How to Become a Deputy Sheriff in Pennsylvania

Allegheny County Sheriff Department Jobs

The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, which serves both the City of Pittsburgh and the greater Allegheny County area, provides court, prisoner transport, warrant, and bailiff services. The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department also often provides supplemental services to local police departments, including detective, lab, and SWAT services.

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This guide serves to provide step-by-step instructions on how to become an Allegheny County sheriff’s deputy:

  1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements
  2. Apply for Employment
  3. Take a Written Examination
  4. Take Oral and Psychological Exam
  5. Take Physical Examination
  6. Attend Certification Training

Step 1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements

Individuals interested in pursuing Allegheny County Deputy Sheriff jobs must first determine if they meet the Sheriff’s Department minimum employment requirements. In particular, all candidates must:

  • Be a citizen of the United States or have naturalization papers
  • Possess a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license
  • Have a high school diploma or a GED equivalent
  • 20/20 vision (corrected or uncorrected)
  • Honorable military discharge (must be able to show form DD-214)

Step 2. Apply for Employment

Once you have determined you meet minimum employment requirements for Allegheny County Sheriff Department jobs, you can apply for employment by submitting an employment application through Allegheny County’s Department of Human Resources. You may only apply for Allegheny County deputy sheriff jobs if the position is listed on the Human Resource Department’s Job Opportunities page.

Upon locating the open position of deputy sheriff, you may apply using the Allegheny County Employment Application. Once you have downloaded, printed and completed an application for employment, you must return it to:

Allegheny County Department of Human Resources
Application Intake
542 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Applications are usually processed by the Department of Human Resources in about 2 weeks. You may contact the Department at 412-350-6830 to receive more information on the status of your application.

Step 3.  Take a Written Examination

Candidates who meet the Department’s minimum employment requirements will be contacted to take a written examination, which covers the abilities, skills, and knowledge related to being a deputy sheriff in Allegheny County. You must pass all components of the written test to qualify to continue to the employment process.

Step 4. Take Oral and Psychological Exam

Following the written examination, top candidates will be chosen to take an oral and psychological exam.

Step 5. Take Physical Examination

All eligible candidates are then offered a conditional offer of appointment, which is contingent upon passing a thorough physical examination, which includes a vision test.

Step 6. Attend Certification Training

New recruits must attend mandatory training through Penn State University in State College, PA, as to become certified in Pennsylvania. The basic training program for deputy sheriffs consists of 760 hours.

Bucks County Sheriff Department Jobs

The Bucks County Sheriff’s Office’s team of deputy sheriffs is responsible for the transport of prisoners, court security, and serving bench warrants in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

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This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to become a Bucks County Sheriff’s Deputy:

  1. Meet Minimum Requirements
  2. Apply for Employment
  3. Take Physical Agility Assessment
  4. Interview with the Sheriff’s Office
  5. Complete Remaining Employment Testing
  6. Attend Basic Training Program

Step 1. Meet Minimum Requirements

Individuals seeking Bucks County deputy sheriff jobs must determine if they meet minimum employment requirements before applying for a job with the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office. All candidates must:

  • Have a high school diploma or the equivalent
  • Possess a valid driver’s license
  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Have no criminal record

Step 2. Apply for Employment

The first step in attaining Bucks County Sheriff Department jobs is to view job listings through the Bucks County Human Resources Job Requisitions page. You may only apply for Bucks County deputy sheriff jobs if the position is listed on the Job Requisitions page.

Once you have located the position of Bucks County deputy sheriff, click on the “Apply Now” link near the job description. Doing so will send you to BucksRECRUIT, the County of Bucks online application system. You may also pick up and/or drop off an application for employment by visiting one of the following sites:

  • Government Service Center
    261 California Road
    Quakertown, PA 18951
  • Bucks County Courthouse
    50 North Main Street
    Doylestown, PA 18901
  • Government Service Center
    7321 New Falls Road
    Levittown, PA 19055

Step 3. Take Physical Agility Assessment

Qualified candidates are contacted by the Bucks County Human Resources Department to schedule a time and date for the physical agility assessment.

