Make A Difference
Law Enforcement Positions
The Job
The Process
Paid To Train
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Positions
Deputy Sheriff Patrol
Court Security Deputy
School Resource Officer
Deputy Sheriff Reserve
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A DEPUTY?
Position
These are the men and women who are the first to respond to your call for help. They are almost always the first to arrive on a scene and give aid and comfort to the injured. They often put themselves in harm’s way every day they are on the job to stabilize a violent domestic call or when they search a dark building for a dangerous suspect.
They pull victims out of burning buildings or give the first life-saving breaths of CPR to the child they have just pulled out of a backyard swimming pool. They serve and protect the citizens of Orange County and they do it with little recognition or fanfare.
They take it all in and see what they do as simply part of their jobs. Deputy Sheriffs are responsible for the protection of life and property and the enforcement of laws and regulations. This work involves an element of personal danger and frequent contact with the public during routine and emergency situations.
Minimum Qualifications
- Good work history
- Accredited high school or GED diploma
- Must be able to comprehend and communicate fluently in verbal and written English
- At least 20 years of age
- U.S. Citizen
- Valid driver’s license for the last year
- Must not have been convicted of a felony
- Must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral character, false statements, perjury or domestic violence
- Must not have received a dishonorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces
- No illegal drug usage within the last year. Other drug usage will be evaluated on a case by case basis
- Must be in good physical condition
Physical Demands
- Cardiovascular strength and stamina including the ability to chase subjects on foot through various terrains (i.e. up/down stairs, around buildings, on city streets, through or in between natural barriers such as water, trees, bushes, etc., or a combination of these, etc.)
- Must be able to engage in violent and physical confrontations including physical fighting with subjects and/or re-directing them to the ground.
- Must be able to physically secure a resisting subject with the appropriate restraints after a physical confrontation.
- Visual depth, distance, and color perception, night and peripheral vision.
- Must be able to meet the agency’s hearing standard established by the agency’s Occupational Medical Physicians.
- Must meet visual requirements of at least correctable to 20/40 in each eye.
- Must be able to use both hands simultaneously and have manual and finger dexterity.
- Flexibility of upper body and limbs and ability to reach with hands and arms.
- Strength in upper and lower body, legs, back, arms, and hands.
- Must be able to wear a utility equipment belt capable of carrying multiple pieces of required equipment for extended periods of time (on average, weighing approximately 20 pounds).
- Coordination in legs, arms, hands, eye-hand; steadiness of hand/arm.
- Physical speed; quick reflexes; balance/equilibrium; able to stand for long periods of time.
- Ability to run, jump, climb, walk, sit, bend/lean over, twist/turn, and maneuver into and out of small spaces and vehicles. Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.
- Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and appropriately.
- Ability to coordinate rhythm of compression and breaths during CPR.
- Ability to accept acute pain
We Hire Veterans And Their Spouses
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) actively recruits and welcomes military veterans, spouses of veterans and personnel currently serving in the armed forces. In fact, OCSO has been recognized by VETS Indexes and has received the first annual 2021 VETS Indexes Placeholder “4 Star Employer” award. Furthermore, Military Times Best for Vets have ranked OCSO #3 out of the top 200 companies in America for hiring veterans and supporting our National Guardsman and Military Reservists.
Military veterans sponsored to go to our law enforcement academy get paid ($24.50/hour) while attending the academy and receive OCSO benefits. This is in addition to receiving their veteran Military Housing Allowance, if they have the GI Bill®. *Veterans must have an active GI Bill to receive the Military Housing Allowance from their GI Bill.
After attending the 20 week academy, graduates then undergo 4 weeks of Basic Recruit Training (BRT). Once completed, all deputy trainees enter Field Training Officer (FTO) training for 14 weeks. Once FTO begins, veterans that were active duty or coming from the National Guard or Military Reserves are again eligible to receive their Military Housing Allowance every month, for one year! This is because OCSO is recognized by the Veterans’ Administration as an On the Job Training (OJT) Site! *Veterans must have an active GI Bill to receive the Military Housing Allowance from their GI Bill.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Financial Compensation
- Deputies start out making $55,140 a year working only 15 days a month.
