Dallas County Deputies Sue County, Allege Years of Unpaid Wages

A group of over a dozen deputies and detectives from the Dallas County Sheriff's Office has filed a lawsuit against the county, claiming they were unlawfully denied compensation for hours worked over multiple years, in breach of federal labor regulations.

A federal lawsuit, initiated on October 3, alleges that the county neglected to compensate employees for their labor and failed to offer compensatory time off as an alternative solution. The lawsuit further claims that the county rejected vacation requests submitted by the impacted employees.

Officials from the county, such as County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins and District Attorney John Creuzot, chose not to provide comments, referencing the ongoing litigation as the reason for their silence.

A lawsuit has been filed that identifies multiple employees, among them Tina Allman, who is reportedly responsible for $20,000 in unpaid wages. In a tragic turn of events, her husband, James, lost his life in a car crash while serving as a deputy in 1995.

Senior Sgt. Christopher Dyer, the president of the Sheriff's Association of Dallas County, has highlighted the role of county commissioners in managing the budget.

“They wield significant influence over county government, making them the primary party accountable in this situation, as they are the ones who manage the finances,” Dyer stated. “They bear the responsibility.”

George Hyde, representing the plaintiffs and drawing from his experience as a retired police officer, emphasized that law enforcement officers are entitled to the compensation they have rightfully earned.

"It’s disheartening to see those who don the badge and dedicate themselves to their duties being told by their employer that they cannot receive the compensation they rightfully deserve after all their hard work. "It's truly a somber moment," Hyde expressed. He remarked on the irony of the situation, noting that the county is the one significantly and persistently violating federal law.

Dyer emphasized that Sheriff Marian Brown should not be held responsible for the payroll issues, clarifying that the root of the problem stems from the county-wide payroll system and the treasurer’s office. He pointed out that these compensation issues pose challenges for the sheriff in maintaining staff retention.

Dyer expressed, “This situation discourages individuals from seeking employment at the sheriff’s department, complicating her efforts significantly.”

Since the implementation of new software in 2023, there have been ongoing reports of payroll issues within the county. In a significant move earlier this year, commissioners took action by approving the hiring of Dana Foster-Allen as the chief financial officer, a decision aimed at addressing persistent compensation issues.