Deputy Sheriff Trainee - BLET Cadet January 2027

Forsyth County • Winston-Salem, NC

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office is seeking committed and dedicated individuals interested in a rewarding career in law enforcement to join our team! Selected candidates will be hired as Deputy Sheriff Trainees and attend Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) as Forsyth County Sheriff's Office employees. This is a competitive selection process with limited spots available. The candidate selection process requires successful completion of a reading comprehension assessment and the North Carolina Police Officer’s Physical Abilities Test (POPAT) to be held at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and will include a thorough background check establishing North Carolina law enforcement certification eligibility. Candidates selected for hire will be compensated at a reduced "trainee" rate of pay until they successfully complete BLET. At that time, additional incentives offered for completed higher education, relevant certified work experience, and active-duty military service will be applied. All new hires will be required to sign a contingency agreement before attending BLET. Submissions for consideration will be for the Spring BLET Class starting in January 2027, and would require candidate availability for hire in December 2026.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or GED (high school equivalent) and completion of NC Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET).
• Must meet standards set by the North Carolina Sheriff's Standards and Training Division.
• All applicants must successfully pass a rigorous background process that includes but is not limited to, a criminal records check, polygraph exam, psychological/medical screening, pre-employment physical fitness testing, and standardized reading comprehension test.
• Must possess a valid NC driver's license.

Nice To Haves

• Additional incentives offered for completed higher education, relevant certified work experience, and active-duty military service will be applied after successful completion of BLET.

Responsibilities

• Patrols an assigned area of the County, answers complaints and requests for assistance, investigates crimes and disturbances, interviews witnesses, questions suspects, gathers and preserves evidence, makes arrests, and testifies in court.
• Serves various types of civil papers; explains briefly the meaning of papers being served; conducts the sale of personal and real property at public auction; ensures the proper amount of money is collected.
• Maintain safety and security for students, staff, and administration to ensure the learning environment within the school system.
• Opens and closes courts at designated times; maintains order in the courtroom; assists defendants in completing affidavits; swears defendants in; seats jury in place when selected; escorts trial jury to jury room when directed by a judge; assists and escorts grand jury.
• Prepares papers for and assists in the transportation of prisoners; escorts prisoners to court and maintains custody there; escorts defendants to clerk's office to pay fines; prepares the necessary papers for defendants ordered into custody by the courts, obtains release orders, searches prisoners and logs property, records arrests.
• Cooperates with law enforcement personnel of other governmental agencies in making investigations and arrests.
• Transports prisoners, mental patients, and intoxicated persons to institutions for confinement or treatment; provides transportation in certain emergencies.
• Provides protective escort; maintains order at public gatherings.
• May operate speed detection devices or breath analyzers.
• Prepares and maintains daily reports concerning criminal activity; prepares related reports as requested.
• Assists in preparing crime prevention programs; develops contacts among local community organizations and businesses; and conducts seminars.
• Performs related work as needed.

Benefits

• Reduced "trainee" rate of pay until successful completion of BLET
• Additional incentives offered for completed higher education, relevant certified work experience, and active-duty military service will be applied after successful completion of BLET.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED