The state of Arizona is made up of 15 counties with elected sheriffs in all of them being part of the Arizona Sheriff’s Association (ASA). The ASA has an important role to play in law enforcement as well as in the maintenance of public safety in all counties of the state. If you are also aiming to become an Arizona sheriff, this piece has all the relevant information.

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Requirements for the Sheriff’s Office in Arizona

Aspiring Arizona sheriffs must meet the following requirements. They:

  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Must be a valid USA nationality holder, whether by naturalization or birth.
  • Must have either a high school diploma or GED certificate.
  • Must fulfill the residency requirements of the county they want to work in as a sheriff.

*Note that the requirements outlined here are generic for the whole state. The actual requirements for counties may vary somewhat. So make sure that you have the specific information about your chosen county.

How to Become a Arizona Sheriff

To become a sheriff in Arizona, you will have to follow certain steps. These include:

  1. Enroll in a police academy training program. There are some counties which provide specific trainings geared towards becoming a sheriff.
  2. Work as a police officer to gain experience once your training is complete. You will have to do this for a few years until the minimum service requirements of your county are fulfilled.
  3. Get a college education (2-year or 4-year degree). This is not compulsory if you want to run for sheriff. However, higher academic qualifications will certainly give you a better chance of being elected to the position. Voters will consider you more suitable for the job. So, if you plan on going to college before pursuing a career as a sheriff, look for a degree in criminology or law enforcement.
  4. Fulfill your county’s basic standards for becoming a sheriff. Pass the written exam, interview, physical ability test and background investigation to be cleared to run for sheriff.
  5. File all the necessary paperwork to join the ballot for becoming sheriff.
  6. Campaign to convince voters you are the ideal candidate for the sheriff’s office.
  7. Became the sheriff for a predefined term by winning elections. You will be allowed to run for re-election after the current term concludes.

How Long Is Needed to Become an Arizona Sheriff?

To become a sheriff, you must first go through police academy training and then serve as an officer for a certain number of years. It will depend upon your county how many years you need to serve in this capacity before being eligible to run for sheriff. You might need as little as 3 years and as much as 8 years.

What Salary Is Drawn by a Sheriff in Arizona?

As indicated by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage of First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives in Arizona was $94,120 in May, 2018.

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