AUBURN – The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department presented the County Commission with a cost breakdown for training new employees.

Chief Deputy Guy Desjardins prepared the detailed analysis after the commissioners requested it at their June 4 meeting. It is for both law enforcement officers, which includes Maine Criminal Justice Academy training, and preparation for new corrections officers. The costs of achieving all state-mandated certifications and the county’s training standards are included.

Desjardins said the costs include starting wages as specified in the collective bargaining agreement. For a patrol deputy the training wage is $11.03 per hour. Most corrections officers start as reserve corrections officers at $10 hourly.

In addition to wages, the cost breakdown for patrol deputies is: $1,500, uniforms; $4,412, 400 hours of on-the-job training; $1,000, Maine Criminal Justice Academy tuition; $8,338, 18 weeks of instruction at the MCJA; $648, 18 weeks of mileage reimbursement. The total including wages is $15,898.

For corrections officers the total is $3,360. The breakdown in addition to wages is: $200, uniforms; $860, 86 hours of level A and B training; $1,080, 108 hours of on the job training; $882, 80 hours of Level C training; $80, tuition for Level C; $72, travel for Level C; $130, meals for Level C; $56, lodging.

Desjardins said the cost for a patrol deputy could be higher if the individual is hired for a position that is currently open. In that case the department might have to pay overtime to other deputies while the newly hired person is at the MCJA for 18 weeks.

That could increase the training cost by an additional $10,000 to $12,000.

The sheriff’s department has $5,800 budgeted for advertising positions this year.