County says OT solves staffing woes

Logging an extra 1,245 hours, correctional officer Sgt. James Brunson boosted his salary nearly 90 percent last year. Brunson, Baltimore County?s top overtime earner in 2006, averaged 64 hours a week.

But jail officials said long days are indicative of a depleting stock of qualified workers in the region?s public safety sector ? a trend they said is taking a toll on job performance and employees? personal lives.