How Do You Become a Sheriff in Illinois

A sheriff is responsible for the security of his/her entire county and its citizens. The element of responsibility involved in this job is huge; therefore, it is important that you are properly trained for it. Getting enrolled in a police academy is the ideal way to do so. A police training academy would teach you the basics of various security procedures, including the use of firearms, crowd control methods, arresting procedures, constitutional law, and high speed driving, etc.

Once you have cleared a police academy, you would have to work as an officer for a few years, before being eligible to apply to become a sheriff. The number of years of experience required would vary from county to county, but mostly it would be somewhere between one year to five years. You may need to obtain additional licensure and certification as well, so make sure you check your county’s exact requirements before applying.

While this is not a requirement in most counties, having a higher educational qualification than a high school diploma would give you an edge over your competitors. This would also make the voters feel more confident in your ability to lead and would improve your overall job prospects. Consider finishing a degree in either criminal justice or law enforcement to better equip yourself for the job of a sheriff.

Every county will have its own set of requirements for applicants. You are advised to visit the official county website or the courthouse in your county to get more details on this. As a general matter, the following requirements may be applicable in your county:

• Clear a written exam that covers written and logical reasoning skills, along with some job specific questions
• Pass an oral interview that will check your communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills, along with your reasons for wanting to become a sheriff
• Clear a thorough background check that will check for any felony convictions, bad credit history and traffic violations
• Pass a physical fitness exam that will check the stamina and proficiency of using various kinds of firearms

Make sure you have met all requirements and are filing the documents before the deadline.

This is the part of the process which would require the most effort and planning. Make sure you put together a solid team to help get your message across the entire area. Set up media interviews, pass around fliers and put up ads in newspapers and local television channels to talk about your agenda and future plans for the county.

If you win, you will be required to take an oath and sign an official contract for a four-year term working as sheriff. Some counties may have smaller terms, but four years is the standard nearly everywhere.