As budget season approaches for the Christian County Sheriff's Office one item looks to be approved to bring more officers onto the roster. As of now, 17 sworn officers, including Sheriff Kettelkamp, Chief Deputy Baker, a courthouse officer, and two investigators handle the needs of the office for the county. That leaves 12 patrolling officers to ensure the safety of cities and villages like Mt. Auburn, Kincaid, and Tovey, whose towns are without local law enforcement.

Chief Deputy Jim Baker of the Christian County Sheriff's Office says the department has not added to the number of officers in 22 years.

Baker explains that night shifts in some cities are reliant on the Sheriff's Office to patrol and answer emergencies.

Emergencies are not the only call the Sheriff's Office is responsible for. Christian County relies on the Sheriff's Office for service calls, normal complaints, extra patrols, and the daunting task of serving over 150 civil paper services.

Baker says all he can do now is make the proposal and present it to the Christian County Board. He mentions the board has been receptive to the new recruitment of officers, saying the board is open-minded.

Baker notes that the Sheriff's Office has been able to manage the larger workload but with 14 cities in Christian County another hand on deck could make patrolling these cities easier.

Chief Deputy Jim Baker appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.