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Deputy Sheriff
Duties
A deputy sheriff will perform a wide variety of law enforcement functions:
- Build relationships among local communities
- Enforce state laws and local ordinances and provide traffic enforcement
- Investigate criminal acts and arrest criminal offenders
- Patrol assigned beat areas
- Prepare incident reports and ensure the safe storage of held property and/or evidence
- Serve and administer civil and criminal documents
- Testify in court
- Transport inmates
- Work on special enforcement details
Salary & Benefits
In addition to an exciting and challenging career opportunity with the Sheriff’s Department, the County of Riverside participates in the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) and offers an excellent retirement program such as:
- Advanced Certification: Intermediate and Advanced levels of post-certification also qualify for additional compensation.
- Bilingual Skills: We offer additional compensation in assignments that require you to use your bilingual skills.
- Education/Degree: A 2.5% premium pay benefit for completion of a Bachelor’s degree and an additional 2.5% premium pay benefit for completion of a Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Medical/Dental/Vision: A flex benefit is provided in the amount of $712 monthly.
For more information visit the job description and benefits page.
Minimum Requirements for a Deputy Sheriff
- Ability to obtain California Driver License
- At least 20 years and 9 months of age at the start of the academy
- Oral and written communications skills
- U.S. citizen
- U.S. high school diploma or G.E.D, or equivalent
Disqualifiers
- Conviction of misdemeanor domestic violence
- Currently on probation
- DUI violations within the last 3 years
- Felony convictions
- Lying or withholding any information
Getting Started as a Deputy Sheriff
Is it easy to become one of us? Nope. Is it rewarding to make it? You bet. Serving our communities with integrity, professionalism, leadership and loyalty is our culture and commitment. We want the best and we offer the best paid training, competitive salary, benefits, and opportunity for advancement.
How It Works
The hiring process begins online when you select the Deputy Sheriff career path and create an online profile.
- Register and complete a profile, or logon if you already have an account.
- Complete our online pre-screen questionnaire.
- Take the written exam.
- You take a physical agility test (PAT).
- Complete a background investigation packet. It’s a detailed history of your life, and we conduct an extensive background check based on your statements.
- Attend your background interview.
- You take a polygraph examination.
- You take a psychological examination.
- You take a medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening.
Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all of the steps.
Getting Hired as a Trainee
If you successfully pass all of the steps we may hire you as a Deputy Sheriff Trainee and send you to our 6-month basic peace officer training academy.
Self-Sponsored
Moreno Valley College offers law enforcement training for those who wish to complete the courses at their own expense. Courses are offered on a full-time (intensive) or part-time (modular) basis. View a list of Self-Sponsored courses.
Deputy Sheriff Training
Before you can wear the badge of a Sheriff’s deputy, you need training. When you enter the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy you are employed as a Deputy Sheriff Trainee. A Deputy Sheriff Trainee is a non-sworn class which has no peace officer powers.
During your training, you will be under the close supervision of a Sheriff’s Sergeant while you attend the academy to learn the principles, methods, and techniques practiced by a sworn Deputy Sheriff.
Training
Academy training is a high-discipline and high-stress program focused on:
- Arrest Methods
- Community Relations
- Cultural Diversity
- Defensive Tactics
- Emergency Vehicle Operations
- Ethics and Leadership
- Firearms and Chemical Agents Training
- Fitness
- Investigative Report Writing
- Professionalism
Time Frame
The Basic Peace Officer Training Academy is a 952 hour (approximately 6 months) course designed to meet the minimum requirements of a peace officer as established by the Commission on POST.
Training Activities
- 14 Scenario and physical training, defensive tactics and firearms testing
- 26 Knowledge-based exams
- Drill training
- Inspections
- Physical exercise
After Training
Deputy Sheriff Trainees are eligible for promotion to Deputy Sheriff upon successful completion of the academy. If you do not successfully complete academy training you may be released from employment.
The Exam
The examination consists of a bio metric and aptitude assessment which is comprised of 6 sections: four untimed sections containing questions based on you, your personality, and past experiences; and two timed sections assessing deductive reasoning and verbal ability.
Written Exam Testing Schedule
After you have successfully completed the pre-screen questionnaire, you may schedule your written examination. Arrive on time for your test, be professionally dressed, and bring valid government-issued photo identification. No resume is required at this time. You should plan on spending up to 1 hours to complete the exam. We do not accept test scores from outside agencies.
Scheduling Your Exam
- To schedule an appointment to take the written examination for Correctional Deputy or Deputy Sheriff, login to your profile or contact Human Resources for assistance.
- To schedule an appointment for any other position or examination, you will need to view the job advertisement for more details.
Testing Locations
Human Resources administers testing for Correctional Deputy and Deputy Sheriff. Check the scheduling calendar for more detailed information regarding availability at each location. Appointments required. No walk-ins will be accepted at this time.
Physical Agility Test
After you have successfully completed the written examination, you will be notified of your scheduled Physical Agility Test (PAT). All candidates must appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification and dressed in physical training attire to participate. You’ll be given one attempt for each of the events and you should check your score card after each event to verify the correct scores are recorded.
Background Orientation
If you successfully complete the physical agility test a background orientation is conducted immediately following the test and you will be given your background packet. You have 12 business days from the date you receive your background packet to complete it and return it to the Sheriff’s Personnel.
Physical Agility Test
The PAT consists of:
- 1 ½ mile run: The run must be completed within 13 minutes, with no stopping or walking.
- Push-ups: A minimum of 30 push-ups must be completed within 60 seconds.
- Sit-ups: A minimum of 30 sit-ups must be completed within 60 seconds.
If you weren’t able to successfully complete the physical agility test you may contact a recruiter to schedule another attempt.
Advance Preparation
You can take an Introduction to Law Enforcement and Physical Conditioning for Basic Academy Students course through Moreno Valley College. The class meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Sheriff’s Ben Clark Training Center for one semester. It’s a great way to experience academy physical training and to meet training staff.
You may use your agility scores from this course in place of the physical agility test as long as they meet the minimum pass points.
What You Will Gain From the Course
- The academy is rigorous. Taking this intro course will get you into shape to meet the physical demands of academy training.
- You’ll learn the training style practiced at the academy and you’ll learn more about academy rules and regulations.
- Meet other candidates who can provide support and encouragement.
- Meet the staff who conduct the academy program and who can answer your questions about the academy.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding the course please email Moreno Valley College.