Please Note: All applicants, including Lateral and Pre-Service applicants, must successfully pass the online application and entrance exam prior to moving on in the hiring process.
Online Application
Your first step toward a career in law enforcement will begin with an online application with the County of Riverside. You will be prompted to create an online profile. You will need to answer a basic preliminary background questionnaire. The questionnaire will determine your eligibility to continue with the recruiting process.
Once you are eligible to move through the process, you will be able to schedule a test date for the entrance exam. Your profile will prompt you to the scheduling calendar where you can schedule the entrance exam yourself.
Entrance Exam
After successful completion of the preliminary background questionnaire, you will schedule a test date for the written examination with the County of Riverside. The written examination is an aptitude and biometric assessment to evaluate an individual’s fit for a career in law enforcement. It is an online examination conducted at the County of Riverside’s Assessment Center.
Test dates will be limited to availability and need. Interested applicants are encouraged to check their profile often for available test dates.
Physical Agility Test
The Physical Agility Test (PAT) is administered at the Ben Clark Training Center. Test dates will be limited to availability and need. Interested applicants are encouraged to check their profile often for available test dates.
The PAT consists of two portions designed to measure applicants core strength and cardio endurance. Applicants will only be allowed to take the PAT twice, so it is recommended that you are physically prepared before scheduling for the test.
The PAT will consist of the following: sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5 mile run. Applicants will be given one minute each to correctly perform at least 27 sit-ups and 22 push-ups. Once applicants successfully complete the sit-ups and push-ups; they will move on to the mile and a half run which has to be completed in less than 14 minutes without stopping or walking.
At the end of the PAT, successful applicants will be given further instructions regarding the hiring process. Successful applicants will be placed on an eligibility list. When the Sheriff’s Department notifies Human Resources of available positions, Human Resources will contact applicants on the eligibility list(s) to continue with the background process.
Please Note: Pre-Service and Lateral applicants are not required to take the physical agility test. Applicants must notify Human Resources and provide a copy of a transcript or certificate showing the completion of a P.O.S.T academy. The P.O.S.T certificate must be current and valid to qualify an applicant as a Pre-Service or Lateral applicant.
Background Investigation
The background investigation will be conducted by the Sheriff’s Department. When applicants submit their background packet, Sheriff’s Personnel will conduct a thorough background investigation. The investigation will consist of employment and residence checks, personal history, livescan, polygraph examination, medical review, and a psychological assessment. Additional information regarding the full scope of the background investigation will be given by your assigned background investigator.
It is advisable that applicants uphold the highest level of integrity while in the background process. Deputies of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department are entrusted with the responsibility to keep the community safe from crime and corruption. As such, integrity and professionalism are highly regarded attributes of applicants wanting to become Deputy Sheriffs and Correctional Deputies.
Please Note: All applicants, including Lateral and Pre-Service applicants, must successfully pass the online application and entrance exam prior to moving on in the hiring process.
Online Application
Your first step toward a career in law enforcement will begin with an online application with the County of Riverside. You will be prompted to create an online profile. You will need to answer a basic preliminary background questionnaire. The questionnaire will determine your eligibility to continue with the recruiting process.
Once you are eligible to move through the process, you will be able to schedule a test date for the entrance exam. Your profile will prompt you to the scheduling calendar where you can schedule the entrance exam yourself.
Entrance Exam
After successful completion of the preliminary background questionnaire, you will schedule a test date for the written examination with the County of Riverside. The written examination is an aptitude and biometric assessment to evaluate an individual’s fit for a career in law enforcement. It is an online examination conducted at the County of Riverside’s Assessment Center.
Test dates will be limited to availability and need. Interested applicants are encouraged to check their profile often for available test dates.
Physical Agility Test
The Physical Agility Test (PAT) is administered at the Ben Clark Training Center. Test dates will be limited to availability and need. Interested applicants are encouraged to check their profile often for available test dates.
The PAT consists of two portions designed to measure applicants core strength and cardio endurance. Applicants will only be allowed to take the PAT twice, so it is recommended that you are physically prepared before scheduling for the test.
The PAT will consist of the following: sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5 mile run. Applicants will be given one minute each to correctly perform at least 27 sit-ups and 22 push-ups. Once applicants successfully complete the sit-ups and push-ups; they will move on to the mile and a half run which has to be completed in less than 14 minutes without stopping or walking.
At the end of the PAT, successful applicants will be given further instructions regarding the hiring process. Successful applicants will be placed on an eligibility list. When the Sheriff’s Department notifies Human Resources of available positions, Human Resources will contact applicants on the eligibility list(s) to continue with the background process.
Please Note: Pre-Service and Lateral applicants are not required to take the physical agility test. Applicants must notify Human Resources and provide a copy of a transcript or certificate showing the completion of a P.O.S.T academy. The P.O.S.T certificate must be current and valid to qualify an applicant as a Pre-Service or Lateral applicant.
Background Investigation
The background investigation will be conducted by the Sheriff’s Department. When applicants submit their background packet, Sheriff’s Personnel will conduct a thorough background investigation. The investigation will consist of employment and residence checks, personal history, livescan, polygraph examination, medical review, and a psychological assessment. Additional information regarding the full scope of the background investigation will be given by your assigned background investigator.
It is advisable that applicants uphold the highest level of integrity while in the background process. Deputies of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department are entrusted with the responsibility to keep the community safe from crime and corruption. As such, integrity and professionalism are highly regarded attributes of applicants wanting to become Deputy Sheriffs and Correctional Deputies.