9 Investigates: Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy shortage

9 Investigates found out the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is short dozens of deputies.

Some deputies told Channel 9 the Sheriff’s Office is down more than 200 deputies, but a spokesperson said the office is only 50 deputies short.

Several incidents with responses, or lack thereof, have come into question in the last year, including a call where a homeowner said deputies didn’t show up after a man broke into their home.

Last month, a Lake Nona family said deputies took 40 minutes to respond after their home was shot at.

Deputies said in that case, it was believed that one of their own was under fire and most of their manpower was sent to that scene.

Deputies said part of the problem is that they are shorthanded on the streets.

There are about 100 openings at the Sheriff’s Office, but half of those are sworn deputy positions.

This year, 26 deputies have left the Sheriff’s Office, 14 retired and 12 resigned.

The Sheriff’s Office said it’s not unusual to have some openings on patrol.

Some deputies said they feel stretched thin and worry things will get worse before they get better.

Cox Media Group