Durham County Government - DCSO Application FAQs

· Must meet all the applicable standards and qualify for State Detention Officer certification in accordance with the North Carolina?s Training & Standards Commission, as well as the policies of the Office of the Sheriff of Durham County.

· Must have a valid North Carolina Drivers? License in good standing.

What is the process for employment for Detention Officer? Back to top

· Successfully complete the Detention Officers? Physical Abilities Test (DOPAT)

· Take the Correctional Officer Exam

· Background Investigation

· Review Board Interview

· Final Selection

For more information see the Detention Officer Information

What is the DOPAT? Back to top

The DOPAT is the Detention Officers Physical Agility Test. It is utilized during the hiring process to help determine if an applicant is in sufficient physical shape to complete the daily job requirements.

The DOPAT consist of the following steps.

1. Applicant is given a floor and location before beginning.

2. Advance on foot, up the staircase, touching each step to the second floor.

3. Open the door; advance 66 ft. to the open slider doors.

4. Simulate opening and closing the slider doors.

5. Return up the hall 16 ft., turn right, advance to the first door on the right. {Muster Room}*

6. Remove drag victim from doorway and drag 25 ft. {Exercise Room}*

7. Enter the room, use the Universal Chest Press machine, in a vertical position squat and lift twice. {Weight will be pre-set at 190 lbs} *

8. Advance 58 ft. to the end of the hall, turn right advance 51ft.go down to the staircase touching each step, returning the starting point.

9. Stop, and then recite floor and location given in the beginning.

10. The DOPAT must be completed within 00:01:30 (1minute, 30 seconds).

Do I have to be a certified corrections officer to apply for a job? Back to top

No, you do not have to be already certified. The Durham County Sheriff's Office conducts our own Basic Detention Officer Training Academy (BDOT). Once an applicant is offered a position with the Sheriff?s Office within one year of starting employment, the applicant will be scheduled to attend BDOT.

How long does the Detention Officer Application process usually take? Back to top

On average the application process for a Detention Officer position usually takes approximately 90 days, from the time the completed application is turned in, to the time the final decision is made by the Sheriff.

Where can I get an application for employment for Detention Officer? Back to top

There are several places to get an application for employment.

· At the Durham County Jail, see the officer working the front desk

· At the Durham County Courthouse, see the officer working the front desk of the Sheriff?s Office on the first floor.

· You can visit the Durham County Government web site and download an application at, http://www.co.durham.nc.us/departments/shrf/forms/DOAppInstructions.pdf

When is your next Correctional Officer Academy? Back to top

The Sheriff?s Office does not hire people specifically for a BDOT academy. The Sheriff?s Office hires personnel specifically for positions that available. Once a person is hired, they will be scheduled for an academy within one year of their start date.

How long is the BDOT academy? Back to top

Usually the academy is 8 weeks long. After the academy is completed for state certification the Sheriff?s Office usually adds two weeks of post academy training, to include Departmental policy and procedures, and classes specific to the Sheriff?s Office.

What is the pay for Detention Officer? Back to top

Starting salary for a Detention Officer is $ 28,491.00. After the applicant has completed a BDOT and their probationary status their pay is $ 29,933.00.

Do I have to be a certified law enforcement officer to apply for a job? Back to top

No, you do not have to be already certified. The Durham County Sheriff's Office conducts our own Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy (BLET). Once an applicant is offered a position with the Sheriff?s Office within one year of starting employment, the applicant will be scheduled to attend BLET.

What are the requirements for becoming a Deputy Sheriff? Back to top

· Must be at least 21 years old.

· Must be a citizen of the United States.

· Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. **Training and Standards require a high school equivalent diploma be at least partial classroom.

· Must possess or be able to possess a North Carolina driver?s license.

· Must not have been convicted of a felony of serious misdemeanor.

· Must meet all the applicable standards and qualify for State Law Enforcement Certification in accordance with the North Carolina Sheriffs? Training & Standards Commission as well as the policies of the Office of the Sheriff of Durham County.

