How to Become a Deputy Sheriff in Idaho

Ada County Sheriff Department Jobs

The Ada County Sheriff’s Office (208-577-3000) is the largest law enforcement agency in the State of Idaho, employing 322 commissioned officers. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office and the law enforcement professionals who work there are tasking with upholding nearly all law enforcement functions of the state. They are also responsible for patrolling the waterways, operating the jails, issuing weapons permits and driver’s licenses, and serving civil process from the courts.

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This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to become an Ada County Sheriff Deputy:

  1. Meet all minimum employment requirements
  2. Apply for employment
  3. Take the written examination
  4. Take the physical agility test
  5. Undergo screening interview
  6. Undergo an Oral Board Interview
  7. Receive a Conditional Offer and complete Academy training

Step 1. Meet All Employment Requirements

  • U.S. citizen
  • At least 21 years of ago
  • Have at least 64 semester credits or an associate’s (You can find a list of regionally accredited institutions here); OR have two years of full-time law enforcement experience with a recognized public safety agency; OR have four years of full-time, consecutive military service
  • Possess a valid Idaho driver’s license
  • No smoking within the past 11 months
  • No felony conviction as an adult
  • No soft illegal drug use in the past 3 years (i.e., marijuana, illegal prescription drugs or steroids, paint huffing, etc.)
  • No hard illegal drug use in the past 5 years (i.e., cocaine, LSD, heroin, etc.)
  • No convictions of child abuse, stalking, or domestic battery
  • Do DUI convictions in the past 3 years
  • No driver’s license suspensions in the past 3 years for DUI, points, or chemical test refusal
  • No dishonorable military discharge (if applicable)

Step 2.  Apply for Employment

The Ada County Sheriff’s Office accepts applications for Ada County Deputy Sheriff Jobs on a continuous basis, and all applications for Ada County Sheriff Department jobs are reviewed upon receipt.

Note: The Ada County Sheriff’s Office has a continuous testing policy for Ada County Deputy Sheriff Jobs, which means that the physical agility test, written examination, screening interview, and oral boards are all conducted “as deemed necessary for the Sheriff’s Office.” Individuals are added to the Continuous Testing Eligibility List and ranked according to their scores.

Step 3.  Take the Written Examination

Individuals contacted by the Sheriff’s Office must take the written examination. Only those candidates who pass the written examination are invited to take the Physical Agility test.

The Ada County Sheriff’s Office uses the National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory (You can order study guides here.) for testing for Ada County Deputy Sheriff Jobs, which includes the following assessments:

  • Reading comprehension
  • Writing
  • Mathematics
  • Interpersonal abilities
  • Assertiveness
  • Stress tolerance
  • Team orientation
  • Ethics/integrity

Individuals who fail their written examination or physical agility test may reapply three months after their original testing date.

Step 4. Take the Physical Agility Test

The physical agility test includes the following components/events:

  • Vertical jump (14 inches minimum)
  • Sit-ups (15 in one minute minimum)
  • Push-ups (21 minimum)
  • 300-meter run (77 seconds minimum)
  • 1.5-mile run/walk (17 minutes, 17 seconds minimum)

Individuals who fail their written examination or physical agility test may reapply three months after their original testing date.

Step 5. Undergo Screening Interview

Candidates who successfully pass the written examination and physical agility test are scheduled for a screening interview, which covers the Sheriff’s Office hiring standards. The interview lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, and all answers are evaluated by a background investigator on a pass/fail basis.

Step. Undergo an Oral Board Interview

The Oral Board Interview, which is completed following the successful completion of the Screening Interview, lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. A panel of two to four evaluates the answers given by the candidate and scores them with a range of 0-100.

Candidates who are deemed unsuitable by the Oral Board are not scored, but instead eligible to retest after a six-month waiting period.

