A detention deputy gives someone the opportunity to help people turn their lives around; put skills and experience to good use and also work in an environment that is challenging and rewarding and where no two days are ever the same.

The purpose of a detention deputy is to implement established policies and procedures in the county’s detention facilities, perform initial classifications, supervise meals, visitations, recreation and exercise, maintain key and tool controls and much more. Our detention deputies have skills of resilience, communication, teamwork and problem-solving. 

Administrative Sgt. Ormica Thomas, knew her calling was to work in corrections. Her mom, Margie, was a jailer for 12 years.

Thomas started out as a front-line detention deputy for two years and worked her way up to field training officer. She was promoted to master correctional officer in May 2018. She gained her sergeant stripes in July 2021.

“It’s more like a difference maker. You can actually talk to them, speak with them,” Thomas said. “It’s like a counseling thing, more or less.”

While working for the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Thomas said she’s “able to persevere through all types of situations because we’ve been faced with some difficult times.”

Though she has experienced challenging situations, the family environment at the Sheriff’s Department has helped her overcome.

“We stick to what our policy says and make sure our people are taken care of to the best of our ability, whether mentally or physically,” Thomas said. “It’s a family. We encourage people to be promoted, and we actually have them prepared. That’s the way it was for me… It’s a caring thing here.”

She encourages people to apply and said she wants to continue to be a difference maker and offer whatever she has to give back. If you are looking to join a family atmosphere, while also serving your community by giving back, check out our current positions.