Lateral Deputy Sheriff

King County Sheriff's Office; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Take-home car

Education Incentive

Longevity Pay

Special Sick Leave

Uniforms/Gear

Assignment Premium

Job summary

The King County Sheriff's Office invites lateral deputy applicants to join one of the country’s largest sheriff’s departments, with patrols across unincorporated King County, contract city police departments, and transit units.

Starting pay is commensurate with experience and evaluated individually. Lateral hires receive a take-home patrol car after sworn-in and qualifying with weapon. Washington lateral hires may be eligible for a $40,000 signing bonus, with additional benefits available.

Qualifications

• Experience as a full-time commissioned police officer with at least 12 months of active patrol after completion of all academy training.
• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Job description

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 [e-mail].

KCSO Deputy Benefits

• 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

• Assignment Premium


• Longevity Pay


• Education Incentive


• Take-home car


• Uniforms/Gear


• 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 [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.