Step 7. Receive a Conditional Offer and Complete Academy Training

The State of Idaho requires all peace officers in the state to complete a 10-week training academy course through the Peace Officer and Training Council (POST) as to achieve basic certification as a patrol officer. Academy training is completed at the POST Academy in Meridian, Idaho.

Bannock County Sheriff Department Jobs

The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center (208-236-7123) has established itself as one of the leaders in rural law enforcement in the State of Idaho. Now more than a century since its inception, the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office provides a comprehensive array of law enforcement services, which now a Mountain Bike Patrol Unit, a Detention Center, and a K-9 unit. The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division includes 19 deputies that provide law enforcement services to all of the unincorporated areas of Bannock County and four contracted municipalities, all of which total more than 1,100 square miles.

This guide is designed to provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to become a Bannock County Sheriff Deputy:

  1. Meet all minimum employment requirements for Bannock County Sheriff Department Jobs
  2. Submit an application for employment for Bannock County Deputy Sheriff Jobs
  3. Submit all required documents
  4. Pass the Physical Readiness Test
  5. Receive a conditional job offer and complete all remaining testing
  6. Attend the POST Academy

Step 1. Meet Employment Requirements for Bannock County Sheriff Department Jobs

Before you apply for a job with the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office you should ensure you meet all minimum employment requirements for Bannock County Deputy Sheriff Jobs, which include:

  • Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent (Preference is given to applicants with college credits, related job experience or college degrees)
  • Must be at least 21 years old
  • Must have a valid driver’s license

Step 2. Submit an Application for Employment for Bannock County Deputy Sheriff Jobs

You must complete and submit a Bannock County Sheriff’s Office Application, sign it in the presence of a notary public, and mail it to the following address:

Bannock County Sheriff’s Office
P.O. Box 4666
Pocatello, ID 83205-4666

You may also receive an application or drop off a completed application at the Sheriff’s Office, which is located at:

Bannock County Sheriff’s Office
5800 South Fifth Avenue
Pocatello, ID 83204

Office hours are 8:00AM to 5:00PM, Monday through Friday.

Step 3. Submit All Required Documents

The Bannock County Sheriff’s Department requires the submission of the following documents with all completed applications for Bannock County Deputy Sheriff Jobs:

  • Birth certificate or other proof of United States citizenship
  • High school diploma or GED, plus a copy of your high school transcripts
  • Social Security card
  • Driver’s License (driver transcripts, if applying out-of-state)
  • Military form DD-214 (if applicable)
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • Divorce decree/legal separation papers (if applicable)
  • Certified copies of college or university transcripts (if applicable)
  • Photograph (2×2, passport-size)

Step 4. Pass the Physical Readiness Test

Candidates contacted by the Sheriff’s Office must successfully pass a Physical Readiness Test, which includes the following:

  • Vertical jump
  • One-minute sit-ups
  • Push-ups
  • 300-meter run
  • 1.5-mile run

Step 5. Receive a Conditional Job Offer and Complete All Remaining Testing

Candidates who successfully pass the Physical Readiness Test are given a conditional job offer. Upon receipt of a conditional job offer you will be required to:

  • Pass a POST physical exam (at your own expense)
  • Pass a complete background check (including criminal history and polygraph exam)

Step 6. Attend the POST Academy

The State of Idaho requires all peace officers in the state to complete a 10-week training academy program through the Peace Officer and Training Council (POST) as to achieve basic certification as a patrol officer. All officers with the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office must complete this mandatory training within the first year of employment.

Bonneville County Sheriff Department

Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office jobs involve providing security, safety, and a wide array of services to the residents and visitors of Bonneville County, Idaho. The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office also maintains a jail facility and provides a number of legally mandated services.

