The attorney general has opined that jailers are not entitled to receive the salary supplement provided for in T.C.A. § 38-8-111(a)-(c) because the primary duty of a full-time jailer is the confinement and control of persons held in lawful custody, not the prevention and detection of crime. Only full-time police officers, as defined in T.C.A. § 38-8-101, whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime, are eligible for the  salary supplement provided for in T.C.A. § 38-8-111. Op. Tenn. Atty. Gen. 85-222 (July 29, 1985). See also Op. Tenn. Atty. Gen. 77-235A (July 22, 1977).

However, pursuant to T.C.A. § 38-8-111(d), the county legislative body may by resolution choose by a two-thirds vote of its entire membership to establish a cash supplement along with an in-service training program for certified correction officers employed by the county.  Each participating county is required to establish criteria and rules and regulations governing its own program.