WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. - Worcester County’s newly adopted budget will raise starting pay for sheriff’s deputies and add five sworn positions as county leaders work to improve recruitment and retention.
Starting pay for a new deputy will increase from about $63,000 to roughly $70,200. Sheriff Matt Crisafulli said the new salary places Worcester County in a stronger position when competing with nearby law enforcement agencies for applicants.
“We knew that there would be some people on the fence,” Crisafulli said. “Putting us right at about $70,200, that puts us in a competitive range with our allied partners regionally.”
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office will receive about $22.2 million in the fiscal year 2027 budget. The total is roughly $2.5 million more than the previous year.
The funding will allow the office to hire four additional road patrol deputies and its first full-time internal affairs investigator.
Crisafulli said internal affairs investigations were previously handled by lieutenants in addition to their regular duties. He said the new position will allow one investigator to focus on complaints, reviews and other internal matters.
The budget also changes how Worcester County pays experienced officers who transfer from other agencies. Lateral hires can now receive more credit for their previous years of service, allowing some to enter at a higher salary and rank.
County Commissioner Eric Fiori said pay has become increasingly important as law enforcement agencies across the region compete for the same applicants.
“We can have the best company culture in the world, but trying to recruit people into that at a lower pay is an uphill battle,” Fiori said.
Crisafulli said experienced hires can often begin handling calls within weeks, while new recruits must complete a police academy and field training before working independently.
The sheriff’s office currently has several vacancies. Crisafulli said he hopes the new pay scale and hiring rules will help fill those openings within six months to a year.
County leaders said they will measure the investment by tracking both new applications and the number of experienced deputies who remain with the agency.
