Be Part of the Team!
- Basic Duties of a Deputy Sheriff
- Qualifications for a Deputy Sheriff
- Salary and Benefits
- Self Assessment Guide
- Testing Process
- Training Process
- Career Opportunities
- Job Description
- Job Application
Join Sheriff's Finest
Joining the ranks of the Office of the Sheriff, Queen Anne's County is more than a job; it is the start of a difficult, demanding yet ultimately very satisfying career for the right type of person. Office of the Sheriff, Queen Anne's County Deputies enjoy the respect and prestige that come with membership in one of the finest Sheriff's Offices in the State of Maryland. Yet that respect and prestige is earned, not given. The following information will help you decide if you have the minimal qualifications and requirements to become a Deputy Sheriff.
Basic Duties of a Deputy Sheriff
A Deputy's duties and responsibilities include serving the citizens of Queen Anne's County by:
- Enforcing criminal and motor vehicle laws of the State of Maryland.
- Investigating vehicle collisions
- Investigating and handling criminal investigation such as, but not limited to: homicides, robberies (strong arm or armed), rapes, assaults, burglaries, thefts, and physical/sexual child abuse cases.
- Provide basic medical attention to injured persons.
- Issue traffic citations, warnings, and equipment repair order (ERO).
- Interview witnesses, victims, and suspects.
- Arrest and process suspects.
- Write field reports documenting investigations.
- Prepare cases for court and testify before juries and judges.
- Assisting both Circuit and District Courts in carrying out their duties (civil/criminal).
Qualifications
All applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Must be U.S. citizen and become a Maryland resident (preferably a county resident) on date of appointment as a Deputy candidate.
- Must have a high school diploma or current GED.
- Must possess a valid Maryland Driver's License.
- Must have a correctable 20/20 binocularly with soft contact lenses or safety glasses with normal color discrimination, depth perception and a field of vision of 170 degrees.
- Must be at least 20 1/2 years of age and upon completing an accredited police academy reaching the age of 21.
- Must be in good physical condition.
- Must be of good reputation and sound moral character (no felony/misdemeanor convictions).
- No convictions under domestic violence law. No current ex-partes or court orders relating to domestic violence.
- Satisfactory driving record with no more than five (5) points.
- Truthfulness at every stage of the of the application process.
Self Assessment Guide
Joining the ranks of the Office of the Sheriff, Queen Anne's County is more than a job; it is the start of a difficult, demanding, yet ultimately very satisfying career for the right type of person. Sheriff's Deputies enjoy the respect and prestige that come with membership in one of the finest Sheriff's Offices in the state. Earning that respect does not come easily. Many people are not aware of the steps involved in becoming a Queen Anne's County Deputy Sheriff. There are many excellent reasons for choosing a career with the Office of the Sheriff, Queen Anne's County. There are also many reasons to choose another path for your life. Each prospective candidate should carefully consider their own response to the following questions. A "no" response to any of the questions should lead you to reconsider your decision to begin the selection process. The life of a Queen Anne's County Deputy Sheriff requires dedication, sacrifice and commitment. It is not a lifestyle for everyone. It may not be the choice for you.
The selection process
- During the selection process are you prepared to:
- Go through a long, competitive eight (8) phase process which includes a written exam, oral interview, an in-depth background investigation, drug urinalysis screening, polygraph exam, medical exam and psychological testing (written & oral)?
- Invest up to a year to complete this process?
- Risk disappointment if you are not selected?
- Retake the written test if you do not achieve an acceptable score?
THE TRAINING ACADEMY
- If selected are you prepared to:
- Attend an approved Maryland Police Training Commission academy for 21 weeks equaling 802 hours of curriculum with limited contact with family and friends?
- Operate within a strict, disciplined, paramilitary system?
- Participate in a rigorous physical and mental training program? This includes college level academic courses requiring hundreds of classroom and study hours and numerous practical and written tests.
- Participate in physical training such as judo, running, officer survival tactics which may cause you physical discomfort?
- Perform menial tasks such as cleaning the academy and honoring the requests made by instructors or director?
- Obey orders without question, even though you may not understand or agree with the order or its purpose?
