Deputy Sheriff Lateral Entry

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The San Diego County Sheriff’s Lateral Program welcomes California POST Certificate Law Enforcement Officers. Although assignments are based on the needs of the department, the department greatly considers a candidate’s training and experience.

How to Register

STEP 1. Complete and submit an on-line application for either the Deputy Sheriff Lateral classification or the Deputy Sheriff Lateral Detentions/Court Services classification. You may submit applications for both classifications. Attach one of the following items of documentation with your submission:

California Commission of Police Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Certificate, Or
California P.O.S.T. Waiver, Or
California P.O.S.T. Re-Certification Course Letter with original California P.O.S.T. Certificate, Or
California P.O.S.T. Basic Law Enforcement Academy Certificate of Completion, Or
Letter of Good Standing and attendance confirmation from California P.O.S.T. Certified Academy (must be within 90 days of graduation)

STEP 2. If you meet the minimum qualifications for either the Deputy Sheriff Lateral or Deputy Sheriff Lateral Detentions/Courts Services classification, the Department of Human Resources will contact you via e-mail or letter notification. The Department of Human Resources will give you directions on how to use the online self-scheduling feature to schedule yourself for an upcoming qualification shoot examination.

Once scheduled, you will NOT receive a reminder to appear at your qualification shoot. Please record the date and time of your exam when you schedule yourself. This is your responsibility.

STEP 3. Firearms Qualification & Pre-screen Background Assessment Interview

STEP 4. Comprehensive Background Investigation

STEP 5. Truth Verification (CVSA) Exam

STEP 6. Psychological Evaluation

STEP 7. Medical Exam

STEP 8. Physical Agility Test

STEP 9. Employment Interview

Promotional Hiring Steps

STEP 1. Complete and submit an on-line application for the Deputy Sheriff Promotional position.

STEP 2. If you meet the minimum qualifications for the Deputy Sheriff Promotional position, the Department of Human Resources will contact you via e-mail or letter notification. The Department of Human Resources will give you directions on how to use the online self-scheduling feature to schedule yourself for an upcoming qualification shoot examination.

Once scheduled, you will NOT receive a reminder to appear at your qualification shoot. Please record the date and time of your qualification shoot exam when you schedule yourself. This is your responsibility.

STEP 3. Firearms Qualification

STEPS 4-9. Refer to Lateral Steps

Minimum Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen
No felony convictions. Not on Probation. Misdemeanors may be disqualifying depending on the quantity, type of violation, and the date of the violation.
Vision: 20/100 uncorrected, corrected to at least 20/30, No minimum vision requirements for Soft Contact Lens wearers. (subject to POST requirements)
Valid California Class "C" Drivers License prior to appointment.
U.S. High School graduate or G.E.D.
21 years of age
Effective oral and written communications in English
Successful completion of a comprehensive Background Investigation, Computer Voice Stress Analysis Exam, Employment Interview, Psychological Examination & complete Medical Examination.

In addition, lateral applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements regarding California POST:

Successfully completed a California P.O.S.T. Basic Law Enforcement Academy and possess a Certificate of Completion. You must have graduated within the last three years, OR
Have successfully completed, at any time, a California P.O.S.T. Basic Law Enforcement Academy. You must either be currently employed under one of the penal codes listed below, or have less than a three year (3) year break in service in one of the following Penal Code categories:
1. 830.1 - Sheriff's, Marshals, City Police, San Diego Unified Port District Harbor Police, Etc.
2. 832.2(a) - California Highway Patrol
3. 830.2(d) - Member of University of California Police Department
4. 830.2(e) - Member of California State University and College Police Department
5. 830.3l(g) - Member of San Francisco BART Police
6. 830.3l(h) - Harbor or Port Police, or
Successfully completed a California P.O.S.T. Re-Certification Course, within the last three years and possess valid a California P.O.S.T. Certificate, OR
Out of state candidates must successfully complete a California Basic P.O.S.T. Waiver Exam, with documentation from P.O.S.T., within the last three years, OR
Successfully completed Levels 1, 2 and 3 or the four-part reserve format training modules A, B, C, & D, for the regular Basic Course, within the last three years, OR
Are within five months of graduation from a California P.O.S.T. Basic Law Enforcement Academy. At the time of the exam, the applicant must present a letter from the Academy, on letter head, confirming enrollment, graduation date and the applicant’s good standing in the class.

For all applicants currently employed under penal codes 830.1, 832.2(a), 832.2(d), 832.2(e), 832.2(g), 832.2(h), your POST certification will remain current. If not employed as an officer under any of the stated penal codes, the POST certification will expire three years from:

the date of graduation from a POST Academy, or
the date of separation from employment under penal codes 830.1, 832.2(a), 832.2(d), 832.2(e), 832.2(g), 832.2(h), or
the date of completion of a POST Waiver Program, or
the date of completion of a POST Re-Certification Course

In any of the cases listed above, all applicants must have at least one year left on their POST Certification in order to be eligible to test.

NOTICE: Out of state applicants must contact the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) to see if their training qualifies them for a California POST Certification waiver.

California Commission on Peace Officer Standards & Training
1601 Alhambra Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95816-7083
Phone: (916) 227-3909
Fax: (916) 227-3895
E-mail: postmaster@post.ca.gov