Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Jobs
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is the largest in the world. Sheriff’s Deputy jobs involve providing service to the unincorporated areas of the county, which includes several dozen cities.
Here you’ll find information on how to become a Los Angeles Country Sheriff’s Deputy in just seven steps:
- Meet the Basic Qualifications
- Submit Your Application
- Written Examinations and Interview
- Background Check
- Physical Fitness Test Plus Medical and Psychological Examination
- Addition to the Eligibility Roster
- Attend Sheriff’s Academy for Training
Step 1. Meet the Basic Qualifications for Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputy Candidacy
To be considered for jobs as a Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputy, you must meet certain requirements:
- You must be either:
- A U.S. citizen when you submit your application
- A permanent resident alien waiting on a citizenship application
- You must have one of the following education requirements:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Pass the California High School Proficiency Examination
- Have a 2 year, 4 year, or higher degree from an accredited institution
- You must be in good physical condition.
- Your vision must be excellent (20/70 minimum in each eye, correctable to 20/30)
- If you wear contact lens, you do not have to meet the minimum requirement.
- You cannot be colorblind.
- You must have good hearing.
- You must have a valid Class “C” driver’s license from California by the time you are hired.
- You must be willing to work at any hour (nights, weekends, and holidays).
- You must not have been convicted of worker’s compensation fraud.
Step 2. Submit Your Application
To apply to be a Sheriff Deputy in Los Angeles County, you should apply online.
Step 3. Written Examinations and Interview
There are three parts to the examination that you have to pass with a score of at least 70% to continue your selection to be a Sheriff Deputy in Los Angeles County.
- Written Examination Part 1
- You will be pre-screened with a Job Specific Questionnaire (JSQ)
- If you do not pass this exam, you will be disqualified from continuing
- Written Examination Part 2
- You will then take a written test that covers a variety of areas:
- Data interpretation
- Grammar
- Reasoning: both deductive and inductive
- Spelling
- Vocabulary
- Writing clarity
- You will then take a written test that covers a variety of areas:
There are various study guides with examples or practice tests. You can go to one of these to prepare for this examination:
- The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
- The Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources
- The P.O.S.T. Commission
You will then be interviewed about a range of topics:
- Ability to solve problems
- Acceptance of working conditions
- Communication skills
- Community involvement and awareness
- Experience
- Interest and motivation
- Interpersonal skills
The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department has prepared a guide to give you an idea of what to expect during your interview. It is important to be well groomed and wear proper business clothing for the interview.
You will be given two chances to pass the interview. If you do not pass, you will have to wait three months to reapply for this examination.
If you are actively serving in the military and will not be discharged within 12 months after having taken the test, your scores will be held for 48 months after the date of your examination. If you are honorably discharged during this time, you can continue with the application process.
Step 4. Background Check
After you have passed your written exams and interview, the Sheriff’s Department will conduct a thorough investigation of your background to see if you are suitable to become a Sheriff Deputy in Los Angeles County. Things that would disqualify you include:
- Being on probation
- Credit history that is poor
- Employment history that is poor
- Felony Convictions
- Misdemeanor Convictions related to your job
- Substance abuse
- Traffic violations that are
- Accidents for which you are at fault
- DUI
- Moving violations (4 or more over the last 2 years)
- Serious convictions
- Suspended driver’s license
Step 5. Physical Fitness Test plus Medical and Psychological Examination
Once you have passed your background check, you will be given an offer of employment that depends on your passing the physical fitness test and medical examination. You can view the preparation guide for the fitness test. The physical fitness test consists of:
- Arm endurance
- Running
- 75 yards
- 1.5 miles
- Sit-ups
You will also have a Candidate Feedback Assessment that is not scored. The purpose of this is to gauge how well you would perform in the field. This includes:
- Trigger pull on a handgun
- Holding a shotgun
You will get four chances to pass the physical test.
To continue with your appointment as a Deputy Sheriff in Los Angeles County, you will have to pass a medical examination that includes a psychological evaluation.
