Eric WatsonCLEVELAND, Tenn. — The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office officially welcomed 21 officers to its ranks in an afternoon ceremony on Friday.
“We have a top-grade staff of brand-new officers to fulfill the needs of this county,” Sheriff Eric Watson said at the event. “I’m proud of each one of you.”
Many of the new officers have experience in agencies across the state and will be filling 18 new positions that were created last fall after a major restructuring of administrative and supervisor positions, Watson said.
He said the restructuring reduced those positions by nearly half — from 59 to 34 — and made $893,000 available for additional officers.
The reduction in administrative and supervisory staff was achieved by combining some positions and eliminating vacant positions, said Arnold Botts, director of administration.