To work as a sheriff, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• be at least 21 years old;
• complete police academy training; and
• pass a written exam.

Education after high school

While a high school diploma is the minimum qualification for some sheriff jobs, most sheriffs have college training and many have a degree. Many community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities offer programs in law enforcement or criminal justice.

Many states require that all law enforcement officers complete Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy (POST). New sheriffs attend police academies for three to six months. You study laws and ordinances, self-defense, and first aid. You also learn how to patrol, direct and control traffic, and handle emergencies. In addition, you learn the proper use of weapons.

Work experience

Some large sheriff departments hire high school graduates as police cadets who do office work. You take courses until you turn 21 years old and can compete for a recruit position.

On-the-job training

Most sheriff departments have training programs for newly hired officers. These programs typically last several months.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be law enforcement and security specialists. Training lasts from five to 12 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.