CLEVELAND COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) — The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office announced that it will be laying off an unspecified number of employees on Friday due to budget constraints.
According to a post on social media by the CCSO, the layoffs will primarily impact administrative staff, as well as some impact on deputies. The department is also planning to sell surplus assets, review contracts, and utilize county-wide sources like IT and HR.
The layoff announcement comes after Cleveland County Commissioners voted unanimously to bail out the sheriff's office in June, due to $3.2 million in overspending.
The CCSO also asked their employees to fill out a questionnaire or risk being fired following the bailout approval. The questionnaire asked employees if there “are there other positions you feel you would be qualified for” and to “briefly explain your short-term and long-term goals as they relate to CCSO.”
The full announcement can be read below.
Due to budget constraints, we’ve made the difficult decision to implement layoffs, primarily affecting administrative staff, with some impact on deputies. These changes were necessary to prioritize staffing in patrol and detention, ensuring these essential services remain strong.
To reduce costs further, we will be selling surplus assets, reviewing contracts, and utilizing county-wide services like IT and HR. In house operations will also change sightly. Patrol will primarily focus on unincorporated areas, and cross-training will be introduced to improve efficiency.
These decisions were not made lightly, but we remain committed to delivering the best possible law enforcement services. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Cleveland County Sheriff's Office
Later on Friday, the Board of County Commissioners for Cleveland County issued a statement regarding the announced layoffs.
Since Sheriff Chris Amason took office, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office has seen a high turnover rate, estimated at 315 personnel. The Cleveland County Board of County Commissioners is saddened to learn that more valued employees are losing their jobs. These layoffs are the consequence of mismanagement and previous decisions made by Sheriff Amason, which have affected the operations and stability of his department.
The sheriff overspent his 2024 fiscal year budget by $4.5 million, which has led to significant financial strain on the department.
The current 2025 fiscal year started July 1 and the Sheriff’s Office experienced an 8.1% increase in its budget over the previous fiscal year. Sheriff Amason’s 2025 fiscal budget is nearly $20 million. The Cleveland County Budget Board, comprised of all eight elected county officials including Sheriff Amason, is responsible for approving or disapproving the budgets.
As part of the Budget Board, the Board of County Commissioners remains committed to supporting public safety while ensuring responsible and transparent use of taxpayer funds.
Cleveland County Board of County Commissioners
