How to Become a Deputy Sheriff in Delaware

Kent County Sheriff Department Jobs

As the Delaware Constitution reads, sheriffs and deputy sheriffs in Kent County may serve warrants and other legal documents, transport prisoners to court proceedings, sell property in Sheriff’s Sales, and organize warrants and writs. They do not, under that law, have the power to arrest people.

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While the defined roles of sheriffs and deputy sheriffs in Delaware are still being debated in arbitration, you should read on to find out how to become a Kent County Sheriff Deputy.

Follow the steps below to become a Kent County Sheriff’s Deputy:

  1. Check to make certain that you fulfill the basic qualifications
  2. Pass a written examination and interview (orally)
  3. Pass a medical examination, including a drug test
  4. Pass psychological and background investigations
  5. Complete Kent County Deputy Sheriff Training requirements

Step 1.  Meet the Basic Qualifications for Kent County Deputy Sheriff Candidacy

In order to qualify for Kent County Deputy Sheriff Candidacy, you must have at least one year of law enforcement experience. You must also:

  • Hold a high school diploma or GED
  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Hold a valid driver’s license

You may apply online if you wish to become a Deputy Sheriff in Kent County, as long as there is a vacant position.

Step 2. Pass a Written Examination and Interview

The Kent County Department of Human Resources will evaluate your application for employment as a Deputy Sheriff in Kent County.  If it is accepted, you will be notified to take a written examination. This examination will be scored, and you will be notified via mail of your score and, if you pass, your ranking on the Kent County eligibility list for Deputy Sheriff. You will not necessarily be called for an interview at this time. If you are not called, your name will stay on the eligibility list for twelve months.

If the Human Resources Department does call you for an interview, you will meet with a panel of representatives from Human Resources and the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. Passing this interview will get you a tentative employment offer, dependent upon passing Step 3.

Step 3. Pass a Medical Examination, Including a Drug Test

The next step involves submitting to a thorough medical examination. A Kent County physician, chosen by the Board, will take a full medical history and perform the examination. This examination will include a drug and alcohol test. If you are hired, expect to have to submit to more drug testing during the course of your employment. Your vision and hearing will be checked as well to make sure that both are adequate so that you can fulfill the duties of a Kent County Deputy Sheriff.

Step 4. Pass Psychological and Background Investigations

Passing the medical exam and drug test will lead to the next step in testing, consisting of a psychological evaluation and a thorough background investigation. A Kent County psychologist, appointed by the Board, will evaluate you psychologically and deem your suitability for the Kent County Deputy Sheriff job. Your personality, as well as other aspects of your psyche, will be examined.

In addition, a thorough background investigation will be performed. You must provide the following documentation to the Board to facilitate this investigation:

  • Diploma and/or degree copies
  • Copies of your driving record (in all states in which you have ever had a driver’s license)
  • Your signed statement from the job application that allows the Board to complete the background investigation

If you are cleared after these two investigations, you will receive a firm offer of employment as a Kent County Deputy Sheriff.

Step 5. Complete Kent County Deputy Sheriff Training Requirements

Well done! You have completed the application process and have become a Kent County Deputy Sheriff! You are on probation for the first six months you are employed, and will participate in any on-the-job training required of the Kent County Sheriff Office.

New Castle County Sheriff Department Jobs

The New Castle County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for executing civil process as directed by the court or State Law. Deputy sheriffs in New Castle County levy, impound and sell property to satisfy a legal judgment, serve legal process writs, and take into custody persons wanted for a civil capias. As of July 2013, there were eight Deputy Sheriffs in New Castle County.

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This guide provides instructions on how to become a New Castle County Sheriff’s Deputy in five steps:

  1. Check to see if you meet the basic requirements
  2. Pass a written examination and oral interview
  3. Pass a medical examination and drug screening test
  4. Pass a background investigation and psychological examination
  5. Complete New Castle County Deputy Sheriff Training

Step 1.  Meet the Basic Qualifications for New Castle County Deputy Sheriff Candidacy

The New Castle County Sheriff’s Office values experience over education when it comes to Deputy Sheriffs, as is evident in the following basic qualifications for the position:

  • You must have graduated from high school and/or have a GED
  • You must have one year or more of experience as a law enforcement officer or security guard
  • You must possess a valid Delaware Class D driver’s license
  • You must be a U.S. citizen

Do you meet the above qualifications to become a Deputy Sheriff in New Castle County? If so, begin the process by filing your application online before the closing date listed on the job posting.

Step 2. Pass a Written Examination and Oral Interview

If the New Castle County Government Department of Human Resources evaluates your application and deems you qualified, you will be contacted within four weeks of the Deputy Sheriff job announcement. You will be informed of the date and time of the written examination that you must pass. After taking the exam, you will receive a letter noting your score and your ranking on the eligibility list, as passing this examination does not automatically get you the job.

