The position of a sheriff is an elected position all across the US. If you intend to become a sheriff in Mississippi, you are effectively looking at heading one of the 82 counties in the state. All 82 of these counties are a part of the prestigious Mississippi Sheriffs’ Association, which was established back in 1981. The mission of this organization is to protect and serve the citizens of Mississippi and provide them with a safe place to live in.

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If you want to become a part of this association as one of the member sheriffs in the state, here is all the information you will need about the requirements, steps and salary data.

Requirements to Become a Sheriff in Mississippi

Note: The following requirements are to be taken as generic guidelines. For exact county-specific information, aspiring sheriffs are requested to visit county courthouses or the relevant websites.

  • All candidates should be US citizens – If you are in the process of getting your citizenship, you will need to wait to get it before you can be eligible to apply
  • All candidates should meet the minimum age criteria of 18 years – County requirements might have a higher age cut-off
  • Candidates should have lived in the area they want to become the sheriff of – This is not a requirement for all counties in Mississippi, though most would require it. In case you have just moved to the county area, you might have to maintain residency for at least a year before being eligible to apply for the sheriff’s office
  • All candidates should have completed their high school diploma or have an equivalent GED
  • Candidates need to be in good physical and mental shape to be able to deal with the tough nature of the job

Steps to Become a Sheriff in Mississippi

Note: The following steps are generally applicable to the entire state of Mississippi. Most counties will have their specific processes. You are advised to check with your local information boards for a detailed understanding of the process.

Step 1: Attend a Police Training Academy
Step 2: Gain Some Work Experience by Working as a Police Officer
Step 3: Get a Higher Education Degree, Such as a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice
Step 4: Run Your Campaign for the Position of Sheriff
Step 5: Get Elected and Take Oath to Serve an Official Term of Four Years

How Much Does a Sheriff Make in Mississippi?

According to May 2018 data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives made an annual mean income of $51,870 in Mississippi. Exact information on county-wise sheriff’s salary is not publicly available. This BLS category is meant for leadership positions where officers in charge have to directly supervise and coordinate activities between members of the police force.