AS A DEPUTY
- Are you willing to:
- Work in any area of Queen Anne's County? Work outside in inclement weather conditions?
- Work weekends, holidays and shift work? Have limited choice of vacation or holiday time due to low seniority?
- Be the target of abusive or profane language from citizens yet respond in a professional manner?
- Confront and arrest persons who may be larger and stronger than you or who are armed with a deadly weapon?
- Face social isolation and the loss of former friends because of your choice of a career?
- Relieve the suffering of animals such as deer or dogs that have been injured by a motor vehicle?
- Take the life of a person in self-defense or defense of another person?
- Investigate violent or brutal crimes and effectively interact with the victim?
- Investigate fatal traffic accidents...provide medical attention to persons who have been severely injured...deal with hysterical witnesses...deliver death notices to next of kin and attend autopsies?
- Complete large number of reports, forms and other types of paperwork?
- Place yourself at risk to assist others and perform dangerous tasks in an unsafe environment?
If you have any questions after completing this assessment, please address them to a member of the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office.
The Testing Process
Deputy Candidate Process:
The Office of the Sheriff, Queen Anne's County has an open door policy for individuals seeking employment in the law enforcement profession. Individuals may stop by the office Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. to obtain a job application. Complete the application and return either in person or mail correspondence and the individual will be eligible as a candidate for deputy sheriff for one (1) year.
The Deputy Sheriff Candidate application process is divided into the following phases:
PHASE ONE - Written Examination of 100 questions consisting of but not limited to general knowledge, mathematics, map orientation, spelling and grammar usage. Applicants will be notified in writing of a test date and location. Those applicants with qualifying scores of 70% or better will automatically be advanced to phase two.
PHASE TWO - Oral Interview, which consists of both general personal background questions and situational questions that require the applicant to solve or deal with a given problem. Panel members usually consist of the Sheriff, Chief Deputy or their designee and representation from the Queen Anne's County Human Resources Department.
PHASE THREE - Applicants will receive an extensive Background Investigation Packet to be completed within ten (10) days upon receipt and return to the Commander of the Criminal Investigation Division. An investigator will solicit information about the applicant by contacting personal references, employers, neighbors, friends, employers, schools, law enforcement/military agencies, financial institutions, etc. THE BACKGROUND PACKET MUST BE COMPLETED TRUTHFULLY. ANY DECEPTION FOUND WILL EQUAL AUTOMATIC REJECTION INDEFINITELY!
PHASE FOUR - Pre-employment Polygraph Examination. All applicants are required to submit to a Pre-Employment Polygraph Examination and pass the exam with zero deception.
PHASE FIVE - Psychological Written Test and a Psychological Interview. There are three (3) written tests and when completed consumes approximately three (3) hours. The tests are then graded, and if individual passes, an oral interview is scheduled. The oral interview is conducted by the Queen Anne's County Psychologist and when completed a written report follows acknowledging mental stability of the applicant. This process is completed on a pass/fail basis.
PHASE SIX - Medical Examination. All applicants must complete a physical examination which is performed by the Queen Anne's County Doctor. This process is completed on a pass/fail basis.
PHASE SEVEN - Drug Screening (Urinalysis). All applicants must undergo a urinalysis screening for eight (8) drugs. This procedure is performed by Health Enhancement Services at Idlewild Avenue, Easton, Maryland between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday. This process is completed on a pass/fail basis.
PHASE EIGHT - Employment. Hiring of the applicant is contingent upon the successful completion of all phases. Applicants passing all phases will be approved by the Sheriff of Queen Anne's County and names forwarded to the Queen Anne's County Human Resources Department where the personnel director MAY grant employment. Applicants not passing all phases WILL NOT be eligible for employment.
REMARKS - Applicants who fail the written examination may retake the test one year after the initial test date. Applicants may only test three times in three years.
Deputy Sheriff Candidate positions are filled based upon the needs of the Office. Testing is conducted as needed and announcements sent to the candidates.
Salary and Benefits
- Annual Salary: $32,210 to 63,893 (as of July 01, 2006) compensation begins on the first day of employment.
- Shift Differenatial:Deputy Sheriff's will earn 0.60 per hour on night shift , and 0.30 per hour on late shift over regular pay.