What is the employment process for Deputy Sheriff? Back to top

1. Successfully complete the Police Officers? Physical Abilities Test (POPAT)

2. Take the Suitability Test

3. Background Investigation

4. Review Board Interview

5. Final Selection

6. Notify Rejected Applicants

For more information see the Deputy Sheriff Information

What is the POPAT? Back to top

The POPAT is the Police Officers? Physical Abilities Test. Training and Standards requires that in order for a person to be a certified Law Enforcement Officer, they must pass the POPAT in a time of 7 minutes and 20 seconds during the Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy (BLET). The Durham County Sheriff's Office has adopted for the application process a time of 9 minutes and 20 seconds. Our philosophy is that during an 18 week academy, with regular physical fitness sessions, we will be able to get you to that 7 minute and 20 second mark. Listed below is a breakdown of the POPAT.

1. Applicant is given two street names before beginning;

2. Exit vehicle and advance 200 yards on foot

3. Remove victim from vehicle and body drag 50 feet;

4. Scale staircase (up & down) 3 times while touching all steps;

5. Advance 25 feet to negotiate 50-pound ?body force? door;

6. Complete 20 push-ups & 20 sit-ups (in that order);

7. Return 25 feet to scale staircase (up & down) three times;

8. Advance 25 feet to 40-foot culvert & crawl completely through using flashlight;

9. Complete 20 push-ups & 20 sit-ups (in that order);

10. Advance 200 yards on foot;

11. Recite 2 street names provided.

How long does the Deputy Sheriff Application process usually take? Back to top

On average the application process for a Deputy Sheriff position usually takes approximately 120 days, from the time the completed application is turned in, to the time the final decision is made by the Sheriff.

Where can I get an application for employment for Deputy Sheriff? Back to top

There are several places to get an application for employment.

· At the North Station Training and Recruitment 11821 Hwy. 501 N., Rougemont, NC 27572

· At the Durham County Courthouse, see the officer working the front desk of the Sheriff?s Office on the first floor.

· You can visit the Durham County Government web site and download an application at, http://www.co.durham.nc.us/departments/shrf/forms/LEOAppInstructions.pdf

When is your next BLET academy? Back to top

The Sheriff?s Office does not hire people specifically for a BLET academy. The Sheriff?s Office hires personnel specifically for positions that available. Once a person is hired, they will be scheduled for an academy within one year of their start date.

How long is the BLET academy? Back to top

Usually the academy is 18 weeks long. After the academy is completed for state certification the Sheriff?s Office usually adds two weeks of post academy training, to include Departmental policy and procedures, and classes specific to the Sheriff?s Office.

What is the pay for Deputy Sheriff? Back to top

Starting salary for a Deputy Sheriff is $ 31,449.00. After the applicant has completed a BLET, Field Training and their probationary status their pay is $ 33,043.00.

Do you accept lateral transfers from within North Carolina? Back to top

Yes we do, as long as you have not been out of Law Enforcement for more than 1 year.

Do you accept lateral transfers from someone from another state? Back to top

No. According to Sheriff?s Training and Standards you have two options to be certified as a Sheriff?s Deputy:

Option 1 within the twelve month probationary period, challenge the BLET state examination and under go a skills assessment. The current exam comprises six units totaling 300 objective questions. The applicant must score a minimum of 70% on each unit to successfully complete the state examination. The skills assessment consists of five areas: First Responder; Firearms; Law Enforcement Drivers? training; Physical Fitness; and Subject Control Arrest Techniques. The applicant must demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of each skills related activity before a certified instructor. Successful completion of the assessment must be documented by the instructor on a Commission-approved form.

Option 2 Enroll in and successfully complete a Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) course.

Do you have a lateral academy for certified officers? Back to top

No. If offered a position with the Sheriff?s Office, the applicant will work approximately two weeks in various positions within the agency. The new employee will then be assigned to the Training Division where they will be assigned to start their Field Training Program. The Field Training Program lasts approximately 12 weeks and after successful completion of the Field Training Program the employee will be transferred to their next duty assignment.