Special Deputy Units

The Sheriff’s Office will be sponsoring a police academy for OPOTA certification in the near future. For additional information contact Capt. Hendrick at 595-7462.
Upon successful completion of the academy you may apply to become a Special Deputy.

If you are already OPOTA certified, you can complete the Special Deputy application.

SPECIAL DEPUTY

A VOLUNTEER NON-PAID OFFICER with the Sheriff's Office, who is utilized to serve as an auxiliary or supplemental assistance to various regular activities of the Sheriff's Office. THIS IS NOT A REGULAR DEPUTY SHERIFF POSITION.

 

AUTHORITIES

The Special Deputy is commissioned to act only upon assignment through the Sheriff. This is not a full commission. The rights and authorities accompanying such commission are as designated by the Sheriff, and are carried out in a uniformed capacity. Firearms (under the Special Deputy Commission) are permitted to be carried ONLY while in uniform and under assignment of the Sheriff. Firearms are not permitted to be carried at other times. Special Deputies are covered by Workman's Compensation during the time of assignment with the Sheriff's Office.

TRAINING

The Special Deputy must complete the MANDATORY basic police course as established by the Ohio Peace Officers Training Council.

Additional in-service training is scheduled as needed. The Special Deputy will be utilized for duties during a period of this schooling as training permits.

OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Special Deputy will be assigned to one of the four Special Deputy Units across the county. The Special Deputy will be required to:

• Attend all scheduled training sessions 
• Attend scheduled Unit meetings Work scheduled Unit and Departmental details. 
• Participate in the mandatory patrol vehicle "Ride Program". This is riding with a regular Deputy for familiarization purposes. A minimum of eight hours per month is required. 
• Maintain firearms qualification within the Sheriff's Office standard range program 
• Meet all requirements as dictated by the Sheriff's Office Rules and Regulations for regular officers. 
• Meet the department's physical requirements in order to complete Physical Agility Test Standards, if accepted in the program.

UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT

The uniform is generally partially furnished by the Unit to which the Special Deputy is assigned. However, Special Deputies must furnish their own firearms. (Firearms must meet departmental standards and specifications.)

In summary, this position is time consuming and demanding, however, it does present an opportunity for affiliations with and exposure to the police profession in a limited manner. Although this position at no time will result in elevation to full deputy status, the affiliation and exposure in the past has led to Special Deputies competing in the testing procedures given for employment with the department on a regular basis.

Applicant minimum requirements are as follows:

1) Must be a US citizen
2) Must be 21 years of age
3)Must possess a valid Ohio driver's License
4)Must pass OPOTA physical fitness test

Applicants who desire to apply must complete the following process involving:

1) Record Check
2) Background investigation
3) Home interview
4) Oral interview
5) Polygraph examination
6) Interview with Sheriff Simon L. Leis, Jr.
7) Final selection review process
8) Written notice of selection process

Applicants meeting the requirements will be requested to secure a physical examination, at their own expense, assuring of the suitability to the duties required of Special Deputies, prior to acceptance into the program.

NO APPLICANTS WILL BE ACCEPTED WHERE NORMAL EMPLOYMENT, OR ANY OUTSIDE ACTIVITY, IS OF SECURITY OR SEMI-SECURITY NATURE. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.

For further information, please contact the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Patrol Headquarters at (513) 825-1500.