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This guide provides step-by-step instructions that detail how to become a Bonneville County Sheriff Deputy:

  1. Meet minimum requirements for Bonneville County Deputy Sheriff Jobs
  2. Apply for employment with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s office
  3. Take the written examination
  4. Take the physical abilities test
  5. Reserve a place on the applicant eligibility list
  6. Receive conditional officer of employment and complete remaining testing
  7. Complete Academy Training for Idaho Certification

Step 1. Meet Minimum Requirements for Bonneville County Deputy Sheriff Jobs

All candidates for Bonneville County Deputy Sheriff Jobs must ensure they meet the minimum requirements set forth by the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office before they apply for Bonneville County Sheriff Department Jobs. Minimum employment requirements include:

  • U.S. citizen
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Valid driver’s license
  • No felony convictions
  • Meet all Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training Council requirements (refer to Step 7)

Step 2. Apply for Employment with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office

All candidates for employment at the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office must complete an application for employment and submit it by the posted deadline (found on the employment application) to personnel@co.bonneville.id.us.

Step 3. Take the Written Examination

After you submit your application, you must contact the Personnel Office at 208-529-1340 to schedule testing. Seating is limited to 25 applicants per session, and all sessions are filled based upon the receipt of application.

The written test for Bonneville County Deputy Sheriff jobs is designed to measure the applicant’s English language ability in reading and reading comprehension, basic math skills, and memory retention. There are no study materials available through the Sheriff’s Office for this written test.

Only those candidates who score 60 percent or better are eligible to take the physical abilities test, and scheduling for the physical abilities test takes place immediately following the written exam.

Step 4. Take the Physical Abilities Test

The physical abilities test for Bonneville County Sheriff Department Jobs includes the following:

  • Vaulting over a 3-foot-high horizontal bar
  • Pushing, pulling, and lifting 80 pounds
  • 440-yard obstacle course run

Step 5. Reserve a Place on the Applicant Eligibility List

The successful completion of the written examination and physical abilities test allow candidates to be placed on the applicant eligibility list for the coming year or until the time another test is scheduled.

Step 6. Receive Conditional Officer of Employment and Complete Remaining Testing

Those candidates chosen from the applicant eligibility list are given all remaining tests, along with a conditional offer of employment. Testing may include a background investigation, physical examination, and psychological examination.

Step 7. Complete Academy Training for Idaho Certification

All peace officers in Idaho must complete a 10-week training academy course through the Peace Officer and Training Council (POST) as to achieve basic certification as a patrol officer. Academy training is completed at the POST Academy in Meridian, Idaho.

Canyon County Sheriff Department Jobs

Canyon County Sheriff’s Office (sheriffoffice@canyonco.org, 208-454-7510) jobs involve providing all law enforcement services throughout the county.

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

  1. Meet all minimum employment requirements
  2. Submit an application
  3. Pass the physical fitness test
  4. Pass a background examination
  5. Receive POST Certification

Step 1. Verify that you Meet Employment Requirements

Before you can apply for Canyon County Deputy Sheriff jobs you must ensure you meet all minimum requirements. In particular, you must:

  • Possess a high school diploma or GED (some college courses in criminal justice preferred)
  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Have no involvement with illegal drugs, including marijuana use in the past 3 years and the use of illegal drugs in the past 5 years
  • Have no history of selling, transporting or manufacturing illegal drugs
  • Have no history of long-term abuse of illegal drugs
  • Possess a valid Idaho driver’s license without a suspended license, conviction of a DUI or driving without privileges in the past 2 years, or 5 or more moving offenses in the past 3 years
  • Have no felony convictions
  • Have no domestic battery convictions
  • Have no misdemeanor convictions involving sex crimes, crimes of deceit, and drug offenses within the past 5 years

Step 2. Submit an Application

The position of sheriff’s deputy is an ongoing one with the Canyon County Sheriff Office, so applications may be submitted at any time.

To apply for Canyon County Deputy Sheriff Jobs, you must download and complete a Canyon County application packet. You may email the application packet, along with your high school, GED or college transcripts to hrdept@canyonco.org or fax it to 208-454-6637.

