Sheriff Partin Pushes for Higher Deputy Pay, Rejects Revenue-Driven Enforcement

COFFEE COUNTY, Tenn. — As Coffee County leaders continue to debate the fiscal year 2025–2026 budget, Sheriff Chad Partin is voicing strong concerns over deputy pay and the future direction of local law enforcement.

At a recent County Budget and Finance Committee meeting held on June 12, Sheriff Partin urged commissioners to increase wages for Coffee County deputies, emphasizing the ongoing difficulty in retaining qualified personnel. According to Partin, city police departments in Manchester and Tullahoma currently offer significantly higher pay, creating a competitive disadvantage for the Sheriff's Department.

“There is plenty of money in the County’s General Fund Balance to pay our employees what they’re worth,” Sheriff Partin said, pointing to the need for more equitable compensation across departments. He stressed that the county must invest in its workforce rather than risk losing experienced deputies to neighboring jurisdictions offering better pay.

Deputy Anthony Harden also addressed the committee, offering a firsthand account of the financial strain. “I make $19 an hour. I can’t build a future for my family in this community,” Harden said, underscoring the real-world impact of stagnant wages on local law enforcement families.

In a clear stance on the matter, Sheriff Partin added that he does not want his department to rely on speed enforcement and ticketing as a means of generating revenue. “We’re not trying to become a radar department just to make ends meet,” he said. “That’s not the kind of law enforcement our community deserves.”

As of mid-June, the full Coffee County Commission has not yet passed the upcoming fiscal budget, leaving the fate of proposed pay raises and other departmental funding unresolved.