Bexar County Commissioners Court on Aug. 1 unanimously approved a $9.6 million pay hike for county sheriff’s deputies.

Prior to the commissioners’ vote, 95% of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Bexar County membership voted in late July to ratify a contract amendment that provides deputies with the salary increase.

According to Bexar County officials, a recent pay analysis of all Bexar County employees relieved a need to raise salaries to improve recruitment and retention among rank-and-file deputies.

Because the deputies are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, they had to formally approve the amendment to their contract, the current version of which runs from Feb. 8, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2025.

County Judge Peter Sakai said the pay raise shows county officials’ appreciation for deputies and all that they do on the job.

Adelina Simpson, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office media services representative, said the newly approved pay raise makes the BCSO more competitive with area law enforcement agencies.

“The deputies put themselves at risk every day and deserve not only this pay hike but also our sincere appreciation for their devoted service,” Sakai said in a statement.

County commissioners also approved a new recruitment program, “Straight to the Streets," which will allow recruits to apply for law enforcement positions without the previous requirement of first serving as a deputy at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center.