Unlike most Sheriff’s departments that have a county-wide or municipal jurisdiction, the Rhode Island Division of Sheriff’s provides protection to citizens throughout the state of Rhode Island.
Learn how to become a Sheriff’s Deputy in Rhode Island by following these six steps:
- Meet the Basic Qualifications
- Written Examination
- Physical Fitness Test and Background Check
- Psychological Examination
- Medical Examination
- Attend Sheriff’s Academy for Training
Step 1. Meet the Basic Qualifications to Become a Sheriff’s Deputy in Rhode Island
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for Rhode Island Sheriff Deputy jobs:
- You must not have tattoos that are visible while wearing your short sleeved summer uniform.
- You must have be a high school graduate or have a GED and one of the following:
- At least an Associate Degree in criminal justice or law enforcement
- Military service: 3 years active or 4 years reserve, Coast Guard, or National Guard
- 3 years working full time as a correctional officer
- Have successfully completed a Rhode Island police academy or program
- At least 2 years of working full-time in a position that requires maintaining law & order and protecting life & property. You must have been responsible for arresting and detaining people who violated the law.
- You must not have been convicted of any felonies.
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must have a driver’s license.
- Your vision must be 20/40 or better and be correctable to at least 20/20.
- You must have normal depth and color perception.
- You must have normal hearing ability.
Step 2. Written Examination and Physical Fitness Test
You must complete a written test of your ability to reason cognitively.
You must first download the physical fitness test booklet before you are scheduled for your physical fitness test. Be sure and have your medical certificate for the fitness test filled out and with you for the exam.
You will have to successfully complete each of the following tasks:
- Vertical jump
- Sit-ups in one minute
- Run 300 meters
- Push-ups in 1 minute
- Run 1.5 miles
Step 3. Background Check
After a screen of your fitness test results by the Department of Public Safety has found you to be successful, you will be thoroughly investigated by a Rhode Island Department of Public Safety member. Preference will be given to Council 94 members. This will involve examining your:
- Character
- Community reputation
- Consumer credit history
- Criminal history
- Education
- Employment record
Step 4. Psychological Examination
Once your background check has cleared you, you will take a psychological examination that involves both a written test and an interview by a psychologist. Your test results will be interpreted by a psychologist.
Step 5. Medical Examination
After you have been found psychologically fit to be a Deputy Sheriff in Rhode Island, you will be given a thorough medical evaluation by a physician.
Step 6. Attend Sheriff’s Academy for Training
Once you have been cleared by a physician, you will undergo 6 weeks of training part-time at The Rhode Island Sheriff Academy in Cranston. You will be trained five hours each evening starting at 5 PM from Monday through Fridays.
The schedule involves classes, demonstrations, lectures and a period of physical activity each day for 30 days. The physical training involves:
- Calisthenics
- Defensive tactics
- Hand to hand combat
You will also be trained in using your revolver, and you will have to be qualified with your weapon in accordance with state law.
Once you have completed the training program, you will either be sworn in as a Sheriff Deputy or placed on a reserve list. You will be on probation for six months after you have been sworn in.