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Qualifications
Basic qualifications
Whether you are an entry-level or lateral applicant, you must meet all basic qualifications to qualify for a deputy sheriff position:
- You need to be a lawful permanent resident or citizen of the United States at the time of application.
- You must have a high school degree or GED.
- You must have the ability to read, speak, and write the English language fluently.
- You must be at least 20 years of age at the time of application and age 21 on the date of hire.
- You must have a Washington State driver's license or be able to obtain one by the date of hire.
- You must meet King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) medical standards, as determined by a medical exam following an offer of employment.
- You must be able to pass the background investigation. (We have provided a short self-screening background questionnaire that will help us determine whether you meet some basic background qualifications. This is attached to Deputy Sheriff job application and must be filled out as a part of the application package.)
Additional qualifications for lateral applicants
If you are a lateral applicant with previous experience, you must meet the basic qualifications as well as the following:
- Experience as a full-time commissioned police officer with at least 12 months of active patrol after completion of all academy training.
- Time training on active patrol (PTO/FTO or similar) will count towards the 12 months of active patrol requirement.
- Successful completion of probation as a commissioned officer with a city, county, or state police, or sheriff's department.
- Federal Law Enforcement experience may qualify, pending a review from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center (CJTC). Please reach out to Marc Alvarado, Civil Service HR Analyst, at marc.alvarado@kingcounty.gov for next steps in the process.
- Less than a 2-year break in service from a former police officer position.
- Academy training that meets or exceeds the Washington State CJTC's standards (720 hours).
- Out-of-state applicants will be required to complete an 80-hour equivalency academy.
- Verification that you do not meet any of the Sheriff’s Office automatic disqualifying behaviors.
Basic skills
These are the basic skills you'll need to be a law enforcement officer:
- Ability to speak clearly and listen well to others
- Ability to write a report with grammatically correct English
- Ability to comprehend laws and procedures of law enforcement
- Ability to accurately recall learning in the workplace
- Ability to accurately remember what you've witnessed during incidents
- Ability to follow maps and find your way around
- Excellent physical fitness
- Basic computer skills
Academy training
Before you can become a deputy, you must complete 720 hours of basic law enforcement academy (BLEA) training at the Washington State Criminal Justice Center Training Commission (WSCJTC) within 6 months of hire. King County Sheriff's Office must sponsor you to attend. There are no self-sponsorships.
WSCJTC is located in Burien, WA near SeaTac Airport. Classes generally run Monday-Friday business hours, with some evening and weekend sessions. Please note that dorm rooms are not available for KCSO hires.
All academy recruits must be able to actively and fully participate in:
- Defensive drills
- Any other required physical activity under WAC 139-05-230
The 720-hour Basic Academy curriculum is designed to provide recruit officers with the basic knowledge and skills necessary for safe, proper, and effective law enforcement service.
Instructional blocks include:
- Criminal Law and Procedures
- Traffic Enforcement
- Cultural Awareness
- Communication Skills
- Emergency Vehicle Operations Course
- Firearms
- Crisis Intervention
- Patrol Procedures
- Criminal Investigation
- Defensive Tactics