Lateral Deputy Sheriff

King County; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Take-home car

Comp time accrual

LEOFF retirement

Uniforms/Gear

Education incentive

Take-home car

Special Sick Leave

Job summary

King County Sheriff’s Office is seeking experienced lateral deputies to join the patrol division. This civil service position offers a clear pathway from academy completion to ongoing field duties and community policing responsibilities.

Open to the public with continuous recruitment, the role includes 24/7 coverage, rotating day; swing; and graveyard shifts, and a comprehensive benefits package including premiums paid for medical, dental, and vision for the employee and dependents.

Qualifications

• Experience as a full‑time commissioned police officer with at least 12 months of active patrol after academy training.
• Successful completion of probation as a commissioned officer.
• Out‑of‑state applicants may require 80‑hour equivalency academy.

Responsibilities

• Patrol a designated area of the county and render public safety services as needed.
• Respond to calls, secure scenes, interview victims and witnesses, gather evidence, and complete incident reports.
• Investigate disputes, maltreatment reports, and related cases; take principals into custody or refer as needed.
• Complete administrative tasks with accuracy and on time; testify in court with proper chain-of-custody.
• Participate in community policing and related operations; schedule rotates with days on/off.

Job description

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 [e-mail].

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 HR Analyst, at [e-mail] 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.

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.

More information about employee benefits is available on the county's website at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/employees/benefits/YourKingCountyBenefits.aspx

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.