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Deputy careers in our community
Role description
King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) serves unincorporated King County. We operate many city police departments, as well as transit police units.
Learn more about our partner police agencies.
We offer dozens of unique assignments that range from school or community-based positions to drug enforcement and bomb disposal. KCSO has opportunities that can meet any deputy’s goals.
All deputies begin their career on patrol. We do not have a jail service requirement. All deputies provide service to the people of a particular district.
Deputies are assigned to single-person patrol cars. They gain a strong sense of ownership in their communities by interacting with the residents, business owners, and visitors to the area. Often, their work requires working together with these people or supporting fellow deputies in adjoining districts.
Within the rank of deputy sheriff, there are many types of service and leadership opportunities:
- Patrol deputy
- City police officer
- Metro transit police
- Sound transit police
- Community storefront officer
- School resource officer
- Detective
- Master police officer
- Field training officer
- Other specialized units
Advancement opportunities
Deputies can take the sergeants promotional exam after 5 years with the KCSO. We hope that many of our deputies will want to support our agency mission and goals by advancing to the leadership ranks of:
- Sergeant
- Captain
- Major
- Chief
You may also be able to achieve a position as a city police chief while maintaining your Sheriff's Office rank.
Our community
The KCSO is located in the Pacific Northwest. King County is the 14th largest county (by population) in the country. It includes the cities of Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond, as well as many suburban communities and rural areas.
Our area offers:
- A wide variety of employment opportunities
- Year-round recreation
- Award-winning school districts
- Great quality of life
And contrary to popular belief, there are sunny days. Lots of them.
Cost of living
Cost of living varies by region. You can find a cost of living estimate with this CNN calculator.
Employment
If your spouse or partner works, he or she will have plenty of employment opportunities in the area. Many large companies and non-profits are headquartered here, as well as smaller organizations.
Schools
Our school districts are exceptional. There are many extra-curricular activities available through schools and community groups.
For families with younger children, there are childcare options available. You will also find there are many organized groups for kids and parents.
School districts include:
- Shoreline
- Northshore
- Seattle
- Bellevue
- Lake Washington
- Kent
- Highline
- Auburn
- Federal Way
- Tahoma
- Renton
- Issaquah
- Riverview
- Snoqualmie Valley
- Enumclaw
- Tukwila
- Maple Valley
You can learn more about our schools at Washington State Superintendent or Public School Review.
Recreation
There are a variety or recreational opportunities in our region.
Do you like to hike?
The Cascade Range and Olympics offer easy day hikes as well as challenging overnight trips, and they are within a short drive. And, of course, there's Mount Rainier for serious mountaineers.
Prefer water recreation?
There are two major lakes, multiple smaller lakes, and many beaches. Swimming, boating, and fishing are all within your reach.
What about music and culture?
Seattle and the surrounding communities offer:
- Symphonies
- Museums
- Opera
- Theaters
- Local bands
- Jazz clubs
- Amphitheater that attracts major concerts and performances
Looking for more family-friendly activities?
There are:
- Sporting events featuring amateur and professional teams
- City, county, and state parks
- Local fairs and festivals (including SeaFair in July and August)
- Museums
- Aquariums
- Zoos
- Amusement parks and more
Higher education
Colleges, universities, technical schools, and community colleges are plentiful in the area.