Somerset Co. Sheriff’s Office to Restore 24/7 Patrol Operations

SOMERSET COUNTY, Md. – The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) has announced plans to return to 24 hour, seven-day-a-week patrol coverage, effective Aug. 20.

The announcement comes after the department first modified its schedule at the end of April due to ongoing staffing shortages. In the months since then, SCSO has maintained limited on-call response personnel for critical public safety needs on weekends. But the agency says they are now in a a position to resume continuous patrol operations after collaborating with Somerset County Commissioners.

“Restoring 24-hour patrol coverage is an important milestone for our agency and for the citizens we serve,” said Sheriff Ronald Howard. “I appreciate the cooperation and support of the County Commissioners as we worked together to identify an operational solution that strengthens public safety throughout Somerset County. This plan allows us to better align our personnel with the County’s public safety needs while continuing to fulfill the Sheriff’s Office’s essential responsibilities.”

SCSO says they have undergone several staffing developments that have made the restoration of continuous patrol coverage possible. The salary adjustments approved by the County Commissioners as part of the FY2027 budget have increased interest in employment with the Sheriff’s Office and resulted in a noticeable increase in qualified applicants, resulting in the lateral hiring of one certified deputy, with the potential to hire up to two additional experienced officers in the coming months.

The department has also hired three Deputy Recruits who are currently attending Police Academy and expected to join the force in Apr. 2027.