Deputy Sheriff is the entry-level sworn peace officer in the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Similar to police officers, they enforce laws, prevent crime, and serve the public. Because the Sheriff's Office covers a larger area and manages detention and court facilities, Deputy Sheriffs often work in less densely populated regions and take on broader responsibilities, including supervising detainees and providing court security.

Deputy Sheriffs serve in one of three bureaus: Law Enforcement Services, Detention Services, or Court Services. As a result, we hire and train for two classifications: Law Enforcement and Detentions/Courts.:

• APPLY NOW: Deputy Sheriff's Cadet (Law Enforcement)
  
  
• APPLY NOW: Deputy Sheriff's Cadet-Detentions/Court Services

Both follow a similar hiring process but have different Physical Agility Tests and attend separate academies: 26 weeks for Law Enforcement Deputy Sheriff Cadets and 16 weeks for Detentions/Courts Cadets.

We also hire experienced Deputy Sheriffs as laterals, offering premiums for specialized skills. Like cadets, lateral hires are brought in under two classifications: Law Enforcement and Detentions/Courts.

• APPLY NOW: Deputy Sheriff-Lateral (Law Enforcement)
  
  
• APPLY NOW: Deputy Sheriff-Detentions/Court Services-Lateral

• FIND OUT MORE: Deputy Sheriff - Law Enforcement
  
  
• FIND OUT MORE: Deputy Sheriff - Detentions/Court Services

No matter which path a Deputy Sheriff chooses, opportunities are wide-ranging. Both Law Enforcement and Detentions/Court Services deputies can rise to command staff. Recruiters often suggest applying to both classifications so candidates can continue in Detentions/Court Services if they don’t pass the Law Enforcement Physical Agility Test.

For those in Detentions/Court Services who want to go on patrol, a Detentions‑to‑Law Enforcement career path is available.

• APPLY NOW: Deputy Sheriff's Cadet-Promotional (Promotional D-to-LE)
  
  

Promotional Opportunities and Professional Growth