FAQ's - Sworn Positions

Question:  Are you hiring?

Answer:  Yes.  Positions are opened and closed on the website periodically based around our hiring cycles.  Please check the Law Enforcement and Law Enforcement Support pages for information on each position.

Question:  Do you sponsor people to the academy?

Answer:  Yes, however, sponsorship opportunities are very competitive.  We receive over 1,500 applications each year for sponsorships, but only about 50 people are sponsored.

Question:  How can I make myself more competitive?

Answer:  By attending a law enforcement academy on your own.  Many schools offer evening academies.

Question:  What are the qualifications for deputy sheriff?

Answer:   All candidates must have at least 2 years of college, military or law enforcement related experience or any combination thereof, or two years of full-time law enforcement experience.

   Additional requirements include:

• H.S. or GED diploma 
• At least 20 years of age 
• U.S. Citizen
• Valid drivers license for the last year and have no more than two moving violations over the past the past 3 years.  No DUI convictions for the past 5 years.  Other driving history will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
• Must not have been convicted of a felony. Must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral character, false statements, perjury or domestic violence.
• Must never have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States
• No illegal drug usage over the past 3 years.  Other drug usage will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
• Good physical condition
• Vision of 20/40 corrected or better

Question:  How long does it take to get hired?

Answer:  It depends on the position for which you are applying.  For certified candidates, the hiring process generally takes about 4-6 months.  Sponsorship candidates are often processed then placed in a hiring pool for future positions.

Question:  Is there an age limit?

Answer:  Candidates must be 20 years old to apply.  The FDLE academy entry age is 19.  Qualified and competitive candidates are usually at least 21 years old and it is very common to hire 45-50 year olds.  There is no upper age limit.

Question:  What are the physical requirements?

Answer:  Law enforcement is a highly demanding job, both physically and mentally.  All candidates are required to pass a rigorous medical exam (including treadmill EKG).  Candidate also participate in a Physical Ability Test, which includes a 1.5 mile run, push-ups, and sit-ups.  For details refer to the Law Enforcement page.   

Question:  Do you have a tattoo policy?

Answer:  Yes.  Candidates may not have any visible body ornamentation, with the exception of a tattoo, or combination of tattoos, that is on an arm and can be covered by a 3 x 5 inch rectangle.  For details, see the policy located in the online application.  

Question:  Do I have to live in the county?

Answer:  No.  However, in order to take home your agency vehicle, you must live within 20 miles of the county line.

Question:  If I’m hired as a deputy, how long before I can go into a specialized unit?

Answer:  Two years.

Question:  Do I have to be a United States Citizen?

Answer:  Yes.  This standard is required by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

Question:  Is there shift work, or can I start on days?

Answer:  The shifts are fixed and do not rotate; most newly hired deputies will work evenings or nights.

Question:  I’m certified in another state.  Can I be hired?

Answer:  Yes, however, you must first complete the FDLE/ Equivalency-of-Training course.

FAQ's - ACADEMY POSITIONS

Question:  Do you sponsor people to the academy?

Answer:  Yes, however, sponsorship opportunities are very competitive.  We receive over 1,000 applications each year for sponsorships, but only about 50-75 people are sponsored.

Question:  How long is the academy?

Answer:  The full-time/day academy is approximately 5 months long.  The part-time/night academy is about 9 months long.

Question:  How much does the academy cost?

Answer:  It varies per academy, but the cost of tuition plus equipment is approximately $3,000.

Question:  Which academy is best, or which does the OCSO recommend?

Answer:  Every academy has the exact same FDLE curriculum and has similar FDLE testing pass rates. The OCSO sends all sponsorships to the academy at Valencia Community College.

Question:  Does the VA cover the cost of the academy?

Answer:  Yes, along with a multitude of other financial benefits.  Contact your local VA representative for details.

FAQ's - CIVILIAN/SUPPORT POSITIONS

Question:  What positions are you hiring for?

Answer:   See the Civilian Positions dropdown for detailed information about vacancies.  This list changes occasionally, so please check back periodically.

Question:  I already applied but haven’t heard or was not chosen.  Why?

Answer:   We receive thousands of applications for our civilian positions each year so the positions are very competitive. 

Question:  How can I make myself more competitive?

Answer:  We look for candidates with solid work history, college, military and/or experience related to the position sought.

Question:  What other things do you look at when hiring?

Answer:  We consider all aspects of a candidate’s work history and experience.  We also review criminal history, credit, driving history and character.