The phrase
"several deputies" means multiple people who have been chosen or appointed to assist or represent others in a specific role or responsibility.
Full definition
We have benefitted from the contributions
of several deputy and managing editors, the authors of all the lead articles, and AAAS staff and interns who prepared the bulk of the items published.
Several deputy county attorneys, housing specialists and members of the Office of Management and Budget also retained their positions.
The president has parted ways with his chief strategist, health secretary,
several deputy chiefs of staff and his original private legal team.
Officials at the University of Wyoming College of Law had asked students to be on the lookout for one of its graduates, Matthew Riehl, less than two months before he opened fire
on several deputies in suburban Denver.