Deputy Sheriff (USA)

In the US, sheriffs deputies or simply, deputy sheriffs are officers who enforce federal, state, and local laws within counties. These officers serve citizens by preventing crimes and intervening when called upon, including arresting and supervising those arrested. Mostly, they work closely with agencies for law enforcement, juvenile officers, social services, and court personnel in protecting the public from crimes. Deputy officers can move into management roles, such as chief deputy sheriff.

Outlook – Law Enforcement is in Demand

According to the BLS, deputy sheriff jobs are expected to increase 7% through to 2026, which is approximately 53,400 new positions. Police work of all types is physically demanding and has age and education requirements in most states, there have been shortages in recent years.

Deputy sheriff and police officers have different jurisdictions. A deputy sheriff is responsible for an entire county, which often includes a number of small towns and even several larger cities.

A police officer is  responsible for preventing crime within the city limits.  This includes patrolling the city, issue tickets, and testifying in court.

Deputy sheriff’s job varies by state.   This could include working in a county jails, investigating crimes or accidents, security in courts  and issuing warrants.

Strong Communication Skills: Effective communication skills are essential to effectively interact with the public, other law enforcement agencies, and colleagues. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is necessary for all law enforcement positions.

Physical Fitness: Deputy Sheriffs need to be in excellent physical condition.  Duties often involve running, jumping, and physically restraining suspects.

Emotional Intelligence and Control: Deputies need to have a high level of emotional intelligence to manage their emotions to function in a high-pressure and sometimes dangerous environment. This includes the ability to remain calm, focused, and composed in stressful situations, and to exhibit empathy and understanding towards others.

Problem-Solving Skills: Deputy Sheriffs are often required to think on their feet and come up with quick solutions to problems that arise in the field. Deputies must be able to analyze situations, identify problems, and determine the most appropriate course of action.

Critical Thinking: Deputies are often required to make fast, informed decisions in complex or ambiguous situations. This includes, evaluating information, identifying risks.   This is an essential skill for all law enforcement.

Ethics and Integrity: As representatives of the law, Deputy Sheriffs must be committed to maintaining high ethical standards and integrity. This includes honesty, respect, and fairness, upholding the law without bias or discrimination.

Effective Teamwork: Sheriffs work as part of a team and must collaborate with colleagues for common goals. This includes, communicating, sharing information, and supporting each other.

Danger and Risk: Deputy Sheriffs often work in high-risk situations that can involve physical harm or injury. They may have to deal with violent suspects, dangerous weapons, and other hazardous situations on a daily basis.

Stress and Trauma: The nature of law enforcement work can be emotionally and psychologically taxing. Deputy Sheriffs are often exposed to traumatic events, such as accidents, crime scenes, and violent incidents, which can take a toll on their mental health and wellbeing.

Public Perception: Law enforcement officers, including Deputy Sheriffs, may be subject to negative public perception and scrutiny, especially in the wake of high-profile incidents or cases of misconduct. This can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and distrust among the communities they serve.

Limited Resources: Many law enforcement agencies, including sheriff’s departments, face budget constraints and limited resources, which can impact the ability of Deputy Sheriffs to effectively perform their duties.

Work-Life Balance: The nature of law enforcement work, with long hours, shift work, and irregular schedules, can also impact the work-life balance of Deputy Sheriffs, and may lead to increased stress and fatigue.

1. Check Eligibility Requirements

Most of the counties require the following for a candidate to qualify to become a Deputy sheriff:

• Be a United States citizen
• At the time of hire, the candidate must be 21 years old or above
• Have a high school diploma
• Excellent mental and physical health. For men, 20% maximum body fat while 26% for women
• Have a 20/100 or better vision in each eye, or correctable to 20/20
• Have a valid driver’s license with an excellent driving record
• Have good moral behavior and character
• Have a clean criminal record
• Never engaged in an activity supporting felony or domestic violence
• Military training or experience is an added advantage
• A college degree, though not a requirement, makes one more desirable to agencies.

2. Submit an Application: Application can be online or in person.

3. Written Exam: Take a written examination, which tests their knowledge of basic math, reading comprehension, and writing skills.   See Below for more details.  Practice questions here

Physical Fitness Test: Candidates must pass a physical fitness test, to demonstrate physical abilities such as running, jumping, and carrying heavy objects.

Background Check: Pass a criminal history check, credit check, and a check of personal references.

Polygraph: Candidates may be required to take a polygraph examination depending on the county.

Interview: Candidates who pass all of the previous stages are interviewed by department officials or superior officers, to assesses interpersonal and communication skills, as well as knowledge of law enforcement and general character.

Medical and Psychological Evaluation: Candidates must undergo a medical and psychological evaluation to ensure they are physically and mentally fit.

Want to become a deputy Sheriff? The following are the steps followed by agencies in the hiring process:

• Testing in math, writing, and reading
• Thorough background check
• Clean driving record
• Physical exam and a stress test
• Psychological assessment
• Interview with a designee or Sheriff

Test contents vary by state.  Typical subject areas are:

• Vocabulary
• Reading comprehension
• Writing
• Spelling
• Grammar
• Deductive reasoning
• Inductive reasoning
• Data interpretation