- Vacation Leave: Deputy Sheriff's will earn a day a month for the first five (5) years. Deputy Sheriff's are on probation for two years (Certified Deputies are on probation for one year.) and will be evaluated at five (5) and eleven (11) months. For the first six (6) months a Deputy Sheriff can NOT use their vacation. No more than 400 hours vacation leave may be carried forward from calendar year to calendar year by anyone.
- Sick Leave: Deputy Sheriff's will earn ten (10) hours a month for each month worked and can accumulate an unlimited number of days. A Deputy Sheriff may use accumulated sick leave if it is necessary to be absent due to illness of a member of his/her immediate family.
- Personal Leave: Deputy Sheriff's shall accrue 40 hours of Personal Leave annually. New personnel shall accrue personal leave in an amount, which is prorated on the basis of the date of their employment. Personal Leave shall not be carried over from calendar year to the next.
- Compensatory Leave: Deputy Sheriff's can earn Compensatory Leave as form of overtime compensation. However, accrued leave may be used by Deputy Sheriff's within the quarter in which it is earned by or shall be converted to overtime pay and paid at the end of such quarter.
- Family Leave: Deputy Sheriff's may request unpaid/accrued leave to care for a child or family member. The maximum duration for such leave is twelve (12) weeks within a twelve (12) month period.
- Military Leave: Deputy Sheriff's who is a member of the National Guard or Armed Forces will be allowed up to three (3) calendar weeks paid military training leave annually.
- Bereavement Leave: Deputy Sheriff's shall be granted Bereavement Leave for the death in a Deputy Sheriff's immediate family not to exceed four (4) consecutive days; and additional leave, under exceptional circumstances, may be authorized by the County Administrator.
- Health Insurance: Queen Anne's County will provide both individual hospitalization insurance, dental/eye reimbursement, and life insurance to all full time Deputy Sheriff's in accordance with the provisions of the group plan. Coverage may also include a spouse or family. Deputy Sheriff's will be liable for 10% of the cost of such coverage, and the county shall pay 90% of the cost.
- Salaries and Promotions: Written promotional examinations and satisfactory performance evaluations determine eligibility for promotions. Salaries are based on an entry-level scale with annual precentage increases of 0, 2, 4, 5,&6 % until maximum in grade is reached. Additional longevity increments are payable after reciving maximum in scale. Deputy Sheriff's are evaluated each calendar year and can be compensated on work performance. Non ceritified deputies will be promoted to Deputy First class after two years with satifactory evaluations. Certified Deputies will be promoted to Deputy First Class after one year of satisfatory evaluations. Queen Anne's County completes a pay comparison study for Deputies every eighteen months with surrounding agencies.
- Holiday Leave: Deputy Sheriff's receives twelve (12) holidays a year and thirteen (13) if it is an election year.
- State Employee Credit Union: This is an optional benefit to all Deputy Sheriff's. The Credit Union offers a savings account; share drafts, checking account, new & used car loans, personal loans, and frequently homes mortgage loans.
- Deferred Compensation Plan: Queen Anne's County offers three (3) different plans to Deputy Sheriff's and they are VALIC, PEPSO and ICMA. These are optional benefits and they are very similar to IRA's.
- Life Insurance: This is a Life Insurance Plan paid by the county and the employee is required to join.
- College Courses: The course must be related to your position and approved by the Human Resources Department and Sheriff of Queen Anne's County. The county will pay for one (1) course per term with the transcript presented to the Human Resources Department. If the course is passed with an A = county will pay 100%, B = county will pay 75%, C = county will pay 50%, D, E, or Incomplete = county will pay nothing. County will not pay for books, accommodations, registration fee or meals.
- Optional Insurance: Queen Anne's County offers Deputy Sheriff's the chance to purchase additional life insurance on themselves and family members. Deputy Sheriff's are also offered disability insurance. The Deputy Sheriff pays these insurances.
- Drug Testing: Before a Deputy Sheriff is hired they will have to submit and pass a pre-employment drug test (urinalysis).
- Smoking Policy: Smoking in county buildings is prohibited.