Step 6. Addition to the Eligibility Roster
Once you have passed the medical and psychological evaluations, you will be added to the Eligible Register. You will remain listed as eligible for 12 months after the date you were added.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department offers training classes to take before the academy to improve your academic skills and physical training and increase your chances of success.
Step 7. Attend Sheriffs Academy for Training
The final step in become a Sheriff Deputy in Los Angeles County is to undergo the 19 week training program at the Sheriff’s Training Academy. You will attend for 8.5 hours every weekday, along with some holidays and weekends.. You will also have to spend time outside of the academy preparing for classes and studying for exams.
You will be trained in the following topics:
- CPR and First Aid
- Law Interpretation and Application
- Operating
- Emergency Vehicles
- Radios
- Physical Training
- Techniques of Searching and Handcuffing
- Weapons Usage:
- Baton
- Firearms
- Writing Reports
You can expect a range of salaries as a Sheriff Deputy in Los Angeles County depending on your level of education.
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Jobs
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is the second largest in California and the fourth largest in the U.S, serving a population of over two million people. Over 1800 Deputy Sheriff jobs in Orange County are involved in providing law enforcement services to unincorporated areas. A full one third of the cities in the area contract law enforcement services through the Orange Country Sheriff’s Department.
If you’re interested in learning how to become a Sheriff’s Deputy in Orange County, follow these steps:
- Verify you Meet the Basic Qualifications and Submit Your Application
- Take the Pre-Employment Preparation (PEP) for Law Enforcement Class
- Consider Taking the Physical Fitness for Law Enforcement Applicants Class
- Written Examination and Physical Agility Test
- Interview and Background Check
- Polygraph Examination, Psychological Evaluation and Medical Examination
- Take the Training Academy Preparation Class
- Attend Sheriff’s Academy for Training
Step 1. Meet the Basic Qualifications for Submit Your Application for Orange County Sheriff Deputy Candidacy
To be considered for jobs as an Orange County Sheriff Deputy for patrol, you must meet certain requirements:
- You must either:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Have filed for citizenship as a permanent resident alien before you applied
- You must have reached 20 years of age when you submit your application.
- You must have a high school diploma or have scored satisfactorily on the
- California High School Proficiency Test
- GED
- You must not have any of the following
- Domestic violence convictions
- Restraining order for domestic violence
- Felony convictions as an adult or juvenile
- You cannot be on probation of any type.
- You must have a Class C driver’s license valid in California by the time of your appointment.
You must apply online to become a Sheriff Deputy in Orange County. You can find the proper application under County Employment at the Popular Links bar.
Step 2. Take the Pre-Employment Preparation (PEP) for Law Enforcement Class
If you are a non-sponsored recruit and intend to be trained in the Academy, you must take this class to learn how to pass the various tests you have to go through, along with how to prepare for your interview and background check to become a Sheriff Deputy in Orange County.
The training will be conducted by law enforcement individuals who are on duty and will take place at the Orange County Sheriff’s Training Facility in Orange. The instructors will also explain the ins and outs of working for different law enforcement agencies.
Step 3. Consider Taking the Physical Fitness for Law Enforcement Applicants Class
If you want to become a Sheriff Deputy in Orange County, it is strongly recommended that you take this four-week class. To do so, you must have completed the PEP class.
You will trained in:
- Academy obstacle course preparation
- Cardiovascular
- Nutrition and weight control
- Weight room conditioning
- Physical conditioning calisthenics
Once you have completed this course and start your own workout regimen, you will be prepared for the physical demands of a law enforcement career.