Usually, the top five candidates on the eligibility list for a Deputy Sheriff position will be invited to interview with a panel including the Sheriff‘s Office’s hiring manager. If you are not selected for the position after this interview, you will be notified by mail. Your name will remain on the eligibility list for future Deputy Sheriff jobs for one year.

If you do pass the interview process, you will receive a tentative offer of employment, contingent upon the results of the next steps.

Step 3. Pass a Medical Examination and Drug Screening Test

Once you receive a tentative offer of employment for Deputy Sheriff in New Castle County, you will be asked to submit to a full medical examination. This medical examination will be performed by a New Castle County physician chosen by the Department of Human Resources. It will include a drug and alcohol screening test.

The physician must certify that your weight is proportionate to your height. Your uncorrected vision must be at least 20/200 in each eye, and corrected vision 20/30 in each eye. If you are color blind, you will fail the medical examination.

Step 4. Pass a Background Investigation and Psychological Examination

Candidates who pass the medical examination and drug screening test will be subject to a thorough background investigation. Your credit history, educational and employment history, as well as personal and residential history will all be thoroughly checked. You must provide the following documentation to assist in the background investigation:

  • Copy of your high school diploma or GED
  • Copy of any college degrees you may possess
  • Driving record from all states in which you have ever held a driver’s license
  • Signed statement (already completed on the job application) authorizing the Department of Human Resources to conduct a background investigation

Additionally, the Department of Human Resources will assign a New Castle County psychologist to perform a psychological examination. The cumulative results of these investigations will determine whether you will be offered a position as a Sheriff Deputy in New Castle County.

Step 5. Attend New Castle County Deputy Sheriff Training

You have made it! You are now a New Castle County Deputy Sheriff! For the first six months of your employment, you will be considered on probation. During this time, you must complete a weapons training program.

Sussex County Sheriff Department Jobs

The Delaware Constitution defines the position of Sheriff, and Deputy Sheriff, as “conservators of the peace.” By Delaware law, Sussex County Deputy Sheriffs and Sheriffs are prohibited from attending police training. Sussex County Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs have recently been blocked from supporting other law enforcement agencies in the county and state, while Delaware politicians continue to debate their law enforcement duties, if any.  Sussex County Deputy Sheriff jobs involve transportation of prisoners to and from court, serving warrants, selling property in sheriff’s sales to fulfill taxpayer obligations, and processing and organizing writs and warrants.

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Below you will discover how to become a Sussex County Sheriff Deputy, through these steps:

  1. Ensure that  you meet the necessary requirements
  2. Pass a written examination and interview with the Board
  3. Pass medical and drug screenings
  4. Pass background checks and psychological testing
  5. Complete Sussex County Deputy Sheriff Training

Step 1.  Ensure that You Meet the Necessary Requirements for Sussex County Deputy Sheriff Candidacy

Although as of 2013, Sussex County Deputy Sheriffs have no true law enforcement powers, in order to get a job as a Sussex County Deputy Sheriff, you should have at least a year of experience as a security guard or in some type of law enforcement.  Other qualifications you must meet to apply include:

  • Graduation from high school or obtained a general equivalency diploma
  • Possession of a valid Delaware driver’s license
  • U.S. citizenship

If you meet these requirements, complete a Sussex County Application for Employment. Mail it to: Human Resources Department, Sussex County Administrative Building,
Room 278, 2 The Circle, PO Box 589, Georgetown, DE 19947.

Step 2. Pass a Written Examination and Interview With the Board

The Sussex County Human Resources Department will review your application and decide if you qualify to take the written examination. If you do, you will be notified in writing of the date and time of the examination. If you pass the exam, you will be put on a list of eligible persons to fill the next available Sussex County Deputy Sheriff job. This does not mean that you will be called for an interview, however. You will remain on the list for one year.

If you are called for an interview, you will face members of the Sussex County Human Resources Department as well as a Sheriff’s Office representative. Passing this interview means that you will be given a contingent offer of employment. You will receive a firm offer for the Sussex County Sheriff Deputy job only if you pass the next steps.

Step 3. Pass Medical and Drug Screenings

A Sussex County doctor chosen by the Human Resources Department will administer a physical and medical examination. Your weight, vision and hearing will be evaluated to ensure that you can perform the duties of a Deputy Sheriff in Sussex County. Additionally, you must pass a drug and alcohol screening test.

Step 4. Pass Background Checks and Psychological Testing

If you pass the medical and drug screening examinations, you will then face psychological testing. A Sussex County psychologist chosen by the Human Resource Department performs this. At this time, the Human Resources Department will also conduct a full background investigation on you. Your educational, employment, credit, residential and personal history will all be investigated. Passing these investigations will earn you a firm offer of employment as a Sussex County Deputy Sheriff.

Step 5. Complete Sussex County Deputy Sheriff Training

Congratulations! You are now a Sussex County Deputy Sheriff! The Sussex County Human Resources Department considers you to be on probation during the first six months of your employment. You must complete the Sussex County Deputy Sheriff Training program as well, which as of February 2013 consists of on-the-job training.

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