For the first time in its history, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office is welcoming a detention deputy under the age of 21.

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Last summer state lawmakers passed a bill that was signed into law to lower the minimum age for detention deputies from 21 to 18. Spartanburg County said they’re taking advantage of the new law and believe it’s a great change.

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 “Dylan Patterson, for example, who just started with us, who is pioneering the program for us, he said within 3 to 5 years he would like to be a patrol deputy. This is going to give him a good feel to some people we encounter, how we work, how to wear the uniform, how to carry himself, and how to deal with people on a day-to-day basis.”

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Sgt. Tony Soddu said starting earlier means being able to mold young men and women at an impressionable age. 

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