Step 4. Written Examination and Physical Agility Test
Your next step in becoming a Sheriff Deputy in Orange County is to take the100 question written examination. You can obtain two different study guides to prepare for taking this exam. There are California editions for both of these types of exams:
- Norman Hall’s Police Exam
- Learning Express Police Officer Exam
Aside from examining your ability to spell and perform arithmetic, this test will also examine such things as your:
- Ability to make analogies
- Ability to make comparisons
- Ability to match codes
- Ability to read maps
- Ability to write reports
- Interpersonal skills
- Judgment
- Vocabulary
Once you have passed the written examination, you will be given a physical agility test to ensure that you are fit to become a Sheriff Deputy in Orange County. You should be prepared to:
- Pass through an obstacle course
- Drag a body 45 feet (165 pound dummy)
- Run 440 yards
- Pull a revolver trigger (6 times using each hand)
Step 5. Interview and Background Check
Following the successful completion of your physical agility test, you will be interviewed during the following week by a panel of two sworn offices and a civilian. You should have a professional appearance for this interview. Your will be evaluated on your:
- Appearance
- Common sense/problem solving skills
- Communication skills
- Confidence
- Interest
- Performance under stress
- Personal qualities
- Professionalism
You can find tips on preparing for your interview, so that you are likely to succeed.
After passing your interview, you undergo a thorough background check that will determine whether or not you are suitable to become a Deputy Sheriff in Orange County.
You must bring the background packet that you got at the time of the written examination and have it completed. Your fingerprints will be taken at this time.
The process will involve checking if you have a criminal history and examining your:
- Credit history
- Driving records
- Previous employment
- References
Step 6. Polygraph, Psychological Evaluation and Medical Examination
Once your background check has been completed, you will be hooked up to a lie detector and questioned about things in your background.
After you have passed the polygraph examination, you will meet with a psychologist who will evaluate how fit you are to be a Sheriff Deputy in Orange County.
Once you have passed the psychological evaluation, a physician will examine you to determine whether or not you will become a Sheriff Deputy in Orange County.
Step 7. Take the Training Academy Preparation Class
After you have passed your medical examination, your next step should be to take the training class to prepare you for the academy.
If you are a non-sponsored recruit, you must take this 16 hour course to assist you in entering the academy. If you are a sponsored recruit, it is still highly recommended that you take it. You will be trained in:
- Diet and Nutrition
- Drill
- Flag ceremony
- Marching
- Basic movements
- Honor Code
- Physical Training Overview
- Reporting and Speeches
Step 8. Attend Sheriff’s Academy for Training
Now you should be ready to attend the 28 week course at the Orange County Sheriff Academy. This academy is part of the Criminal Justice Academies system at Santa Ana College, an institution with a national reputation for excellence.
Your training to become a Sheriff Deputy in Orange County will include a rigorous emphasis on physical training and making decisions in stressful situations.
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Jobs
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is the second largest sheriff’s department in California. 2,300 sworn officers serve the unincorporated areas of Riverside County, including more than half of the cities in the county.
This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to become a Sheriff Deputy in Riverside County through eight easy steps:
- Meet the Basic Qualifications
- Submit Your Application and Pre-Screen Questionnaire
- Written Examination
- Physical Agility Test
- Complete a Background Packet
- Background Check and Interview
- Polygraph, Psychological, and Medical Examinations
- Attend Sheriff’s Academy for Training
Step 1. Meet the Basic Qualifications for Riverside County Sheriff Deputy Candidacy
To be considered for Riverside County Sheriff Deputy jobs, you must meet certain requirements:
- You must be a U.S. citizen by the time you are appointed.
- You must be 20 years and nine months old when you start at the Academy.
- You must have either
- Graduated from high school
- Have a GED
- Possess a Certificate of Proficiency from California
- Your vision must either be
- 20/20 if you have worn soft contact lenses for up to a year
- At least 20/40 (correctable to 20/20) if you were glasses or hard contact lenses
- You cannot be colorblind.
- You must have good hearing.
- You must have a driver’s license from California.
- You must have good knowledge of the English language.
Step 2. Submit Your Application and On-line Pre-Screen Questionnaire
You must apply to be a Sheriff Deputy in Riverside County online. You will also have to complete the pre-screen questionnaire that is found on-line. Your application will not be considered without this.
Step 3. Written Examination
After you have completed your questionnaire, you will schedule a time to take the approximately two hour written examination. You will have to schedule this on-line from a series of available dates.
When you go to take this test, you must have valid photographic identification issued by the government and be dressed professionally. There are no study guides available for this examination. Veterans should bring their DD-214 form to be eligible to get points for Veteran’s Preference.
