Washington State Certified Lateral Deputy Sheriff

Thurston CountyOlympia, WA
$7,212 - $9,204Onsite

About The Position

This position involves patrolling a designated area of the county to deter crime, conduct on-the-scene investigations, aid those in trouble, and provide public services. Responsibilities include enforcing traffic and parking ordinances, investigating accidents, issuing citations, serving warrants, and making arrests. The role also entails executing writs, responding to crime reports, gathering evidence, and completing detailed incident and arrest reports. Additionally, duties may include jail operations, inmate care and custody, court and hospital guard duty, and prisoner transport. Investigators will conduct thorough investigations of reported crimes, interview victims and witnesses, locate and arrest suspects, arrange for identification, gather evidence, and prepare comprehensive case files. The position may involve developing street contacts for information, maintaining contact with parolees and suspects, performing undercover work, and checking for stolen property. Court testimony is required. Specialized duties may be assigned based on individual background and departmental needs. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

  • High School Diploma or GED
  • U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient with no felony convictions or series of offenses of a minor nature which would lend themselves to establish a pattern of criminal behavior, nor any criminal instances concerning moral turpitude
  • Minimum age of 21 years at time of appointment
  • Must hold or obtain a valid Washington State Driver's License
  • Ability to read, write and speak the English language as required by RCW 41.14.100
  • Must have a valid Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Academy Certificate, a valid Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement equivalency certificate, or a valid law enforcement certification from a recognized and accredited Washington State academy and have the ability to obtain an equivalency certification within the first twelve (12) months of employment by meeting the standards of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
  • Have successfully completed the testing process and been hired by another jurisdiction from a civil service commission certified eligibility list or other like process.
  • Have at least 12-months continuous work experience and successfully completed any probationary period as a full-time, paid, peace officer with law enforcement authority.
  • From the most recent law enforcement agency, the applicant must have no more than a 12-month break in service.
  • Pass an oral board to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  • Must meet Thurston County Civil Service Pre-Employment Screening Standards.
  • Must meet the Sheriff's Office Employment Standards.
  • Must pass a background investigation by the Sheriff's Office, as well as a medical and psychological examination, and polygraph test.

Nice To Haves

  • Laterals can apply for any open specialty assignments once 4-week field training is complete
  • Laterals with planned vacation leave at their current agency will be honored within current CBA limits

Responsibilities

  • Patrols a designated area of the county in a patrol car and/or on foot to deter and discover crime, do on-the-scene investigations at crime scenes, aid persons in trouble and render other public services as needed.
  • Patrols a designated area of the county in a patrol car, boat, or on a motorcycle to enforce traffic and parking ordinances and investigate accidents; operates a radar unit to discover speed violations; routinely checks vehicle identification against current list of stolen vehicles and identification of violator drivers against list of outstanding arrest warrants.
  • Issues citations to violators of state laws and county ordinances; serves warrants of arrest; arrests persons on misdemeanors and felony charges; handcuffs and searches arrested persons and secures their custody; completes necessary reports concerning alleged crimes, circumstances of arrest, and available evidence and witnesses.
  • Executes on writs of attachment, writs of restitution, and writs of execution.
  • Responds to reports of possible crime and takes action as the situation requires to secure the scene; interviews victims and witnesses, gathers evidence and arrests suspects; completes incident and arrest reports; investigates persons suspected of being engaged in crime, ascertains and secures evidence pertaining to alleged crime, and arrests suspects for probable cause.
  • Reports to scenes of accidents; administers emergency first aid and summons aid cars in other patrol units for assistance in treating the injured and controlling the scene; interviews principals and witnesses, makes general drawings of accident scenes noting details, and completes a standard accident report; issues citations or makes arrests as the situation warrants.
  • Investigates and assists drivers in stalled vehicles and pedestrians who appear to be hurt or in trouble; interviews persons with complaints or inquiries, gives information on laws and ordinances, and attempts to resolve the problem or to direct them to proper authorities.
  • When assigned to the jail, has responsibility for the care and custody of inmates incarcerated therein and maintains security of the jail as prescribed by standard operating procedures; performs guard duty at hospitals and in court; transfers prisoners to and from jails and courts.
  • Does thorough investigations of reported crimes appropriate to their assignments; interviews victims and witnesses; locates, arrests, and interviews suspects; arranges line-up for victim and witness identification; gathers evidence and conducts necessary searches; prepares case file detailing all aspects of an investigation and presents it through the chain of command to a prosecuting attorney.
  • Develops street contacts to obtain information about crimes; maintains contact with paroled criminals and suspects at large; does undercover and decoy work; and checks known and possible stolen property outlets, such as pawn shops and junkyards.
  • Testifies in court.
  • May perform specialized duties depending on individual officer's background and ability and the needs of the department.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

  • 40 hours of vacation leave upon hire
  • 40 hours of sick leave upon hire
  • Eligible for benefits
  • Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
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