All application packets and cover letters must be addressed to:

Human Resources Department
Attn: Hiring
1115 Albany Street, Room 253
Caldwell, ID 83605

Step 3. Pass the Physical Fitness Test

Individuals contacted by the Human Resources Department will be required to undergo a physical fitness test before continuing with the testing process. Physical test requirements include:

  • 1.5-mile run
  • 300 meter run
  • Push-ups
  • Sit-ups
  • Vertical jump

Step 4.  Pass a Background Examination

Only those candidates who pass the physical fitness test are eligible to continue the pre-employment process, which includes a polygraph examination through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Step 5. Receive POST Certification

All candidates must achieve their POST Certification within one year of hire with the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office.

The State of Idaho requires all peace officers in the state to complete a 10-week training academy course through the Peace Officer and Training Council (POST) as to achieve basic certification as a patrol officer.

Kootenai County Sheriff Department Jobs

Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office jobs involve serving the residents and visitors of Kootenai County and the 1,245 square miles of land, 18 lakes, and 56 miles of waterways throughout the county. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office has a large campus in the city of Coeur d’Alene, which includes a number of departments, including: Administration, the Civil Division, Animal Control, Patrol, Investigations, Records, and the Office of Emergency Management.

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If you want to learn how to become a Kootenai County Sheriff Deputy you must complete a number of steps:

  1. Meet minimum requirements for Kootenai County Deputy Sheriff Jobs
  2. Obtain and hold an Idaho POST Level I Certificate
  3. Submit an employment application
  4. Take the written exam
  5. Take the Physical Agility Test
  6. Meet with the Oral Board
  7. Undergo a polygraph examination and psychological examination
  8. Undergo a medical examination, including hearing and vision tests

Step 1. Meet Minimum Requirements for Kootenai County Deputy Sheriff Jobs

Before you apply for Kootenai County Deputy Sheriff Jobs, you should first ensure you meet the minimum requirements for employment as set forth by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. In particular, you must:

  • Hold a high school diploma or GED
  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • No less than two years of law enforcement experience
  • Have a current driver’s license
  • Be CPR certified with First Aid card
  • Be a citizen of the United States
  • Have no dishonorable discharge from the military
  • Have no DUI convictions within the last 5 years (and no more than one DUI conviction)
  • Have no more than 3 moving violations within the 3 years preceding the application
  • Have no felony, traffic or criminal convictions
  • Have no misdemeanor charges within the last 5 years
  • Have not used or possessed illegal drugs within the last 3 years

Step 2. Obtain and Hold an Idaho POST Level I Certificate

All candidates for Kootenai County Deputy Sheriff jobs must be able to obtain and hold an Idaho POST Level I Certificate by successfully completing the Peace Officer and Training Council (POST) program, as well as in-house training and qualification settings.

Step 3. Submit an Employment Application

Download and print the Kootenai County employment application and send it, along with a resume, cover letter and military form DD-214 (if applicable), to:

Kootenai County
ATTN: HR Department
P.O. Box 9000
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816-9000

You may also receive and submit applications at the Administration Building in Coeur d’Alene. You can call 208-446-1641 for more information.

Step 4. Take the Written Exam

All candidates who meet the minimum requirements for Kootenai County Sheriff Department Jobs will be contacted to take a written exam. Idaho Certified Peace Officers are exempt from taking the written exam.

Step 5. Take the Physical Agility Test

Only those candidates who pass the written exam may take the physical agility test.

Step 6. Meet with the Oral Board

Only those candidates who pass the physical agility test will meet with the Oral Board.

Step 7. Undergo a Polygraph Examination and Psychological Exam

Polygraph and psychological examinations are given only to those candidates who pass the Oral Board interview. Not all candidates may be required to take the polygraph and psychological examinations.

Step 8. Undergo a Medical Examination, Including Hearing and Vision Tests

All candidates must pass the medical examination in accordance with POST Standards. Upon a successful medical examination you may receive a conditional job offer with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.

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