Criminal Justice -- Sheriff\'s Departments Hiring Requirements

Criminal Justice -- Sheriff's Departments Hiring Requirements

San Francisco County Sheriff's Department

The minimum qualifications for applying to the San Francisco Sheriff's Department (SFSD) are as follows: the candidate must be at least 18 years of age; must be a U.S. citizen or a "permanent alien who is eligible and has applied for citizenship"; must have a U.S. high school diploma (or GED certificate) or a 2-year or 4-year college degree; cannot have any felony convictions (and certain misdemeanor convictions); must be physically and mentally healthy and be of good moral character.

The selection requirements include: a) testing reading and writing ability (an acceptable score must be obtained on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery); b) an oral interview (the department head and another department employee, or an oral panel, gives this oral interview; a candidate's "experience, problem solving ability, communication skills, motivation/interest, interpersonal skills and community awareness / involvement are covered); c) a background investigation (personal behavior record; education; driving record; criminal record check; integrity; substance abuse history, citizenship verification; etc.); d) medical evaluation and a psychological evaluation (must have a history of good health; a licensed psychologist or a physician / surgeon will conduct psychological evaluation). The SFSC is assessing a person's history, their competence, and their ability to handle stress and solve problems. There is no mention of a "truth verification" (polygraph) test for the SFSD.

The SFSD has separate applications for dispatchers, deputies. The requirements for the SFSD are stringent, and because the recruitment process is thorough the SFSD has hired good quality talent. The SFSD has received high marks from the SF County Grand Jury (the jury found the SFSD canine unit "provides a unique service" by "removing a large number of contraband weaponry and narcotics"). The salary range for a SF deputy sheriff is from $87,464 to $117,078, and there is a $5,000 signing bonus for those qualified at the time of hiring.

San Diego County Sheriff's Department

The minimum qualifications for an applicant to the SDSD: must be 20-1/2 years of age; U.S. Citizen; high school or equivalent degree; no felony convictions and no disqualifying misdemeanors; 20/100 vision or corrected to at least 20/30; valid driver's license; effective use of English language. The written exam for the SDSD includes: reading comprehension; grammar (English); sentence construction; vocabulary and spelling competency. No math is expected but an essay test is given to applicants. If a candidate fails the written test he or she can take it again after six months.

The oral exam is given by medical professionals (including a psychologist) appointed by the sheriff. A comprehensive background investigation is launched for each candidate (looking into histories of education, jobs, any legal issues, family history) and a "truth verification exam" is given (a polygraph test / CVSA). Also a physical agilities test is required (consists of a 99 yard obstacle course; 6' solid fence jump; 6' chain link fence climb; a "165-pound life-like dummy drag for 32 feet"; and A 500 yard run).

As to tattoos, any body art must not be visible on the "face, neck, or head" because visible tattoos are "prejudicial to good order and discipline" (SDSD). There is also a firearms qualification test at the SDSD (which wasn't mentioned for the SFSD qualifications). As for salary, 1st step deputy pay is $22.17 an hour based on a 40-hour workweek. It takes 5-1/2 years to make the 8th step, which pays up to $36.34 an hour based on a 40-hour workweek.