There are two parts to the written examination:
- Vocabulary test (10 minute timed)
- 225 questions (untimed, assessing your personality, experiences, and background)
Your test results will be valid for a year after the date on which you took the exam. If you do not pass this test, you can reapply in six months.
Step 4. Physical Agility Test
Once you have passed the written examination, you will receive notification of the date on which your physical agility test is scheduled. Lateral and pre-service candidates do not need to take this exam.
You should wear clothes appropriate for physical exercise. You also need to bring your photographic identification.
The Physical Agility test consists of:
- Push-ups (at least 22 within 1 minute)
- Sit-ups (at least 27 within 1 minute)
- 1.5 mile run (complete without stopping or walking in 14 minutes)
You should check you score card after every event to ensure that you were given your correct score. You will be given two chances to pass the physical agility test. If you do not pass the first time, you can schedule a second attempt with a recruiter. If you fail both attempts, you can reapply in one year.
Step 5. Complete a Background Packet
After passing the agility test, Human Resources will let you know by e-mail when you should obtain the background packet to fill out for your background check. You will then have 12 business days to return it to Sheriff’s Personnel.
Step 6. Background Check and Interview
Once Human Resources has received your completed background packet, you will have a background investigator assigned to you. This investigator will either call you or send you a letter informing you that you have been chosen to undergo a background check. This assessment will involve both a check of all of your records and an interview.
The types of things that would eliminate you from selection include:
- DUIs within the past 3 years
- Being on probation
- Felony convictions as an adult
- Domestic violence misdemeanor convictions
You should prepare ahead of time to have the following documents ready:
- Bankruptcy filings (from the last 5 years)
- Birth certificate
- Certified copy of marital status
- Marriage (recorded copy from the county)
- Divorce decree (certified final court decree)
- Child support decree (certified court decree)
- DD-214 or Selective Service Registration (certified)
- Driver’s license (California only)
- Law enforcement training certificates such as P.O.S.T.
- Proof of a high school education:
- Diploma
- Certificate of GED
- Certificate of Proficiency Examination
- Resume
- Social Security Card
- Transcripts:
- High School
- College (if applicable)
- Law enforcement academy (if applicable)
- Vehicle insurance (must be current)
If you are not selected at this point, you must wait at least a year to reapply.
Step 7. Polygraph, Psychological, and Medical Examinations
Once you have passed the background check, you will undergo a lie detector test.
After you have passed the polygraph examination, you will undergo a psychological assessment to determine whether or not you are suitable to become a Sheriff Deputy in Riverside County.
Once you have passed the psychological assessment, you will undergo a medical evaluation by a physician. Part of this process includes screening you for drugs or alcohol in your system.
Step 8. Attend Sheriff’s Academy for Training
Having your passed your finals set of evaluations, you will be trained for 24 weeks at the Basic Academy at the Clark Training Center in Riverside. You will receive P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards Training) to meet the standards of California. There are guidelines to prepare you for entering the academy. Your training will include:
- Civil disobedience
- CPR and first aid
- Disaster response
- Diversity training
- Driving: high speed pursuits
- Hate crimes
- Hearsay testimony
- Identifying abuse
- Child abuse or neglect
- Elder and dependent abuse
- Shaking
- Investigating
- Sexual assaults
- Traffic accidents
- Law enforcement: gang and drug
- Missing persons
- Safety training:
- Blood borne pathogens
- Carcinogenic materials
- Sudden infant death syndrome
- Stalking
- Terrorism response and awareness
- Weapons training
- Arrest and firearms
- Batons/wooden clubs
- Shotguns or rifles (short-barreled)
- Tear gas
- Workplace sexual harassment
Sheriff Deputies who will be arresting criminal suspects must also undergo Perishable Skills training on a regular basis (at least 12 hours in each 2 year period.) This includes:
- Making arrests
- Driver training: awareness or a simulator
- Tactical firearms or a simulator of force options
When you have completed your P.O.S.T. training, you will be eligible to be promoted from a Deputy Sheriff Trainee to a Deputy Sheriff.
