A new state law now allows people under the age of 21 to work in detention centers and correction facilities, and since that law was enacted in May 2022, the Lexington County Sheriff's Department has hired four people under the age of 21.

According to Jay Koon, the sheriff for the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the ability to have workers starting at 18 allows for a way to help the workforce shortage as it opens up a much larger applicant pool compared to what they had previously.

“It's up to us as leaders to run through our processes and determine, you know, ‘Is this person a fit,’” Koon said. “Just because you are 18 doesn't necessarily paint everybody with the same brush much like male, female, old, young, black white, just like anything, you can just paint somebody in one area because of age.”

“You have to look at them individually and say, ‘Hey, this person is good to go, we can train them to get where they need to be,'” he added.

Shortly after the law was passed, the sheriff’s department welcomed its first 18-year -old detention deputy, Landon Brown, who officially assumed the role in November of last year.

The now 19-year-old Brown told the Chronicle that he had been taking classes during school that revolved around law enforcement, adding that upon becoming a detention deputy he was surprised by the difference between roadside law enforcement and detention, with the classes he took mainly pertaining to roadside actions.

The deputy shared that the experience was sort of nerve wracking, adding that once he got used to his position and his confidence grew, he knew he could fit in with everyone. He claimed that it was harder to gain respect from his colleagues over the inmates, adding that there was a sense of “The rookie is trying to show you up,” though he said they are at a point now where he gets along with everybody.

Sheriff Koon told the Chronicle that when it comes to the inmates, they know when somebody is new, claiming that they will size somebody up and test them, adding that this eventually leads to a mutual respect between detention deputy and inmate.

Koon shared that the biggest challenge is whether the 18 year olds are going to be cut out for this line of work, he added that you have to have a heart of service and want to give back to your community.

Being the first 18-year-old to be hired also puts pressure on Brown’s shoulders.

“I knew I had to set the example and set a good one, any 18-year-old that follows me they're obviously going to look to me for answers and guidance,” the deputy said. “We have two new ones now, they come to me every day and they see me with new questions about how to do this, how to do that and just knowing that I had to be, you know, the one to basically be the portrait guy.”

He added that one of the main challenges that he has faced is being assertive in the role because almost everyone in the detention center is older than him.

The sheriff stated that the younger workforce has the opportunity to shift into a patrol deputy role upon turning 21, which comes with a whole new side of training. According to Koon, the training for working in a detention center takes three weeks, while a patrol deputy takes 12.

He said that patrol deputies who came through the detention center route say the experience paid dividends as it gave them a strong background in verbal skills and how the criminal element operates.

The young deputy shared that he is unsure whether he will want to pursue a patrol deputy role, saying that he still needs to figure his future plans out.