FAQ

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There are around 100 questions covering reading, writing, and logical reasoning on the written examination.

You will need to have excellent reading and writing skills, such as spelling, English comprehension, grammar and vocabulary.

We recommend you read articles, magazines, publications, and books and then quiz yourself later on in the day on items you read.

Practice writing without the use of spell-check software or electronic devices.

There are several resources online to help people improve these skills.

The physical agility test is purposely designed to see how your body reacts and performs when completing high-intensity, short-duration skills and movements.

While lifting weights is excellent for building strength and toning a person’s physique, it does little to help you prepare your joints, muscles, and tendons for the physical agility test in terms of different movements and cardiovascular demands.

Any type of functional fitness workout, such as a bootcamp, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), or CrossFit-style workout routine would be excellent to use in your preparation for the physical agility test. You should also be able to run a few miles in a reasonable amount of time

There are several resources online to help people improve these skills.

As a deputy sheriff, it is imperative that you be able to quickly and accurately recall information you see, hear or read.

During the exam, you may be shown a picture or series of pictures to study for a period of time. You will then continue a different portion of the exam. After a period of time, questions about what you saw in the photo or photos will be asked, to see if you retained the information.

Everything we do in law enforcement is documented. This documentation is then viewed by other deputies, supervisors, attorneys, judges, and all parties to a crime and can be released to the public.

Your credibility and the department’s professionalism is on view for the world to see. Although it may seem small, when people find errors in your written documentation, they may wonder what errors were made in the arrest of a subject or an investigation.

Part of the hiring process is the constant evaluation of applicants. From the day you pick up or turn in any paperwork, to your physical agility, to various testing appointments, you will be observed.

You should practice good hygiene, such as having clean fingernails. Your hair should be neat and professional in appearance.

Clean, professional business attire should be considered any time you make an appearance. Obviously, this isn’t the case for the physical agility, where you should be wearing appropriate training clothing.

For the oral interview, you should wear a properly tailored suit with shined shoes. Don’t wear outlandish ties or colors, or have any lapel pins or jewelry on which would cause a distraction.

Traffic tickets themselves do not necessarily pose a problem in the hiring process; however, repetitious receiving of traffic tickets can have an impact on your processing.

A lot of applicants are disqualified for lying or for integrity issues. Tell the truth no matter how embarrassed you are about your past mistakes. Remember, all applicants are administered a polygraph examination during the hiring process!

Most of the progressive agencies in California place a high value on a college education. An AA is a good start, but you should always consider higher education. The choice of a major is not nearly as important as the college experience itself.

Make an ongoing effort to learn about law enforcement. Most agencies have part-time positions. They may be cadets, community service deputies, sheriff aides, public safety aides, etc. All provide exposure to the law enforcement environment. Agencies also have volunteer programs that can provide similar exposure and may also lead to employment opportunities.

We will view your online activities, as this is a good way for us to see how you conduct yourself in life.

We want to know answers to questions like: Are you hostile or confrontational with people expressing different opinions? Do you bully people online? Who are your friends or followers? What do you like to do or not like to do?

In today’s climate, social media can reveal a great deal about a person. If you exercise good judgment, display a positive attitude, and behave in a manner desired of a member of the law enforcement community, your social media activities will be viewed favorably.

Having good credit is a good indicator of who you are as a person, in terms of meeting obligations, making wise decisions, maturity, and adhering to deadlines.

We also understand things happen in a person’s life, such as a divorce or catastrophic event, which may negatively impact your credit. We take this into consideration when reviewing your credit information.

Each applicant is evaluated individually on a case-by-case basis.

1. Dishonesty – Either omitting or failing to disclose anything on paperwork or verbally will always cause a disqualification.
2. Attention to Detail – Not fully completing paperwork or caring about personal appearance.
3. Not Meeting Obligations – Arriving late or forgetting appointments.
4. Lack of Soft Skills – Unable to shake hands, make eye contact, or finish a sentence.

During the interview, we’re going to ask questions about you as a person, as well as questions pertaining to why you want to work for us and the skills you possess.

We’re also going to see how well you have prepared and your specific desire to work at the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. What do you know about our department? Who is our leadership team? What’s the population, square mileage, and ethnicity of our county?

The interview panel will also be looking at your attire, your hygiene, and how you handle yourself in the interview. Are you confident or reserved? Are you arrogant or militant? Can you speak confidently, or are you scared and intimidated?

We need applicants who believe in themselves. Be assertive, self-confident, outgoing, compassionate and learn to communicate well with a wide variety of people.

Realize that any poor choices you make, especially as an adult, could jeopardize a future law enforcement career. While perfection is not expected or required, drug use, theft, dishonesty, and poor judgment end many careers before they get started. Don’t let your friends or co-workers pressure you into compromising your values or integrity. Remember, integrity is “What you do when nobody is looking!”