San Bernadino County Sheriff’s Department Jobs
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is the second largest sheriff’s department in California. 2,300 sworn officers serve the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County, along with over half of the cities in the county. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to become a Sheriff Deputy in San Bernardino County.
8 Steps to Become a Sheriff Deputy in San Bernardino County:
- Meet the Basic Qualifications
- Submit Your Application and Take Written Examination
- Physical Agility Test
- Preliminary Interview
- Background Check and Interview
- Polygraph Examination
- Departmental Interview
- Medical and Psychological Examinations
- Attend Sheriff’s Academy for Training
Step 1. Meet the Basic Qualifications for San Bernardino County Sheriff Deputy Candidacy
To be considered for San Bernardino County Sheriff Deputy jobs, you must meet certain requirements:
- You must be at least 21 years old.
- You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
- You must have a driver’s license that is valid in California
Step 2. Submit Your Application and Take Written Examination
To apply for a job as a Sheriff Deputy in San Bernardino County, you must apply online when positions are available. Once you done that, you will be e-mailed a test date by Human Resources. You are strongly recommended to study ahead of time for this examination. The Department has tips on taking the written exam, along with practice tests.
Step 3. Physical Agility Test
Once you have passed the written examination, you will take a test of you physical abilities to ensure that you have the required strength, endurance, and agility to perform tasks that could be required as a Sheriff Deputy in San Bernardino County. This will include:
- Passing through an obstacle course
- Dragging a body
- Climbing fences:
- Chain-link
- Solid
- Running 500 yards
Step 4. Preliminary Interview
After you have passed the physical agility test, you will be interviewed about your qualifications. When you have passed this, you will be given a Personal History Form to fill out.
Step 5. Background Check and Interview
The next step in becoming a Sheriff Deputy in San Bernardino County is to undergo a background check. You will receive a phone call notifying you of who will be doing this investigation. The investigator will interview you about your background. You will also have to write an autobiography and be fingerprinted.
The background investigator will interview the people who know you including:
- Co-workers
- Family members
- Friends
- Neighbors
- Supervisors
The person will also check your
- Employers—current and former
- Records:
- Criminal
- Financial
- Military
- Education
Step 6. Polygraph Examination
You will then be given a lie detector test to verify that the information provided for your background interview is correct. Once you pass this polygraph examination, the investigator will start you background check.
Step 7. Departmental Interview
Once you have passed your background check, you will be interviewed to see if you have the interpersonal and communication skills, along with the qualifications to be a Deputy Sheriff in San Bernardino County. You will be interviewed by the Commander or Lieutenant of the Employee Resources Division, along an executive staff member of the Sheriff.
Step 8. Medical and Psychological Examinations
Passing the interview is the final step in getting a conditional job offer. Once you have that, a physician will examine you to determine that you are in excellent health and do not have medical conditions that would prevent you from doing the work of a Deputy Sheriff in San Bernardino County.
You will also be interviewed by a psychologist and answer a written questionnaire to assess whether you will be able to carry out the functions of being a Deputy Sheriff.
Step 9. Attend Sheriff’s Academy for Training
Once you have passed your medical and psychological evaluations, you will be scheduled to attend the next possible Sheriff’s Academy for intensive academic and physical training in how to become a Sheriff’s Deputy in San Bernardino County.
The training program has accreditation by San Bernardino Valley College and exceeds the standards that the state of California requires for Police Officer training including:
- Defensive tactics
- Firearms training
- Investigating crime scenes
- Tactical communication
Your physical training will include
- Strength training
- Mat and stretching exercises
- Aerobic and formation runs on both paved surfaces and dirt
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Jobs
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is unusual in that it serves a 4,200 square mile area containing 2.5 million people from different cultural backgrounds. San Diego County Deputy Sheriff jobs can be found in a variety of places. The department has seven stations, along with seven substations. There are also four rural resident offices.
