The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office increased its hiring by more than 50% in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to a March 17 briefing by Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell to the Board of County Commissioners.
This development comes as public safety demands rise across Multnomah County, with law enforcement agencies expanding their initiatives and jail bookings increasing. In February 2026, the sheriff’s office processed 1,721 standard jail bookings, representing a 22% increase from February of the previous year. The Corrections Facilities Division has faced ongoing staffing shortages since 2021, and these increases have placed additional pressure on staff.
Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell credited recent county budget investments and updated hiring practices for the improved staffing numbers. “Our corrections division is central to a well-functioning public safety system,” Morrisey O’Donnell said. “When it is not operating efficiently due to staffing shortages, it places immense strain on our law enforcement partners and impacts overall community safety.”
In 2025, the sheriff’s office hired 114 employees—the first time since 2022 that new hires outpaced separations—resulting in a net gain of 32 staff members. Of those hired, 34 were corrections deputies selected from among 909 applicants. The agency-wide vacancy rate now stands at approximately seven percent, down from nine percent for sworn positions and twelve percent for non-sworn positions in the prior year.
MCSO Deputy Chief of Staff Jenny Carver said, “By breaking down every step of our hiring process and relying on the expertise of our staff, we have been able to focus our efforts on filling all vacancies rather than filling some at the expense of others.” The office has also implemented dashboards to track retirement eligibility and monitor applicant data to inform recruitment strategies.
To further address staffing needs, Multnomah County approved a budget modification for fiscal year 2026 that will stabilize funding for existing positions and expand the Human Resources Unit by adding two background investigators (for a total of ten), one recruiter (total five), and one HR support staff member (total four).
“A multi-year staffing crisis cannot be reversed in a single year,” Morrisey O’Donnell said. “However, the progress we have made highlights the dedication of our HR team and the support of the county. MCSO is committed to continuing this momentum to help ensure a safe and well-functioning public safety system.”