Applying for CoCo Deputy Sheriff

[CasperSYTFU]

Congrats Legend!
You thinking of taking the offer? Or waiting it out to see how your other apps go?

[BayLegend]

Congrats Legend!
You thinking of taking the offer? Or waiting it out to see how your other apps go?

Thanks! I'm taking the offer because OPD is the farthest in terms of the hiring process. Their academy is next month while CoCo already hired their deputies for their April academy. I would have been put into the following academy in September if I got hired with CoCo. Are you in any other processes besides CoCo?

[CasperSYTFU]

Not right now. I know you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket but I really am attracted to that department and want to give it my full attention.

Good luck in Academy! Hope I get my chance soon!

[gorn5150]

Most of my career was in Patrol. I spent some time in Civil and Emergency Services. The end of my career was in Investigations.

[Eikbyrnir]

CoCo County here. I'll try to address several other posts that I went over.

First, the jail. Definitely not a safer place. Intake is dangerous and you need to remain alert and aware. A few months ago a female made it all the way into intake and before her search, it was found she had a handgun in her bra. Jail deputies aren't armed, so its pretty serious especially if a hook can sneak something past the arresting officer into intake. Deputies also get in fights on the inmate modules all the time. Again you have a can of pepper spray and are lucky if there is a taser somewhere nearby. No batons, knives or firearms of course. We've had deputies locked in rooms with an inmate fighting until cover could get in there. The problem is the "boring" nature of things in between these high stress situations. They can pop off at anytime and you have to be ready.

Coco's academy was one of the best, I'm sure it still is with it's PT, training and everything else, but I've heard that mentally they've started cutting back on the yelling, stress and everything else. Maybe if a Calgunner who went at Class 170 or later could tell you more. When I went they were pretty hard core and in your face in everything they did.

Coco has terrible funding right now, technology wise, we are in the early 90's. Hopefully things will be getting better for our patrol division soon. Sheriff Livingston is really trying to beef it up, which is definitely a good thing. Sadly Coco is one of the lowest paid in the area. Lowest in the county for sure. We should be looking at raises soon though, since we just got hit with pay cuts.

I came from a city police spot, so I've got a lot more experience with Patrol then I do with our jail. Overall though, we have a strong department. It will back you up and you have a lot of career opportunities and chances for advancement. The people in this department are great. Just keep your head up during the hiring process, it can be a pain but if you just stick with it, keep you chin up, I think you will do fine.

As for a spouse or significant other, this is a talk that you should be having long before you start the process. Most like they know what type of person you are and already know that this could be a career path for you. Talk to them about it though, tell them your feelings and stay open with them. That is important. They will be your pillar in the academy and especially when you are dealing with the real world of the jail and patrol.

If you make it into the academy the best advice I can give is to keep your head up and your mouth shut. Push yourself to be the best always, because you will be remembered for it. Work as a team, always as a team. When one fails you will all fail. This continues into detention, patrol or wherever you go.

I wish you and anyone else the very best of luck. I grey up in CoCo and this is my home, always. Your experience will be what you make it, so make it the best. This is a great Department to work for, aside from budget and pay issues. To all my fellow LEO's in the state and country, be safe.

[Eikbyrnir]

Not right now. I know you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket but I really am attracted to that department and want to give it my full attention.

Good luck in Academy! Hope I get my chance soon!

Also, I only put in for one place back in 2007 in another state (Texas), 10% hiring rate, and made it. They loved me for that because it showed I wanted to be in THEIR department.

I did the same thing with CoCo, and again it showed I wanted a job but that I wanted a job with THEM. It shows them that you are dedicated to what their CCCSO stands for. I've always felt departments like that.

Just remember at the same time you need to make sure that you are taken care of, if that's applying to 10 different agencies to ensure you get a job, then do it.

[CasperSYTFU]

Eikbyrnir, thank you for all of the info.
That was a great read and really gave me a better understanding of a couple of things.
Your second post echos my hopes for how it is viewed on behalf of the department and all I can do now is get this background packet filled out and keep up the waiting and gym time.

I do have a couple of questions if you wouldn't mind me PMing you?
Let me know and thanks again for your posts.

[Eikbyrnir]

Sure any questions you have I'd be happy to answer.

[Just-in]

Would anyone mind if I shot a pm with a few q's?

[Eikbyrnir]

Yeah if you have questions feel free to PM, I'll answer the best I can.

[qdx450]

and remember when you guys get your badge and gun not to let your head blow-up. you're still human.

[CasperSYTFU]

Well time to get the suit out and iron a shirt.
Pre-background interview appointment set.
Looks like I'm moving forward nicely.

Must be from all your crossed fingers out there for me!
Wish me luck.

[retired]

I was a deputy in the jail when I first my future wife. She was my physical therapist for my second knee injury. Therapy for 10 days and than I took her out on a date. We were married 9 months later and tho she may not have known exactly what to expect, she understood I would remain a deputy. One of the happiest days for her was 27yrs. later in 2003, when I retired. She didn't have to worry anymore about the knock on the door.

I will reiterate what was said about working the jail. I worked it for 4yrs. as a deputy at the beginning of my career and 4yrs. as a sgt. at the end of my career. There were more inmate on staff attacks while there as a sgt. IMO, the inmates exhibited a lot more violence compared to when I worked the jail as a new deputy.

If you are hired, be situationally aware at all times and don't drop your guard. Good luck.

[CasperSYTFU]

Great advice. Thank you for your story!
In your honest opinion, how did you view your work in the beginning of your career in the jail?
Would you have been as prepared when you moved to patrol if you hadn't been in the jail first?

I know it is easy to say now since I haven't been in the situation yet, but I'm really looking forward to the challenge, although a critically dangerous one.

Thanks again for any and all input.

[retired]

Great advice. Thank you for your story!
In your honest opinion, how did you view your work in the beginning of your career in the jail?
Would you have been as prepared when you moved to patrol if you hadn't been in the jail first?

I know it is easy to say now since I haven't been in the situation yet, but I'm really looking forward to the challenge, although a critically dangerous one.

Thanks again for any and all input.

I believe working the jail is a good learning experience for a new deputy. The inmates you meet there are going to be similar to the bad guys you meet in the street. Many of them will freely tell you how they did what they did. You may also be able to build up some informants that can help you while working the jail and perhaps later on the street. Even if you never see them when you get to patrol, you will have learned how to work them.

The major downside is the amount of time a deputy spends in custody. I spent 4yrs. in the jail, beginning in 1976 and that was entirely too long. When I returned as a sgt. 18yrs. later, it was 6-7yrs. due to budget problems. That is a morale buster and some deputies either quit or lateral to another dept.

Personally, I think 18 months is sufficient. One can learn a lot during that time and that experience should prove invaluable, tho it and of itself, does not necessarily mean you will make it off training. As far as me being better prepared due to working the jail prior to patrol, I honestly don't know.


As I said, jail work introduces you to one type of person that you will meet in patrol. One's jail experience will help when you meet that type in the field, so in that instance, yes, I was better prepared. That said, FTO is a totally different ballgame and having experience with that type of person is only one facet of law enforcement. Good luck.