Lateral Deputy Sheriff

About the role

With a commissioned staff of more than 770, we are among the largest sheriff's departments in the country. Our deputies have opportunities to serve in many different communities, including unincorporated King County, numerous contract city police departments, transit police agencies, and so many more.

We serve unincorporated King County and operate numerous city police departments plus transit police units. We offer dozens of unique assignments that range from school or community-based positions to drug enforcement and bomb disposal.

As a lateral hire, your take-home patrol car is issued to you soon after being sworn-in and qualifying with your weapon. Starting pay is commensurate with experience and evaluated individually.

Lateral Hiring Incentives

• All laterals hired as a KCSO deputy on 09/11/25 or after are eligible to receive 40 hours of vacation and 40 hours of sick time credited to their leave banks on their first day of employment.
• Washington State Laterals hired as a KCSO deputy on 9/11/25 or after may be eligible to receive a signing bonus of $40,000.
• $25,000 for lateral candidates; receive $10,000 on your first paycheck and $15,000 when you pass probation, with a three (3) year commitment. Any questions regarding the hiring incentive please reach out KCSO recruiters at.

KCSO Deputy Benefits includes

• 100% employer paid premiums for medical, dental and vision for you and your dependents.
• Take-home car upon swearing in and qualifying with your weapon.
• Liberal accrual of compensation time
• For more information about medical benefits go to the Deputy Sheriff Benefits Group Benefits summaries - King County
• Additional Benefits Include: Assignment Premium, Longevity Pay, Education Incentive, Take-home car, Uniforms/Gear and Special Sick Leave.

WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to the public.

• The Lateral Deputy is a civil service classified position.
• The recruitment and hiring process will be administered in accordance with King County Civil Service Rules.
• You can access these rules at Civil Service Rules.

• For more information about application requirements go to civil-service-application-requirements.pdf
• For more information about King County Service please visit our King County Civil Service website.

• All deputies begin their career on patrol (no jail service required).
• Our deputies gain a strong sense of ownership in their communities by interacting with the residents, business owners, and visitors in the area.
• Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Patrol a designated area of the county, assisting persons in trouble and rendering other public safety services as needed.
• Respond to calls of service and act as the situation requires, such as securing the scene, interviewing victims and witnesses, securing and gathering evidence, completing incident and arrest reports, investigating persons suspected of being engaged in crime.
• Investigate family disputes, reports of maltreatment of children, and complaints about persons with social or behavioral problems. Required action includes taking principals into custody or referring them to appropriate agencies, such as juvenile and medical authorities.
• Complete administrative tasks, such as report writing, on time and with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Testify in court including presenting facts and observations accurately and objectively and attesting to chain-of-custody in evidence handling.
• Participate in community policing activities and serve as a resource to the community.
• Perform related work as required, including assignments in administrative, investigative, and special operations units.
• Work schedule: 24/7 position, shift of day, swing, or graveyard are determined on need and assigned location. Schedule is dependent upon assignment. Patrol assignments are typically rotating ten-hour shifts on a “four days on, three days off, four days on, four days off” schedule.
• This position is an open and continuous recruitment.

Requirements for All Lateral Applicants

• Experience as a full-time commissioned police officer with at least 12 months of active patrol after completion of all academy training. Time training on active patrol (PTO/FTO or similar) will count towards the 12 months of active patrol requirement.
• Successful completion of probation as a commissioned officer with a city, county or state police or sheriff's department.
• Federal Law Enforcement experience may qualify, pending a review from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center (CJTC). Please reach out to Marc Alvarado, Civil Service Sr. HR Analyst, at for next steps in the process.
• Less than a two-year break in service from a former police officer position.
• Academy training that meets or exceeds the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center's standards (720 hours).
• Out-of-state applicants will be required to complete an 80-hour equivalency academy.
• Verification that you do not meet any of the Sheriff’s Office Automatic Disqualifying Behaviors.

Application and Testing Process

• Direct apply– Click on the "Apply" link towards the top of this job announcement on the right. A complete application is required for processing.
• Do not type "see resume".
• Review the Sheriff's Office Automatic Disqualifiers
• Answer all supplemental questions.

Additional information

2. Application Review – Applications will be screened for accuracy and completeness to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications to be considered as a lateral candidate. Civil Service reviews applications every week and will contact you within 5 to 7 business days of receiving your application.

3. Oral Board Exam – Qualified candidates will be invited to self-schedule for an oral board examination. This is a formal interview with of a panel of King County deputies, detectives, and/or sergeants. The panel will evaluate you on the following criteria: communication skills, background, skill in serving diverse communities, experience, integrity, motivation, interpersonal skills, and problem solving.

4. Civil Service Eligibility List – Candidates who pass the oral board examination will advance to the background investigation phase of the process. Candidates must successfully complete all steps of the background process to be eligible for hire. The final score is based on your oral board interview and, if applicable, one of the approved preference points (see below). Ranking on this list determines the order in which background investigations are conducted.

Preference Points

• Veteran's Preference: a valid copy of your DD214 must be provided prior to or at the time of your oral board appointment to be valid. To learn more, review RCW 41.04.010

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION– Upon successful completion of the Oral Board Interview candidates will.

• Receive a background packet that must be completed within two weeks.
• Once the background packet is submitted it will be assigned to detective for the investigation process.
• The background investigation process takes approximately six (6) weeks to complete for qualified lateral candidates.

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Marc Alvarado at.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve.

Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

Benefits

The King County Sheriff's Office offers competitive wages and a generous benefits package that includes fully paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents. We also provide fully paid premiums for basic life insurance, a generous vacation and sick leave program, and membership in Washington State's LEOFF retirement plan.