Step 4. Interview with the Sheriff’s Office

Only those candidates who pass the physical agility assessment will be invited to interview with the Department.

Step 5. Complete Remaining Employment Testing

Although the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office does not provide detailed information regarding additional employment testing, other county sheriff offices in Pennsylvania require deputy sheriff candidates to complete the following employment testing:

  • Medical exam, including drug screen
  • Written exam
  • Psychological evaluation

Step 6. Attend Basic Training Program

All new deputy sheriff recruits through the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office must successfully complete the Deputy Sheriff’s Basic Training program (at Penn State University) and achieve certification within one year of being hired.

Lancasater County Sheriff Department Jobs

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office’s team of deputy sheriffs is tasked with:

  • Providing security and protection for the Courts
  • Transporting prisoners
  • Assisting other law enforcement agencies
  • Making arrests for outstanding bench warrants
  • Conducting investigations
  • Conducting judicial sales of real and personal property

If you want to learn how to become a Lancaster County sheriff deputy, this guide serves to provide step-by-step instructions on the recruitment and employment processes:

  1. Meet Minimum Requirements
  2. Submit an Application for Employment
  3. Take a Physical Fitness Test
  4. Take the Police Officer Selection Test
  5. Complete Employment Testing
  6. Attend Sheriff Deputy Training

Step 1. Meet Minimum Requirements

Candidates seeking Lancaster County Sheriff Department jobs must:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Have, at a minimum, a high school diploma or a GED

Step 2. Submit an Application for Employment

The job of deputy sheriff with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department is a continuous posting, as the Department always accepts employment applications, even when positions are not currently available.

To apply for Lancaster County deputy sheriff jobs, you must download, complete, print and sign the Application for Employment. Send the signed application, along with your resume to:

County of Lancaster
Human Resources office
150 N. Queen Street
Lancaster, PA 17603

You may also fax your application and resume to 717-293-7269.

You can address any questions to Chief Deputy Sheriff Marc A. Lancaster at: LancasterM@co.lancaster.pa.us.

Step 3. Take a Physical Fitness Test

All eligible candidates must first take and pass a physical fitness test. Only those candidates who pass the physical fitness test are eligible to continue the employment process.

Step 4. Take the Police Officer Selection Test

Candidates who pass the physical fitness test are eligible to take the national Police Officer’s Selection Test (POST), a written test that assesses candidates’ ability to perform the job of a Lancaster County deputy sheriff.

Step 5. Complete Employment Testing

Candidates who pass the POST are eligible to continue the employment process, which includes a background investigation, a polygraph examination, and a medical examination and drug screen.

Step 6. Attend Sheriff Deputy Training

All new deputy sheriff recruits through the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department must attend mandatory deputy sheriff training through Penn State University within one year of being hired with the Department.

Montgomery County Sheriff Department Jobs

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department supports a staff of 124 deputy sheriffs and administration and clerical personnel. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department provides both criminal and civil services to the Courts; it issues permits for firearms; and it provides a number of specialized services, including bomb disposal, emergency response, and community programs.

This guide provides detailed instructions on how to become a Montgomery County sheriff’s deputy:

  1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements
  2. Submit an Application for Employment
  3. Undergo Pre-Employment Testing
  4. Receive Department Training
  5. Attend State Training Program

Step 1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements

Individuals interested in pursuing Montgomery County deputy sheriff jobs must ensure they meet minimum employment requirements before submitting an application for employment. In particular, applicants must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Possess a high school diploma or the equivalent
  • Be a United States citizen
  • Have no criminal convictions

Step 2. Submit an Application for Employment

Once you have determined you meet minimum eligibility requirements for Montgomery County Sheriff Department jobs, you must determine whether the Sheriff’s Department is hiring, as you may only submit an application during hiring periods. You can find this information on the Department’s Employment and Training Opportunities page.

