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FAQ’s

Home FAQ’s

How do I apply for a position with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office?

Employment opportunities CLICK HERE

What are the requirements for Deputy Recruit?

Deputy Recruit is an entry-level position.  All applicants must be 21 years old at the time of the academy graduation or at least 20 years and 9 months at the time of application.  Must be a U.S. citizen and possess a high school diploma or G.E.D.  Applicant must possess a valid Arizona driver’s license.  All applicants must pass a written examination, a physical agility examination, oral board examination, background investigation, polygraph examination, physical examination, drug and alcohol screening, and a psychological examination.

What are the requirements for an in-state Lateral Deputy Sheriff applicant?

Must currently be AZ POST Certified (Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training), currently employed by an Arizona law enforcement agency, and have completed the normal probationary period of his/her current employer. Documentation will be required. Must possess a valid Arizona Driver’s License. All qualified candidates must successfully pass an oral board interview, background investigation, polygraph examination, physical examination, drug and alcohol screening, and psychological examination.

What are the requirements for an out-of-state applicant wanting to apply for Deputy Sheriff?

High School Diploma or G.E.D.; must be a minimum age of twenty-one (21), a United States citizen. Must be AZ POST Certified (Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training). Must possess a valid Arizona Driver’s License. All candidates passing the written examination, must also successfully pass a physical agility examination, oral board examination, background investigation, polygraph examination, physical examination, drug and alcohol screening, and psychological examination.

Out-of-state applicants will need to follow AZ Post rules.  Out-of-state applicants will need to create an account and complete the AZ Post Personal History form located at https://my.azpost.gov .

Are there automatic disqualifiers?

The following can result in disqualification from the process, but are not limited to:

Drug Use:

  • Marijuana – Illegally possessed or used marijuana, including THC extracts, cannabis, hashish, marijuana extracts, and marijuana edibles any time in the past two (2) years for Deputy Sheriff applicants. Detention Officer I applicants must not have illegally possessed or used marijuana, including THC extracts, cannabis, hashish, marijuana extracts, and marijuana edibles any time in the past (6) months.  For all other positions, applicants will be held to a Drug-Free Workplace and will be on a case-by-case basis in reference to marijuana, THC extracts, cannabis, hashish, marijuana extracts, and marijuana edibles.
  • Steroids – Illegally possessed or used; to include anabolic-androgenic steroids and corticosteroids, any time in the past three (3) years.
  • Adderall – Illegally possessed or used Adderall; except prescribed by a physician, in the past three (3) years.
  • Dangerous Drugs – including methamphetamine, amphetamine, barbiturates, speed, spice, and bath salts. Narcotics – including crack, cocaine, heroin, and opioids. Hallucinogens – peyote, mushrooms, ecstasy, LSD, ketamine, mescaline, salvia, PCP. Prescription Drugs (containing an ingredient that is a narcotic). Any illegal possession or use within the past seven (7) years, no more than five (5) times for all combined substances and shall not have used more than one (1) time since age 21.
  • Sale, Production, Cultivation, or Transportation for Sale of illegal drugs at any time.
  • Any sale, production, cultivation, or transportation for sale of any Dangerous Drug, Narcotic, Hallucinogen, or Prescription Drug at any time.
  • Any pattern of abuse of prescription drugs.

Theft or Misappropriation of Property:

  • Any demonstrated pattern of habitual theft.
  • Any theft while serving in a position of trust.

Acts Constituting a Felony or any Conviction for Domestic Violence Involving Physical Violence:

  • A conviction/deferred prosecution for any act which would constitute a Felony/Misdemeanor in the State of Arizona, at any time.

Fraud or Misrepresentation:

  • Any intentional attempt to practice any deception or fraud in the Employment Application, Background Questionnaire, Testing Process, or any failure to properly complete the application.

Driving Record:

  • Any recently demonstrated pattern of excessive traffic violations. (for positions that require the operation of a motor vehicle).

Applicants should be advised that:

  • The applicant will not receive nor are entitled to a copy of the contents of their test results.
  • No documents, or copies of reports submitted by the applicant will be returned.
  • No documents, reports, or information utilized for, or obtained, during the selection process will be furnished to the applicant.
  • The applicant will not be advised of the reason(s) for non-selection or disqualification.

What are the requirements for the physical assessment exam?

Deputy Sheriff’s physical assessment exam consists of:

  • 29 or more sit-ups in (1) minute
  • 27 or more push-ups in (1) minute
  • 5 mile run in 15:24 minutes or better

Detention Officer’s physical assessment exam consists of:

  • 15 or more sit-ups in (1) minute
  • 15 or more push-ups in (1) minute
  • Half-mile run in 5:00 minutes or better

The Animal Control Officer’s physical assessment exam consists of:

  • (1) 100-pound lift waist high
  • 21 or more sit-ups in (1) minute
  • 12 or more push-ups in (1) minute
  • 440 yard run in 2:56 minutes or better

** Many applicants have a misconception that the physical assessment exam is easy. What many applicants fail to acknowledge is that each event must be completed in random succession with little time to rest. If you are not in good shape, you will not have the stamina or strength to complete each event successfully.

What happens if I fail the written or the physical assessment exam?

If you fail the written exam or any portion of the physical exam, you will be able to come to the next testing date to complete testing again.

I only want to be in a specialty position assignment (i.e. Detective, SWAT, K9, etc).  Do I have to be a patrol officer first?

All deputies initially enter patrol. Deputies who wish to test for any of our specialty assignments must meet the minimum standards for the specific assignment as posted in the specific announcements. Time requirements may vary depending on the specialty assignment.

How long does the hiring process take?

The average length of time to process a successful applicant is 30-60 days.  However, the hiring process time can vary depending on the number of applicants in the hiring process.

Does the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office offer transition assistance?

We do not offer transition assistance.

I am in the military.  Should I apply now? I am in college.  Should I apply now?

An applicant should keep in mind that they must be available for all portions of the testing process.  We may be able to make some accommodations on a case-by-case basis.

If I have a background investigation done with another agency, or have a top-secret clearance in the military, will Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office still do a background check?

Yes. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office will conduct their own thorough background investigation on every applicant who submits a Personal History Questionnaire through Guardian Alliance Software and has signed all agency background waivers.