How to Become a Deputy Sheriff in Michigan

• Genesee County
• Macomb County
• Oakland County
• Wayne County

Genesee County Sheriff Department Jobs

The Genesee County Sheriff Department in Michigan serves the county seat of Flint, as well as more than thirty cities, villages, townships and unincorporated areas. To become a Deputy Sheriff, candidates must first serve as corrections deputies in the sheriff’s department.

The following overview covers the qualifications for those interested in learning how to become a sheriff’s deputy in Genesee County.

1. Minimum qualifications
2. Application
3. Eligibility list progression
4. Entry Level

Step 1. Minimum Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older
• United States citizenship and a Michigan resident for at least one (1) year
• If you’ve served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you must have been honorably discharged and supply a copy of DD214
• Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate
• Satisfy ONE of the following requirements:
  • Attained sixty (60) semester hours of college
  • Possess Michigan Department of Corrections training certification
  • Be a certified police officer
  • Be a licensed paramedic
  • Previously have been a Corrections Officer in  jail facility for three (3) years
  • Possess two years of military experience (either active or reserve)
  • Be a Flint, Michigan police officer or fire fighter
• Valid Michigan driver’s license
• Preferably possess CPR or first aid training

Step 2. Application

Applications for Genesee county deputy sheriff jobs can be found on the county’s Human Resources web site, which will also show current job openings with Genesee County.

• Download and complete an application
• Supply any of the following additional information, if applicable:
  • Copy of college transcript
  • MDOC certification
  • Proof of officer certification or paramedic license;
  • Proof of active duty service, honorable discharge and form DD214

• Submit your application
  • Email: applications@co.genesee.mi.us
  • Fax: 810 768-7097
  • Mail or submit in person:
    Genesee County Human Resources,
    1101 Beach Street, Rm. 337
    Flint, MI 48502

Step 3. Eligibility List Progression

Your application and documentation will be reviewed. If you appear to meet the qualifications for a corrections deputy, you will be notified by mail or by a telephone call of the date and location for the following processes:

• Physical agility test, which will include completing sit-ups, push-ups, and a stair-step cadence within a timed period
• Written examination
• Oral interview

If you successfully pass the above tests and examination, you will be placed on an eligibility list until there is an opening. At that time, you will be contacted by the sheriff’s department for an interview. You will also be notified about an investigation into your background and any necessary medical examinations.

Step 4. Entry Level

If you are offered employment as a Corrections Deputy, you will supervise inmates in the jail and may work with a senior deputy. You can test and apply for a position as a Sheriff’s Deputy when openings become available.

Macomb County Sheriff Department Jobs

Macomb County is Michigan’s third largest county population-wise, and the Macomb County Sheriff Department is responsible for covering not only part of the Detroit metropolitan area, but more than two dozen other cities, townships and villages, including Warren and Sterling Heights.

If you’re interested in a job as a deputy sheriff, here is some useful information on how to become a sheriff’s deputy in Macomb County:

1. Meet the Deputy Sheriff Qualifications
2. Complete the Application Packet
3. Hiring Process
4. MCOLES Standards Academy Training

Step 1. Meet the Deputy Sheriff Qualifications

Currently, to be eligible to apply for a deputy sheriff position you must have served as a Dispatcher or Correction Officers with at least 3 months of satisfactory service. Additional requirements:

• Be more than 18 years of age
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate
• Possess an associate’s degree or 60 accredited college credits
• Have taken and passed the current the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) physical agility test.
• Drug screening
• Pass physical examination
• Pass psychological evaluation
• United States citizenship and a Michigan resident for at least one (1) year
• If you’ve served in the military, you must have been honorably discharged and supply a copy of DD214

Step 2. Complete the Application Packet

The Civil Service Commission of Macomb County handles the application screening.

• If you meet the qualifications, download the Macomb County Civil Service Application Packet specific to Corrections Officer. The packet will include the application form, requirement form and MCOLES requirements.
• Fill out the form completely and submit it in person to:

Macomb County Clerk’s Office
40 North Main, 1st Floor,
Mount Clemens, MI  48043

Step 3. Hiring Process for Deputy Sheriffs in Macomb County

The Civil Service Commission of Macomb County handles the application screening. After reviewing your application, qualified candidates will be notified of dates and locations for the following testing:

• Written civil service examination
• Oral interview, which will also assess your appearance and communication skills
• Medical examination
• Psychological examination
• Physical agility testing
• Background investigation
• Drug screening
• Fingerprinting

Step 4. MCOLES Standards Academy Training

The Macomb County Sheriff’s Department reviews qualified candidates and makes the final hiring decisions. Candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete law enforcement training according to standards set by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES).

