Every once in a while, our recruiting unit conducts an open Q&A on Instagram @JoinSDSheriff. If your question isn't listed below, please feel free to pose your question during one of these Q&A sessions — or send a Direct Message (DM).

You can also find our recruiters at an event and ask your question in person — check the Recruiting Events Calendar for more information.

Requirements

• How old do you have to be to apply?
• Is there an age cut off?
• Do I need a degree?
• Are there any benefits to having an A.A. degree?
• How crucial is the physical part of the test for the hiring process?

Physical Preparation

• What's going to be on the physical agility test?
• Do you have workout sessions?
• When training for running, is it more important to run for time or for distance?
• Do the workouts happen, rain or shine?
• For how long do cadets physically train?

Military Experience

• Is my military experience applicable?
• I'm in the National Guard [or other military agency], currently deployed. How soon can I apply to start the process?

The Written Exam

• I took the POST exam with a different agency. Would I still need to take it?
• Do we have to take the written exam if we have a college degree?

The Hiring Process

• How long does the hiring process take?
• When should I apply if I graduate at the end of this school year?
• Are there flexible schedules for those who want to join and finish their college degree?

Lateral Hires

• Are you hiring laterals?
• Can laterals apply to Law Enforcement but work the courts?

The Academies

• If you apply for detentions now, could you go to patrol academy later in your career?
• Is the academy live-in? If not, what is the hourly schedule at the academy?
• How long is the police academy? What is the next step after the academy?
• How many seats are there in the academies?

Work Assignments

• Do all new academy graduates have to work corrections before patrol?

Work Schedule

• What are the shifts like? Is it a set schedule?
• What are the shifts for court positions?

REQUIREMENTS

• Q: How old do you have to be to apply?
  A: Detentions/Courts: you must be 18 years old at the time of the written exam. Law Enforcement: you must be 20.5 years old at the time of application, 21 at the time of appointment.
• Q: Is there an age cut off?
  A: There is no maximum age limit.
• Q: Do I need a degree?
  A: A college degree is not required. However, we offer incentives for having a bachelor's degree.
• Q: Are there any benefits to having an A.A. degree?
  A: If you have a 2-year degree or higher, and you present your transcript at the time of application and then pass the online process, you can waive the written exam.
• Q: How crucial is the physical part of the test for the hiring process?
  A: Passing the Physical Agility Test (PAT) is a requirement for the hiring process.

PHYSICAL PREPARATION

• Q: What's going to be on the physical agility test?
  A: You can find that information here.
• Q: Do you have workout sessions?
  A: Yes! Once in the hiring process, you will be invited to our voluntary workout program to get prepared for the academy. There are seven workouts a month, and we go over running, strength training, and drill instruction.
• Q: When training for running, is it more important to run for time or for distance?
  A: If you are new to running, start training for distance. For the assessment, background investigators want to see their candidates running at a 8-10 minute mile pace for three miles.
• Q: Do the workouts happen, rain or shine?
  A: We will keep you updated if a workout in canceled or rescheduled.
• Q: For how long do cadets physically train?
  A: The Detentions academy is 4 months. The Regional academy is 6 months. Cadets in both academies will be training 3-5 times a week.

MILITARY EXPERIENCE

• Q: Is my military experience applicable?
  A: Absolutely! We value your military experience.
• Q: I'm in the National Guard [or other military agency], currently deployed. How soon can I apply to start the process?
  A: We recommend starting the hiring process six months prior to your last day in the military.

THE WRITTEN EXAM

• Q: I took the POST exam with a different agency. Would I still need to take it?
  A: If you took the Pellet-B written exam with a different agency and received a score of 42 or higher, you do not need to take the written exam with our department.
• Q: Do we have to take the written exam if we have a college degree?
  A: If you have a 2-year degree or higher at the time of your application, and you pass the online process, the written exam will be waived, and you will be invited to attend the Pre-Investigative Questionnaire (PIQ).

THE HIRING PROCESS

• Q: How long does the hiring process take?
  A: The hiring process takes 4-8 months.
• Q: When should I apply if I graduate at the end of this school year?
  A: Start the hiring process 6 months prior to graduation. If it will be a while before you graduate, you can also apply for our Deputy Explorer program.
• Q: Are there flexible schedules for those who want to join and finish their college degree?
  A: We have student worker opportunities to work in various areas of the department. You can also apply for the Deputy Explorer program, which will give you the most flexible opportunity; plus, you will gain experience to succeed as a law enforcement candidate.

LATERAL HIRES

• Q: Are you hiring laterals?
  A: Yes. We conduct lateral qualification shoots once a month.
• Q: Can laterals apply to Law Enforcement but work the courts?
  A: Yes, depending on your employment history and training. Typically, there are positions available. Lateral candidates can be assigned to work courts.

THE ACADEMIES

• Q: If you apply for detentions now, could you go to patrol academy later in your career?
  A: Absolutely.
• Q: Is the academy live-in? If not, what is the hourly schedule at the academy?
  A: Both academies are NOT live-in. The academy is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Q: How long is the police academy? What is the next step after the academy?
  A: The Law Enforcement academy is 6 months. After you graduate, you will be assigned to work a detention or court facility and begin phase training.
• Q: How many seats are there in the academies?
  A: We try to fill 50 seats for both the Law Enforcement and Detention academies.

WORK ASSIGNMENTS

• Q: Do all new academy graduates have to work corrections before patrol? A: Typically, yes. All Law Enforcement graduates will begin their careers in either a detention facility or court facility before being assigned to work patrol. It is based on department needs.

WORK SCHEDULE

• Q: What are the shifts like? Is it a set schedule?
  A: Detentions: 12.5 hour shifts. Patrol: 12.5 hour shifts. Both work 14 days a month. Night/Day rotation occurs about every 4 months.
• Q: What the shifts for court positions?
  A: They are Monday through Friday, 8.5 hour shifts.