Missouri has 114 counties and 1 independent city (City of St. Louis). Sheriffs in Missouri are elected on a 4 year term. They are mainly responsible for ensuring effective law enforcement and peace in their counties.

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If you want to act as a conservator of peace and security in your society, then you might want to consider reading this guide that outlines how to become a sheriff in Missouri. Becoming a sheriff would enable you to make the community trouble free and a safe place to live in. If you have what it takes to become a sheriff, then apply now.

Requirements to Become a Sheriff in Missouri

  • The person must be a legal US citizen
  • Should be above 18 years of age at the time of applying to become a police officer
  • Should hold a Peace Officer License
  • Clean criminal record
  • Capable of effective law enforcement

How Long Does It Take to Become a Sheriff in Missouri?

The entire process can be broken down into the following stages:

Step 1: Enroll in a Police Academy

A police training academy prepares the candidates for this position. The candidates receive training on various topics including Use of Weapons, Managing crime scenes, Crowd Controlling, Witness Questioning, and Constitutional Law.

Step 2: Work as a Police Officer

Since the position of a sheriff requires leadership skills, the candidate will be required to have some experience in law enforcement. Work experience requirement varies between counties, so the candidates should check the specific county and state requirements.

Step 3: Obtain a Law Enforcement Related College Degree

Earning a master’s or a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice will make the applicant a favorable candidate and will improve his/her job prospects. People will also feel more confident while voting for a more qualified individual.

Step 4: Clear All Exams/Interviews

The candidate would be expected to pass a written exam, a physical fitness exam, an interview process, a background check and a medical exam.

Step 5: File the Paperwork

The candidate would be required to complete the entire application package and file the paperwork with the relevant county before the deadline.

Step 6: Win the Campaign

Campaigning is crucial in becoming a sheriff. The candidate should prepare an entire plan on how to go about it and gather a team to get his/her message across to the masses. If the candidate gets the most votes, he/she assumes charge as the sheriff and all the responsibilities that come along with it.

Salary of Sheriffs in Missouri

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives in Missouri earned an annual mean wage of $78,750 in May 2018. Since sheriff is a management position, they will earn a good amount of money if they are elected to the office.