After training, you must successfully pass the MCOLES licensing examination within one year of your basic training.

Oakland County Sheriff Department Jobs

Michigan’s Oakland County Sheriff’s Department serves more than one million citizens in 62 cities and communities, including Troy, Farmington Hills, Birmingham, Royal Oak, Ferndale, as well as part of the Detroit metropolitan area. The Department’s jurisdiction also covers 450 inland lakes.

For those interested in Oakland County Sheriff’s Department jobs, this guide offers an overview of how to become a sheriff’s deputy in four steps.

1. Meeting the Qualifications
2. Submitting Your Application
3. Hiring Process
4. Training

Step 1. Meeting the Qualifications

You must:

• Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (G.E.D.) certificate
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s or chauffeur’s license
• Be a United States citizen
• At time of application:
  • Completed the Michigan Commission On Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) pre-test
    OR
  • Be qualified to be licensed as a deputy sheriff

• Possess 20/20 vision, or eyesight  that can be corrected to  that level, along with normal ability to see color and depth perception
• Possess normal hearing
• Have no prior criminal law convictions, including domestic violence (traffic, conservation and liquor laws are not considered criminal laws)
• Have ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing

Step 2. Submitting Your Application

Oakland County hires deputy sheriffs through the Oakland County Merit System, similar to a civil service system.

• Visit the “Jobs” section of the Oakland County home page (www.oakgov.com ) to view available jobs and to apply online. You can also call the Job Hotline at 248-858-0530.
• Your application will be reviewed to determine if your qualifications match the minimum requirements. You will be notified if your application is accepted or rejected. Those whose applications have been accepted will be notified of the dates and locations of required tests.

Step 3. Hiring process

The Oakland County Merit System requires candidates to:

• Take a written examination
• Pass a physical examination
• Pass an agility test
• Pass a psychological examination
• Undergo a field investigation of their background, including previous employment, schools, military service, and references. Oakland County uses E-Verify.
• Oral interview
• Be photographed identification
• Pass a drug test

Step 4. Training

A list of top candidates will be provided to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, who will make final hiring decisions.

Candidates offered employment must attend and pass corrections academy training mandated by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department during their probationary period.

Wayne County Sheriff Department Jobs

With the distinction of being the second largest police agency in Michigan, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department serves Detroit, along with more than 40 other communities, and is responsible for operations in one of the Midwest’s largest county jail systems.

If you are interested in joining the Wayne County Sheriff Department, here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for Wayne County Deputy Sheriff jobs.

1. Minimum requirements
2. Submitting an application
3. Testing
4. Eligibility list
5. Academy and probationary period

Step 1. Do You Meet these Minimum Requirements for a Sheriff Deputy Job?

• Possess a high school diploma or a GED certificate
• At least 18 years of age
• Driver’s license
• United States citizen and Michigan resident
• Vision correctable to an acceptable standard of 20/20

Step 2. Submitting an Application

The Wayne County Central Department of Personnel/Human Resources using the civil service system to recruit and provision Wayne County deputy sheriff jobs. The Wayne County Central Department of Personnel/Human Resources typically announces job openings online  on Mondays. When the department posts an announcement for deputy sheriff jobs, interested candidates should download an application.

Step 3. Testing

Candidates will be informed about dates and locations for the testing portion of the hiring process, which will include the following:

• Written examination that will be timed
• Physical examination
• Psychological examination performed by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist
• Background investigation
• Oral Interview, where applicants will be formally evaluated and rated
• Physical agility test, where applicants will be required to perform tasks that demonstrate the applicants evaluates physical strength, energy level
• Final review

Step 4. Eligibility List

Applicants are placed on a eligibility list according to their final testing scores. The names of the top three (3) candidates will be submitted to the Wayne County Sheriff Department for an in-person interview. Final candidates may be asked to take a pre-employment medical examination and a drug screening.

Step 5. Academy and Probationary Period

If you have successfully passed all testing, including the oral interview, and are selected, you will be offered employment and start your probationary period as a Wayne County Deputy Sheriff. This period may last from six (6) months to one (1) year, during which time you will be required to successfully complete training that satisfies the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) standards.

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