The Los Angeles County is one of the original 27 counties in California, established in 1850. It is one of the country’s largest counties, with a population of nearly 10 million and an area of 4,084 square miles. As a subdivision of the state, the county is responsible for several functions, including law enforcement, public health, tax collection, elections and flood control etc.

If you want to be in-charge of the law enforcement aspects of this county, the following guide will be of great use to you. It lists down all the details you need to know about how to become a sheriff in Los Angeles. As a sheriff of Los Angeles, you will be becoming sheriff of the Los Angeles County, if you are elected.

Requirements to Become a Sheriff in Los Angeles

Before you decide on contesting the elections for sheriff in LA County, you need to be aware of the basic requirements you need to meet. The position of a sheriff is a top-level law enforcement position and you will be required to meet a strict application criterion to be eligible. The following are the requirements applicable to sheriffs generally:

Candidate Should Be a Citizen of the US:

If your citizenship process is still ongoing, you will have to wait for it to conclude before you can begin your application.

Candidate Should Have Attained the Minimum Age of 18:

The minimum age for deputy sheriffs in LA County is 19.5 years to apply and 20 years at the time of appointment.

Candidate Should Have Lived in the County He or She Wants to Become the Sheriff Of:

This is to make sure that the applicant is well-aware of the issues facing his/her county.

Candidate Must Have at Least a High School Diploma or a GED or a US High School Proficiency Test:

This is the minimum educational requirement to assume the office of sheriff in Los Angeles.

Candidate Needs to Be in a Good Shape:

This includes being in a good physical, mental and psychological state.

Candidate Should Be a Police Officer:

To become a sheriff, you will first need to get into the field of law enforcement and gain some relevant experience.

Steps to Become a Sheriff in Los Angeles

Once you have satisfied the above criterion, you can move on to the actual process of becoming a sheriff in the Los Angeles County.

Step 1: Enroll in a Police Training Academy:

Check with your county if they have their own training sessions. LA County has a training program in place for deputy sheriffs.

Step 2: Get Law Enforcement Experience:

You will need at least 3 to 8 years of law enforcement experience to be eligible to hold the office of sheriff.

Step 3: Consider Higher Education:

Even though this is not mandatory, it is highly recommended that you go for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or an associate’s degree in criminal justice.

Step 4: Complete the Requirements to Run for Sheriff in Your County:

This would include clearing several tests and exams as per the standards set by the LA County.

Step 5: Submit the Paperwork Required:

Ensure that you are submitting a complete application, before the mentioned deadline.

Step 6: Plan and Start Your Campaign:

This is the make-or-break part of the process. Make sure you plan your campaign in detail.

Step 7: Get Elected:

If you get the biggest number of votes, you will take up the office of sheriff in LA County.

How Much Does a Sheriff Make in Los Angeles?

The Deputy Sheriff Lateral’ annual salary range is $73,347.96-$120,444.36. Since the position of the sheriff is more senior, he will most probably earn more than this.