Deputy Sheriff

Deputy Law Enforcement Officer

Spotsylvania County is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace. Employees are prohibited from manufacturing, distributing, possessing or using controlled substances such as marijuana. A positive drug test result, confirmed use or impairment can be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination in accordance with our personnel policies.

A positive pre-employment drug test will also disqualify a candidate for hire.

General Statement of Job

Under general supervision, performs general law enforcement work in order to preserve public peace and order; to protect lives, property and rights of the public, and to enforce the laws of the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the County of Spotsylvania. Assures appropriate custody and control of prisoners; protects and assists the courts and serves civil process. Work involves patrolling County streets and neighborhoods to deter crime or apprehend and/or arrest violators or suspects; responds to calls for law enforcement assistance and gathers information for criminal investigations. A Deputy may be assigned to any division of the Sheriff's Office as needed. Employee is subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work.

This position is essential. Personnel occupying this position may be scheduled to work irrespective of weather conditions and/or when general county offices are closed. Applicants must be available to work Sunday through Saturday as needed.

Salary is commensurate on knowledge, skills, abilities and years of experience based on the Public Safety Step Pay Scale.

Special Duties & Responsibilities

• Reduces the commission of crimes and maintains law enforcement by patrolling throughout the County. Patrols County streets and neighborhood. Inspects troublesome areas and checks security of business establishments.
• Monitors radio calls; communicates with radio dispatcher and responds to complaints, reports of criminal events, requests for law enforcement, and domestic or public disputes. Apprehends and or arrests persons who violate federal, State or County codes and laws
• Gathers information in criminal investigations by interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects; performs searches of people, vehicles and buildings; prepares investigative reports of findings, facts and related information; makes arrests and processes arrested suspects. Detects and collects evidence and substances that provide the basis for probable cause for criminal acts; and testifies in court.
• Enforces traffic laws and regulations. Detects traffic violators; performs traffic accident investigations and makes reports. Facilitates the movement of traffic and pedestrians around accidents, disabled traffic control devices or heavily congested areas. Assists disabled motorists. Directs traffic for funerals and other public gatherings.
• Serves civil and criminal documents.
• Serves as court Bailiff as requested and ensures security and orderly behavior in courts.
• Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergency scenes and disaster areas.
• Assists persons who are in physical or mental danger.
• Reads, comprehends, and interprets legal and non-legal documents.
• Completes and/or reviews paperwork documenting shift activities, offenses and incidents, victim and suspect statements and other related information.
• Assists other law enforcement personnel and agencies.
• Engages in public relations and community service activities and events to promote a positive image for the Sheriff's Office and to build cooperative and collaborative relationships with the community.
• Responds to questions from the public with regard to all issues concerning public safety and correct procedures and processes.
• Maintains assigned vehicle and issued equipment including firearms.
• Transports prisoners and mental patients.
• Participates in special public information programs as needed.
• Serves as School Resource Officer as needed (work at the discretion of the Sheriff)
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Training & Experience

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Must be 21 years or older of age.

Must pass the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Basic Law Enforcement Certification test as administered through an accredited police academy.

Must possess and maintain a valid Virginia driver's license.

Special Requirements

After successfully completing a DCJS academy:

• Knowledge of modern law enforcement practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of local, State and federal laws relative to civil and criminal processes. Has considerable knowledge of the locations of streets, roads, highways and the geographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the County.
• Knowledge of the content and purpose of legal papers and the practices involved in serving them.
• Skill in the use of firearms and other law enforcement equipment.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency and routine situations and to adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action.
• Ability to apply interpretation of laws to specific situations.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Ability to present court testimony effectively.
• Ability to exercise tact and firmness in contact with the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments and/or directions to subordinates or assistants.
• Ability to read Department policies and operating procedures; State and County Codes and laws; manuals; reports, records and memorandums.
• Ability to prepare accident and incident reports, vehicle maintenance requests, warrants, parking tickets, general correspondence, offense report forms, etc., using prescribed formats
• Ability to apply rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently using law enforcement terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and professionally. Must be adaptable to performing under considerable stress when responding to reports of criminal activity, public disputes, and emergency situations.