Roy Exum
It is an embarrassment that Jim Hammond, the Sheriff of Hamilton County, has to ask for a raise. It is equally an embarrassment to the county taxpayers that some on the County Commission do not want to give him one. Oh, the hearty majority of the commissioners will agree he’s “the best we’ve ever had” in the 29 years he has worn the county shield, and it’s a lead-pipe cinch he would be re-elected in 2022 if he had not already announced his plans to retire at the end of his term next year.
But since we the callous have now limited our life’s scope to ‘what have you done for me lately,’ allow this close observer to point out he had little choice but to take over the operation of our corrections center back in January. Mayor Jim Coppinger gave him what was left of the Core Civic contract money and Jim has suddenly gone from 600 prisoners to 1,200. His responsibilities have gone from 250 employees to 550. He has closed the downtown jail, merging it with Silverdale, in a dramatic display of “stewardship,” if you will, and today heads one of the most thriving, well-ordered sheriff’s organizations in the state.
But what have you done for me lately? When the sheriff’s department budget was submitted for FY 2021-22, it did not request as much as a nickel increase. Not as much as a dime.
So now the sheriff comes to the commission. He tells them the Knoxville sheriff, who also manages the county jail, makes $30 grand ($180,197) more than Hammond does, but of course his deal was all in place. Jim has had to do all the heavy lifting in just the last seven months. And there is no denying he’s done it extremely well. Then Hammond adds that Rutherford County (Murfreesboro) is also a Class III city like Knoxville and Chattanooga, and that sheriff makes $160K. Why then does Hamilton County only pay Hammond $149,068? What’s equitable about that?
Knox County is 526 square miles with a population of 478,971, while Rutherford County is 619 square miles with 341,486 people. Hamilton County is 574 square miles with 371,662 people. All three are Class III counties, this according to the state’s measure, yet the state legislature has enacted laws that permit a county sheriff to be paid no more than five percent less than the County Mayor. County Mayor Jim Coppinger is paid $179,460, which qualifies the Commission to pay Sheriff Hammond as much as $170,000.
“I’m not asking for that,” Hammond said, “But I’m a year from my retirement and $13,000-to-$14,000 (increase) would certainly allow me to provide better for my family. I’m not ashamed to ask for that, though I do wish somebody else on our commission might have noticed and realized, ‘Hey, here’s a chance for us to us to recognize what a career law enforcement officer has done for our taxpayers and others who work in the safety of our county every day. I’ve got to ask on behalf of my family. I believe I have earned a raise.”
Unfortunately, a group of so-called ministers – this in direct contrast to elected officials chosen by all the people – has plagued Hammond with questionable calls, at best regarding his ability and the direction of the sheriff’s department, which has been unchallenged by any white, Hispanic, or other races. These racial opportunists demanded that Hammond appear this week at a confrontation surrounding the reinstatement of a detective, Blake Kilpatrick, who has been on paid leave since an incident that occurred in 2018.
The sheriff’s department has waited over two years for an unanswered Justice Department inquiry and Sheriff Hammond, who knows and admires Det. Kilpatrick, believes it is time to put Kilpatrick – “a good man” by all accounts --back into full-time service in the department. “Blake is a fine individual who has a spotless career record with the exception of an arrest of a rap singer named “Interstate Tax” in December of 2018. A video allegedly shows Kilpatrick punch and kick Charles Toney Jr. – the rap singer – during an arrest.
Immediately following the incident, Hammond demanded “an internal investigation” where members of the Sheriff’s Department viewed the video, read arrest accounts, and interviewed every officer or witness that they could find. It was determined that Officer Kilpatrick did exactly – to the letter of the law – what he was taught during his training and in no way jeopardized nor compromised the rights of Mr. Toney. (A jury trial in regard to a $750,000 lawsuit is scheduled to be held in June of 2022.)
When it was learned last week’s confrontation between the sheriff and the black leaders’ group might include racial lightning rod, the 79-year-old Jesse Jackson, the sheriff – on advice of counsel – cancelled the meeting due to a circus atmosphere that was being encouraged by County Commissioner Warren Mackey. The media and the public had been invited and Hammond, albeit wisely, chose not to participate. According to some reports, Jackson will now be paid to make an appearance in Chattanooga during September, where he will lead a vaccination site, speak at a rally, and lead a peaceful parade of a protest. The date has not been disclosed but during the first week of October Jesse will become 80 and a birthday celebration could be included.
Hammond could care less. “Next week I’ll fly to Memphis to meet with some great visionaries who want Hamilton County to join in a ‘Hope To Hire’ program that I feel is very exciting. They have tried-and-true programs that keep inmates from returning to prison. We’ve also hired three new chaplains because our inmate population has some very recognizable emotional needs.
“Mental health? We have over 40 percent of inmates who are administered psychotropic medicines that make a huge difference in their lives. If we can keep many of these on the meds they’ll never return to prison … it is that simple … and we are working hard to make such a simple solution not as complex. Right now, we are not perfect, yet we’ve overcome so many barriers in the last seven months I believe our team can help a lot of people that need it.
“I never thought the department could offer the cleanest budget I’ve ever seen. That because of the different teams that astound me and surprise almost all the time.” But …. whoa! … Jim Hammond hired them all. He coaches, guides, prays, admonishes, corrects, and glories in what he’ll flatly tell you, “is the best department any sheriff has ever had.”
I believe that and I can prove that. This Wednesday when the County Commission meets, I ask that the nine members ask, “What has Jim Hammond done for us lately … and how shall we thank him?”
Commissioners … “Think of any reason you shouldn’t yet believe in the one you should.”
royexum@aol.com