Steps to Become a Full-Fledged Deputy Sheriff

Complete All Academy Training

Academy training details are listed below.

Complete at Least 5 Hours of Ride-Alongs with an FTO (Field Training Officer)

Requirements are listed below.

Complete a Probationary Phase Solo for an Additional 5 Hours

This is considered probationary, meaning you can be dismissed for ANY department violation or breach of the SOPs.

Complete a Final Evaluation with an FTS (Field Training Supervisor)

This is a verbal meeting with an FTS that will determine if you will become a full D'Source Sheriff Department (DSSD) Deputy Sheriff.

Academy Training (P1)

READ THE SOPs!!! Your first step should be to review every section of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure you understand all policies. This will help with essential procedures such as patrolling, responding to calls, using force, and more.

You will be required to go over the following with your initial hiring officer / first FTO during initial training:

Workings of the MDT (Mobile Data Terminal)

• Home page overview

• Searching function

• Looking up a suspect by name

• Creating a warrant / report / verifying warrants

• Looking up a vehicle plate

• Checking the registered owner (RO) for warrants/licenses

• Looking up fingerprints

Dispatch Training

• How to attach to calls

• How to clear calls

ALPR (Automatic License Plate Recognition)

• Checking for a license plate

• Adding a plate to the active record

• Removing a plate from the record

Warrants & Penal Code

• Checking for warrants and understanding them

• Searching for specific penal codes

Basic Law Enforcement Training

• Current Use of Force (UOF) policies and guidelines

• Tour of DSPD HQ with your FTO

• Explanation of basic traffic stop, pursuit, and arrest procedures

Make sure to ask ANY and ALL questions to your FTO at this point.

Ride-Along Training (P2)

You must complete a minimum of 5 hours of ride-alongs with an FTO.

You may ride along with any Deputy Sheriff or higher, but only FTOs are authorized to update your Cadet training checklist. Time spent with other deputies will be considered, as we understand schedules may not always align.

Always listen to your training officer! While book smarts are essential, street smarts often make the difference in the field. Your FTO’s goal is to guide you and assist you with all aspects of training.

Your FTO has a training checklist available—ask them to share your progress as time goes on.

Solo Patrol (Probationary) (P3)

At this point, you are on your own. Your training officer is no longer responsible for getting you out of trouble. If your FTO did their job correctly, this shouldn’t intimidate you.

Make sure you are fully versed on ALL department SOPs to avoid incidents that may result in dismissal, as this is the phase where most cadets are removed due to violations.

You are required to complete at least 5 active patrol hours before requesting a final evaluation with an FTS.

If you pass this evaluation—Congratulations! You are now a full-fledged DSPD Officer!