The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is unusual compared to most other law enforcement agencies in the United States. Few, if any, other sheriff departments face the incredible 4,200 squares per mile area, covering terrain of 2.5 million multi-cultural residents of San Diego County. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department serves its residents from 7 stations, 9 substations and 3 rural resident offices with high quality law enforcement service. Law Enforcement Deputy Sheriffs can work in detention facilities and courthouses in addition to these locations.

LOCATION ASSIGNMENT

Initially, as a Deputy Sheriff Law Enforcement Academy graduate, you will be assigned to one of the department's three bureaus: Detention, Court or Law Enforcement.

After completing your first assignment, you will then be assigned to one of seven master patrol stations shown as follows:

• Encinitas
• Imperial Beach
• Lemon Grove
• Poway
• San Marcos
• Santee
• Vista

Specialized Positions

As a Deputy Sheriff Law Enforcement, you may be assigned one of the following specialized positions (Note: You must complete two years in patrol before applying for a specialized position):

• Detective
  Perform follow-up investigations for specialized areas including the following:
  • Area Investigator
  • Arson/Explosives
  • Auto Theft Task Force
  • Backgrounds Investigator
  • Criminal Intelligence
  • Domestic Violence
  • Elder Abuse Investigator
  • Fraud/Forgery Investigator
  • Homicide Investigator
  • Jail Investigator
  • Juvenile Intervention
  • Juvenile Investigator
  • Vice Narcotics

• Helicopter Pilot/Observer
  Pilot the aircraft on routine patrol, monitor radio, and coordinate responding ground units at the scene of crimes and emergencies

• Personnel/Recruiting/Backgrounds Officer
  Recruit qualified candidates from all segments of the community for a career as a Deputy Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff-Detentions/Courts

• Special Enforcement Detail Officer
  Specially trained in the area of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). Perform high risk warrant service, directed patrol, investigations support, detentions support, and dignitary protection.

• Training Officer
  Provide training for personnel at various department locations. Specific training positions include the following:
  • Academy Training Officer
  • Field Training Officer
  • Jail Training Officer
  • Weapons Training Officer
    

Schedule

Patrol Schedule

As a Deputy Sheriff Law Enforcement, you will be working a schedule in which you will be 4 days on and 4 days off, then 3 days on and 3 days off. Most stations will require you to work 12.5 hour shifts on your on days.

An example of a Law Enforcement Deputy Sheriff's schedule working patrol is shown as follows:

Equipment

As a Deputy Sheriff Law Enforcement, you will be provided with the following equipment:

• Leather gear
• Duty weapon and magazines
• 5-cell Flashlight
• Riot helmet
• Baton
• Handcuffs
• Bullet proof vest
• Rain gear
• P.A.M. mask
• Patrol bag
• Radio