- Maryland State Law Enforcement Officers Pension System: This is a requirement you must join the pension system and a copy of your birth certificate is required. Bi-weekly deductions are taken each week from your paychecks with Queen Anne's County paying slightly higher. The deductions are then forwarded to the State Pension System.
- Service Retirement: 25 years of service, or age 50.
- Secondary Employment: Deputies with average or above average job ratings are permitted to engage in approved forms of secondary employment.
- Patrol Vehicles: Deputy Sheriff's may use their assigned vehicles in an un-limited off-duty status within the county and to and from work out of county only. Off-duty status is a privilege and can be revoked when abused or budgetary restraints.
The Training Process
The Training Academy
Successful applicants will be accepted into the Maryland Police Training Commission Academy within the State of Maryland. The Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office prefers the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy in Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland. Deputy Sheriff Candidates will attend the Academy Monday through Friday for 21 weeks receiving a total of 802 hours in instruction, commencing twice a year, mid summer/winter. Deputy Sheriff Candidates will be required to stand military style inspection daily. An accumulation of demerits may lead to disciplinary and/or expulsion from the academy.
The Academy operates within a strict, disciplined, military system. Deputy Sheriff Candidates will participate in a rigorous physical and mental training program. This includes college level academic courses and physical training, such as judo, running, calestetics. Deputy Sheriff Candidates will receive practical instruction in areas including, but not limited to, use of firearms, emergency vehicle operation, criminal and motor vehicle law and officer survival techniques. Deputy Sheriff Candidates may receive up to 15 college credits for work successfully completed in the Academy.
Deputy Sheriff Field Training
After graduation from the Academy, a new Deputy Sheriff will report to the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Sheriff's authority is county wide and ranges from land, water and air. For eight (8) weeks, the new Deputy Sheriff will be supervised by a competent senior Field Training Deputy (FTD) and/or a Corporal. During this time period, the new Deputy Sheriff is afforded an opportunity to apply his or her academy training knowledge to actual police situations, serve and protect. Following satisfactory completion of the training, Deputy Sheriff will begin independent patrol activities within Queen Anne's County.
All Deputy Sheriff's serve a two year probationary period beginning with their hire date. Only after satisfactory completion of the probationary period will a Deputy Sheriff be considered a permanent employee.
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities:
Although no one is selected for immediate entry into a specialized unit, the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office offers a wide range of assignments. After graduation, field training and one year probationary period, Deputies may request if vacancies exist for reassignment to specialized units, such as the Queen Anne's County Drug Task Force, Criminal Investigation Division, K-9 Division, Community Policing , Civil Process Unit, Warrant Unit and School Resource Unit to name some choices. Deputies may also request to be considered as a member of teams that use a particular skill or talent, but are not permanent assignments, such as the S.W.A.T. team, Hostage Negotiator, Bike Patrol, R.A.A.M. (Reducing Availability of Alcohol to Minors) member. Opportunities exist to become certified as an Officer Survival Instructor, Firearms Instructor and a Maryland Police Training Commission Instructor. Deputies may request advanced training in progressive levels of accident reconstruction, Criminal Investigations, Drug/DWI Enforcement, and speed measurement, such as RADAR and LASER.
The Internship Program:
The Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office has a unique position available to young men and women who are high school students between the ages of 16 and 18 and have an interest in becoming a deputy sheriff. The main purpose of this position is to expose young men and women to the various duties and responsibilities of the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office in order to better prepare them to become deputies when they reach the age of 21. Interns are assigned to perform duties that do not require police authority. They are generally assigned to the Crime Prevention Division. Interns will be assigned to work under the supervision of a deputy. Intern applicants are required to appear before Captain Curtis Benton, Jr. for an initial interview where their basic qualifications can be verified. If the applicant meets that basic requirements, an application will be issued. This program is strictly voluntary with no compensation for time served.
Failure to meet any basic requirement will result in disqualification. Final approval and appointment to the Internship Program is made by the Sheriff of the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office or his designee.
Application
You may download the application in PDF format.
Mail applications to:
Recruitment committee
505 Railroad Avenue
Centreville, MD 21617
Phone 410-758-0770
Fax 410-758-1961
Faxed applications will not be accepted.
For more information, contact: