Staff Photo by Patrick Smith/Chattanooga Times Free Press
Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond speaks to members of the Times Free Press editorial board on Monday. Sheriff Hammond spoke about several topics, including consolidation, the county jail, and the SRO program.Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond said this morning that there are no plans to immediately fill a jail chief position after Chief Tim Gobble accepted a new job as East Ridge city manager Monday night.
Hammond said it takes two to three months to fill a position after advertising, building a register and conducting interviews.
Gobble's last day will be April 29, Hammond said, and he doesn't anticipate hiring a new jail chief before July.
In the meantime, he said, "The team's going to have to pull together."
Chief Deputy Allen Branum most likely will oversee the jail until a replacement is found, Hammond said.
Hammond said the salary for the position runs in the high 60's with fringe benefits including insurance, uniforms, in-service training and a take-home car.
For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.