Here you’ll find the steps you’ll need to take as you work to become a Sheriff’s Deputy in San Diego County:
- Meet the Basic Qualifications
- Submit Your Application and Complete Your Questionnaire
- Written Examination
- Prescreen Questionnaire and Personal History Statement
- Background Check
- Polygraph, Physical Test, Psychological Evaluation and Medical Exam
- Attend Sheriff’s Academy for Training
Step 1. Meet the Basic Qualifications for San Diego County Sheriff Deputy Candidacy
To be considered for jobs as a San Diego County Sheriff Deputy for patrol, you must meet certain requirements:
- You must be either:
- A U.S. citizen
- A Resident Alien in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen
- You must be 20.5 years old when you apply and 21 years old when you are appointed.
- You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
- You must have excellent vision (20/100 before correction, correctable to 20/30.)
- You must have a valid photographic ID to take the written examination.
- You must have a valid California driver’s license before you are appointed.
- You must be able to effectively communicate in English.
- You must not have any felony convictions.
- You must not be on probation.
Step 2. Submit Your Application and Complete Your Questionnaire
There are two types of positions available: one to be a Deputy Sheriff’s Cadet and one for Cadet Detentions/Court Services. You apply for both positions on-line. You will then receive an e-mail with an invitation to fill out a supplemental questionnaire with nine additional questions. You then have to watch a video from the Sheriff. You will receive instructions on how to watch this.
Step 3. Written Examination
After your application has been approved, you will receive an e-mail several weeks later telling you how to register for the written examination. This could take six weeks.
You must pass this California P.O.S.T. exam to proceed with your application. Be sure that you register for one exam only. This test examines your reading comprehension, skills with grammar, and your sentence structure. You will not be tested on your mathematical skills or required to write an essay.
You can get directions to the exam. If you need to change the date or to cancel it, you should call the Department of Human Resources: 619-236-2191.
Step 4. Prescreen Questionnaire and Personal History Statement
One you have passed the written examination and been selected as a candidate to be a Deputy Sheriff in San Diego County, you will be sent an e-mail about your prescreen questionnaire. You will have to fill this out and watch another video with additional commentary from the Sheriff.
You will also be placed on the eligibility list for a year. Your score will affect this, as you will be placed higher on the list if you get a better score.
Step 5. Background Check
After you have submitted your questionnaire and watched the video, a background investigator will be assigned to you. This person will perform a thorough check on your background to ensure that you are suitable to become a Sheriff Deputy in San Diego County.
You should prepare ahead of time for your background check, because it can take some time to assemble the following documents that you will need:
- Birth certificate
- College diploma (if applicable)
- DD-214 or Selective Service registration
- Driver’s license
- High school diploma—one of the following:
- US diploma
- GED certificate that shows your test score
- High school proficiency certificate
- High school transcripts
- Legal documents (if you have any bankruptcy, civil, or criminal proceedings)
- Marital state documentation: paperwork for marriage or divorce (if applicable)
- Name change documentation (if applicable)
- Rental contract
- Social security card
- Vehicle documentation
- Proof of insurance
- Registration
You will also need to fill out a statement of your personal history.
Step 6. Polygraph and Physical Agility Test Plus Psychological and Medical Exam
After you have passed your background check, you will take a polygraph examination known as a truth verification exam. A Lieutenant will also interview you.
Once you have passed your polygraph test and had a successful interview, you will take a test that assesses your physical ability to determine if you are physically fit enough to become a Sheriff Deputy in San Diego County.
Having passed the physical agility test, you will then undergo a thorough psychological evaluation, including both a written test and an interview with a psychologist.
Once you have passed your psychological screening, you will be examined by a physician to ensure that you meet the standards to become a Sheriff Deputy in San Diego County.
Step 7. Attend San Diego County Sheriff’s Academy for Training
After you have passed the medical examination, you will undergo 26 weeks of intensive training to become a Sheriff Deputy in San Diego County at the Sheriff’s Academy. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Academy is located on the Miramar College campus.
You will attend classes from 7 AM to 3:30 PM during the weekends. You may also have to attend some weekends and nights. You will need to be living at the Sheriff’s Academy, so be prepared to travel back and forth.
Your training will involve classroom instruction, physical fitness, and such technical skills as:
- Firearms
- Operating emergency vehicles
- Defensive tactics
You can view a sample curriculum.