Once you have determined the Sheriff’s Department is hiring, you can apply online through the Montgomery County Job Opportunities page. Locate the deputy sheriff position on the page and click on the “Apply Online” button.  You may also upload your resume at the same time.

If the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department is not currently accepting applications for Montgomery County deputy sheriff jobs, you may subscribe on job posting notifications by choosing by clicking on the “Notify Me” button.

You may also download, print and complete an employment application for Montgomery County deputy sheriff jobs. Upon completing the application, return it, along with a copy of your resume, to:

City of Montgomery Human Resources
P.O. Box 311
Norristown, PA 19404-0311

You may also contact the Human Resources Department at 610-278-3052 and request that an application to be mailed to you.

Step 3. Undergo Pre-Employment Testing

Although the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office does not readily provide information on the hiring process, other county sheriff offices throughout the state have similar employment testing for deputy sheriffs, including:

  • Written exam
  • Physical ability assessment
  • Background investigation
  • Psychological evaluation
  • Medical examination/drug screen

Step 4.  Receive Department Training

All new deputy sheriff hires through the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department are initially trained by Department instructors in a number of areas, including:

  • Working with chemical agents
  • Prisoner transport
  • Handcuffing and searching of prisoners
  • Firearms training
  • Defensive and control tactics
  • Baton training

Step 5.  Attend State Training Program

Upon the successful completion of Department training, all new sheriff deputy recruits must complete a Deputy Sheriff’s Education and Training Program through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. All training programs for deputy sheriffs in the State of Pennsylvania are completed through Penn State University in State College, PA.

Philadelphia County Sheriff Department Jobs

The Philadelphia County Sheriff’s Office (215-686-3540) and its staff of trained deputies are tasked with doing everything from providing court protection and transporting prisoners to pursuing warrants and carrying out court orders, including foreclosures in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

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This guide provides detailed information on how to become a Philadelphia County sheriff’s deputy:

  1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements
  2. Apply for Employment
  3. Take the Written Test
  4. Take Remaining Employment Tests
  5. Attend Education and Training Program

Step 1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements

Before you begin the process of seeking Philadelphia County Sheriff Department jobs, you must ensure you meet the minimum requirements for employment as set forth by the Civil Service Commission. In particular, individuals seeking Philadelphia County deputy sheriff jobs must:

  • Have successfully completed the twelfth school grade
  • Must be at least 19 years old but no older than 50 years old
  • Have at least two years of experience in law enforcement or in court security
  • Possess a valid driver’s license (and a Commonwealth of PA driver’s license prior to appointment)

Step 2. Apply for Employment

Applicants for Philadelphia County deputy sheriff jobs must apply for employment through the City of Philadelphia Human Resource Department’s online application system. When using the system for the first time, you will need to create an account. Doing so will allow you to edit your application at a later date or apply for other open positions.

You may only apply for Philadelphia County Sheriff Department jobs if the job of deputy sheriff is listed on this page. If the position is listed, click on the “apply to this job” link. Make sure you provide a valid email address with your application as to receive a confirmation email once your application has been received. You are also encouraged to check back often to check the status of your application as to learn where you stand in the hiring process.

Step 3. Take the Written Test

Select candidates, upon review of their application for Philadelphia County sheriff deputy jobs, will be contacted to complete the Civil Service Commission’s written exam. This exam is a pass/fail exam, meaning only those candidates who pass the test are eligible to continue with the employment process and will be placed on the Civil Service eligibility list.

Step 4. Take Remaining Employment Tests

Candidates are scheduled for their remaining employment tests in order of their written exam scores. Veterans will also receive preference when scheduling the remaining employment tests. All candidates will be expected to take and pass the following tests before receiving an offer of employment with the Sheriff’s Department:

  • Drug screening
  • Medical evaluation
  • Background investigation
  • Psychological evaluation

Step 5. Attend Education and Training Program

All new sheriff deputy recruits are required to complete the Deputy Sheriff’s Education and Training Program through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency within one year of being hired as to receive mandatory certification. Basic training consists of a minimum of 760 hours and is conducted at Penn State University in State College, PA.

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