Have you ever dreamed of becoming a Deputy Sheriff? Do the aspects of the job intrigue you? The following is a list of the qualifications, requirements, and testing procedures needed to fulfill that dream.

Click Here for Employment Application (Please note, this form needs to be notarized. We have a notary in our office that you can use.)

A completed/notarized application can be returned to the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, 4001 N. Boyer Road, Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864, or emailed to Lieutenant Tony Riffel, tony.riffel@bonnercountyid.gov

Entry Applicant Qualifications

In order to qualify as an entry level Deputy Sheriff applicant for Bonner County, the following minimum requirements must be met:

• Shall be a citizen of the United States .
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must possess a High School diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must be of good moral character and pass an extensive background investigation, which will include a review of your criminal and traffic history, your financial affairs, work history, education, and personal history to include, but not be limited to contacts with friends, neighbors, relatives, employers, co-workers and associates. Applicants who successfully progress through the application and testing process will also be required to pass a Polygraph Exam and Drug Testing prior to being appointed to a Deputy Sheriff position.
• Have not less than two (2) years of responsible work experience following high school graduation (or when the applicant would have graduated). This requirement can be complied with by two (2) years of any combination of military service, gainful employment or education.
• Shall have no convictions or withheld judgments for any felony criminal offense.
• Shall have no convictions or withheld judgments for any misdemeanor sex crimes, misdemeanor crimes of deceit or misdemeanor drug offenses within five (5) years preceding application.
• Shall have no convictions or withheld judgments for misdemeanor DUI during the three (3) years immediately preceding application.
• Shall have no convictions or withheld judgments for any other misdemeanor crime during the three (3) years immediately preceding application.
• Shall have no convictions or withheld judgments of any misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, stalking, violation of a civil protection order, violation of a no contact order or child abuse.
• Shall not have had a driver’s license suspension for a DUI conviction, refusal of a chemical test or for having habitual misdemeanor or infraction traffic violations during the three (3) years immediately preceding application.
• Must be able to legally possess a firearm.
• Shall not have a “Dismissal,” “Bad Conduct Discharge,” “Dishonorable Discharge” or “Other than Honorable” discharge from any Military service. The administrative discharges of “General Under Honorable Conditions,” “General” or “Uncharacterized” may be grounds for rejection for certification by Idaho POST.
• Must be able to meet the physical and medical requirements for a law enforcement officer in the State of Idaho as prescribed by the Idaho Peace Officer Standards & Training Council.

Lateral Entry Qualifications

In order to qualify as a Lateral Deputy Sheriff Applicant for the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, the following minimum requirements must be met:

• Must meet all of the same minimum requirements as an Entry Level Deputy Sheriff Applicant and;
• Must hold a current certification as a peace officer (A copy of this certification must be attached to application) and;
• Must have satisfactorily completed a probationary period with current/prior law enforcement agency and;
• Must have satisfactorily completed at least one (1) continuous year of service assigned to a Patrol Division or other similar Field duty after the completion of a Field Training Program; The Sheriff reserves the right to review and accept or deny other duties or assignments which may be considered for a lateral entry.
• Any lateral applicant who has been out of full-time law enforcement status for longer than five (5) years must attend the Idaho POST Basic Patrol Academy to be recertified, unless the Idaho POST Council waives this requirement based off of clear and convincing evidence that during a substantial part of their time out of full-time law enforcement, the applicant was engaged in an occupation requiring law enforcement training, skill and experience.

Application & Testing

Specific information regarding the testing dates are available by contacting Lieutenant Tony Riffel, (208) 263-8417, ext 3053 office number or email tony.riffel@bonnercountyid.gov

A three-part exam consisting of a written exam, physical fitness, and oral interviews will be administered. Applicants who successfully progress through the application and testing process will also be required to pass a Polygraph Exam and Drug Testing prior to being appointed to a Deputy Sheriff position.

Training & Certification

An entry-level deputy sheriff’s career begins at the Idaho P.O.S.T. Academy where training is provided for 10 weeks (400 hours), eight hours every day, except weekends and holidays. While in the Academy you will be paid your full salary and will receive intensive training in preparation for your law enforcement career.

Commissioned Academy graduates are assigned to the Patrol Division under the guidance of a Field Training Officer (FTO) who will instruct you in the practical application of your academy training. Upon completion of the FTO program, you will be placed on normal shift rotation and assignment.

Bonner County Employee Benefits

Uniforms: Issued required clothing and equipment.

The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office offers a comprehensive benefit package designed to provide employees, and their families with a broad range of employer and employee paid benefit options. Eligibility for the following benefits may vary depending on the employee’s employment category or classification and whether they are part-time or full-time employees.

Read all Bonner County Employee Benefits