- $57,096 with 4 years of experience.
- Off duty assignments are currently paying $45 (min) to $70 an hour.
Additional Benefits
If you are National Guardsman or Military Reservist, we have many benefits to help you serve our nation, including but not limited to:
- 240 hours of paid training time while you drill.
- Differential Pay if you are activated or deployed.
- OCSO effectively works around your National Guard or Military Reserve Training schedule.
Our Military Field Recruiter is available to assist you with the hiring process. Contact Rick DeMarco at 407-448-6804 or by email at Richard.DeMarco@ocsofl.com
Paid to Train
Recruits with no prior experience can apply to be sponsored. Meaning we will cover the cost of the academy and you earn earn $24.50 per hour while enrolled. Healthcare and other benefits of employment commence immediately upon hire. After academy graduation, newly certified deputies receive their raise to the starting deputy sheriff pay of $26.51 per hour ($55,140 annually) and, if eligible, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office will facilitate the process for the new deputy to receive the State of Florida’s $5,000 Recruitment Bonus.
The Application Process
Background Check
A team of expert Background Investigators delves thoroughly into candidates who are selected to process in order to guarantee the quality expected by our agency. Detectives talk to neighbors, research job histories, visit employers, and carefully review all areas of each person’s past. Out of 313 background investigations, 130 deputies and 71 civilian employees were hired. Ultimately, only about 3% of the candidate pool is selected for hire, truly ensuring we hire only the best of the BEST!
Testing and Appointments
- Physical Abilities Test (PAT) – View Details of Fitness Standards
- Voice Stress Analysis (truth verification)
- Ride-along with a deputy (optional)
- Complete Background Check
- Medical exam & drug screen (after conditional job offer)
- Psychological Evaluation (after conditional job offer)
The Academy
Academy graduates are sworn-in as deputy sheriffs and begin Basic Recruit Training (BRT). This extensive 9-week program covers all high liability areas, including driving, shooting, defensive tactics, and agency policies and procedures. After successfully completing Basic Recruit Training, new deputies will complete an additional 14 weeks in the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP). This one-on-one training with a certified Field Training Officer ensures that all new deputies are fully prepared to be a solo deputy.
Salary and Pay Range
| Item | First Year Deputy | Maxed Out Deputy |
| Base Salary | $62,566 | $100,089 |
| Shoe Allowance | $125 | $125 |
| Shift Differential (Midnights) | $2,600 | $2,600 |
| Education Incentive (with 4-Year Degree) | $960 | $960 |
| Longevity | $2,600 | |
| Master Deputy Pay | $1,300 | |
| Total | $66,251 | $107,674 |
| 5 years | 500.00 | 22 years | 4,095.00 |
| 10 years | 1,341.60 | 24 years | 4,680.00 |
| 12 years | 1,591.20 | 26 years | 5,265.00 |
| 14 years | 1,840.80 | 28 years | 5,850.00 |
| 16 years | 2,600.00 | 30 years | 6,435.00 |
| 18 years | 2,925.00 | 32 years | 7,020.00 |
| 20 years | 3,510.00 | 34 years + | 7,605.00 |
| Personal Leave | |
|---|---|
| 0 – 4 years | 191.88 hours per year |
| 5 – 10 years | 215.80 hours per year |
| 11 – 15 years | 255.84 hours per year |
| >16 years | 295.90 hours per year |
Holidays
Eleven paid holidays in addition to two floating holidays
Benefits Start on Day One
Benefits Start on Day One
- Possibility of two $5,000 Recruitment Bonus for those who qualify – Totaling to $10,000
- Sheriff contributes majority of cost for medical coverage
- Life insurance and long term disability insurance is provided by Sheriff; employees may elect to purchase additional coverage
- Retirement after 25 years (FRS)
- Uniforms and other equipment furnished
- Education incentive and reimbursement programs
- 12 vacation days per year/accrues at 3.69 hours bi-weekly
- Sick time accrues at 3.69 hours bi-weekly
- 13 paid holidays per year
- Gym facilities in many agency buildings
It's more than a career
It's Making a Difference
