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exercise sound judgment in reaching conclusions about people and events. These are the qualities that
police executives look for when interviewing and evaluating candidates for this position.
Most new Detectives receive formal instruction in a police training facility. Length of training varies
among departments throughout the country and can range from two weeks to a few months or more.
Where formal training is not available, candidates are trained on the job. Whether the training is formal,
on the job, or a combination of both, new Detectives are instructed in most or all of the following: criminal
and civil law; local laws and ordinances; rules of evidence; courtroom procedures; warrant and subpoena
procedures; media relations; investigation techniques; analysis of crime scenes; collecting, recording,
and analyzing information; collection, preparation, classification, and use of fingerprints; police
photography; capabilities of crime laboratories; methods of interrogation and interview; surveillance and
undercover methods; information sources and informants; and identification of suspects by witnesses or
victims. In progressive police departments, Detectives continue to receive periodic in-service training.
Detectives with special assignments, such as arson/bomb disposal or narcotics, receive additional
intensive training to develop skills in these areas.
Even if they have already served as permanent members of a police force, newly trained Detec-
tives serve a period of probation under their new titles before being permanently appointed as Police
Detectives.
County Positions
DEPUTY SHERIFF
The entry requirements for Deputy Sheriffs vary significantly among counties throughout the country.
Generally, however, candidates must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 21 and 29 at the time of
appointment. In most cases, time spent in military service can be deducted from the candidate's
chronological age in meeting the upper age limit. Most sheriff's agencies require completion of high
school as the educational minimum, but increasing numbers are asking for college credits as well. Courses
considered useful in preparing for police work include civics, sociology, government, English, history,
science, and language study. The selection and employment of Deputy Sheriffs is controlled by
established regulations or programs that differ from one county to another. Among these regulations are
state and county civil service laws, merit board regulations, and formal work agreements or contracts.
Each is unique but usually involves some kind of test-selection activity, whether written or oral, or an
evaluation of prior work experience. In addition to meeting prescribed physical requirements (including
standards of height, weight, and vision), candidates must also pass a comprehensive medical examination
that may also include psychological evaluation. All candidates undergo a thorough background investi-
gation to determine past history, character, stability, and general suitability for law enforcement work.
Possession of a valid driver's license is necessary to appointment to a sheriff's agency.
Newly hired Deputies receive some type of formal training before being assigned to duty, but there
are wide differences in its length and extent among the various sheriffs' departments around the country.
Deputies in large agencies are likely to enter training academies where programs range from two to six
months in length. Those in smaller agencies may not receive such formal training but, where possible,
may be sent to state or municipal training academies at a future time to develop their skills further.
Regardless of how or where the training takes place, Deputies usually receive instruction in such subjects
as criminal law; arrest, search, and seizure procedures; methods of patrol, surveillance, and communica-
tions; accident prevention and traffic control; motor vehicle codes; laws of evidence; crime prevention
and criminal investigation procedures; pursuit driving; methods of self-defense; use of various types of
firearms; crowd control; first aid; community relations; preparation of reports; agency regulations; and
