Once you begin the background investigation, it generally takes 2-3 months before you know whether or not you will be offered a job. The background investigation begins when a candidate completes and returns the KCSO form titled Personal History Questionnaire Supplemental.

No. Our hiring process deliberately requires about six in-person appointments.

There is some consolidation of those appointments for out-of-state candidates, so that the process  requires only 3 trips (written/physical test, oral board & post-conditional offer appointments). If you are hired as a lateral-entry deputy, the KCSO will reimburse travel expenses.

Yes it does. Once you are hired, you will need to work with our Human Resources personnel to complete the necessary paperwork.

No. Our retirement system is LEOFF 2. Unless you have prior law enforcement experience in this state before entering the military, there is no provision for buying into the system. It is possible to buy back service credits once you are in the LEOFF system.

For additional questions on retirement, visit www.drs.wa.gov.

No. Generally the on-campus housing at the academy is reserved for agencies located more than 50 miles outside the county. King County deputies attending the academy are responsible for commuting. If this will create a tremendous hardship, you may consider going in on an apartment with a couple of your classmates.

Yes. During the academy you will get to rank your precinct preferences 1-3. KCSO makes every effort to keep new deputies closer to home for FTO, however we do reserve the right to make precinct assignments based on our staffing needs at the time. Once you successfully complete probation, you may put in a transfer request to any other precinct.

The SWAT Unit generally requires a minimum of four years experience with the Sheriff’s Office. This is true of the other specialty units as well. Most detective units require between 3 and 5 years experience. Other units like Traffic, city policing, Metro, and SRO simply require that you have successfully completed probation. For laterals, once they complete probation, their lateral time applies to most of the requirements for specialty units.

Ride alongs are scheduled for candidates once they have successfully completed the Oral Board. At that time, candidates also will be given the opportunity to participate in the KCSO Mentoring Program.