previtera said. The remaining 20 are being considered for employment in Hillsborough, Previtera said.

Those 20 deputies had been with the Pinellas sheriff's office for about a year, he said. The deputies' files are being reviewed and interviews begin Wednesday.

Pinellas Sheriff Jim Coats, at the request of the Pinellas County Commission, had to slash his budget by $25.7 million. Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee had to cut his budget, too, but by only $4 million.

Coats announced the layoffs July 10 and asked the Hillsborough sheriff's office whether the agency could take the deputies, Previtera said.

"Major Previtera and his staff were tremendously helpful to us," said Pinellas sheriff's spokeswoman Marianne Pasha. "They helped our staff have continuity in their careers."

While Coats slashed his budget, eliminated more than 250 positions and did away with community outreach programs, the Hillsborough sheriff's office has struggled to fill positions.

"One of our biggest challenges has been recruiting," Previtera said. "There's 140 positions we've been unable to fill."

The influx of the former Pinellas deputies will help, especially in Hillsborough's jail system, where there are 90 vacancies, Previtera said.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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