ODESSA, Texas — The Ector County Sheriffs office is having a hard time hiring enough employees to fill positions in patrol, the jail and dispatch.

But, it's not an issue unique to Ector County, or even the state of Texas.

"It is a pretty common problem in law enforcement agencies," said Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis.

The lack of staff is also happening in Midland County.

"The problem is that, I don't know of a single law enforcement entity in Midland County that isn't short staffed," said Midland County District Attorney Laura Nodolf. "So when you have persons, detectives, the police department, when you have criminal investigators at the sheriff's department, including the Texas Rangers, and then prosecutors in my office, we're all carrying more very serious life-altering offenses than I've ever seen in my entire time that I've been with Midland County."

Nodolf has seen an increase in felony crimes like homicides in recent years.

Agencies are doing what they can, but with the pandemic and a stigma behind police and law enforcement in recent years it isn't easy.

"We're contacting the high schools and trying to get some young people in here that want to work," said Griffis. "With that said, there's still a lot of people staying home and getting unemployment."

The shortage of law enforcement makes it harder on officers, and they have to choose what they respond to first.

"We have to prioritize our calls, whereas a loud music call is not going to get priority over a...

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