Special Deputies

Special Deputies - Appointment Under T.C.A. § 8-8-212

On urgent occasions, or when required for particular purposes, the sheriff may appoint as many special deputies as the sheriff deems proper.  T.C.A. § 8-8-212(a).  No person may serve as a special deputy under this statute unless that person proves to the appointing sheriff financial responsibility as evidenced by a corporate surety bond in no less amount than $50,000 or by a liability insurance policy of the employer in no less amount than $50,000. T.C.A. § 8-8-303(c).

Special Deputies - Emergency Appointment Under T.C.A. § 8-22-110

In case of great emergencies, such as in the case of a strike, riot, putting down a mob, or other like emergencies, when there is an immediate need for the sheriff to appoint an additional number of deputies to deal efficiently with the situation and to preserve order, the sheriff is authorized to make emergency appointments of special deputies without making application to the court. These special deputies may serve during the term of the emergency only. Once the emergency is over, the sheriff is required to make an itemized statement showing the services of the deputies and the time during which the special deputies served. The itemized statement must be presented to the county mayor for auditing and allowance. The mayor is required to authorize payment of the claims once the mayor is satisfied with the justness of the claims provided that no special deputy appointed by the sheriff may receive more than $4 per day for services actually performed. T.C.A. § 8-22-110(b).