Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions:

  1. How do I get someone from the Office of the Sheriff to speak to my organization?

  2. How do I start a Neighborhood Watch Program?

  3. How can I make an anonymous tip to the Sheriff's Office?

  4. Where is applicant fingerprinting provided?

  5. Is an appointment needed?

  6. Is there a charge for applicant fingerprinting?

Job Related Questions:

  1. What should be considered in my decision to apply for a Deputy Sheriff position?

  2. The department's job flyer has higher and/or additional selection requirements over those stated above. Why aren't they the same?

  3. Is the Regular Basic Course the minimum training requirement for all peace officers employed by agencies in the POST program?

  4. Which basic academies does the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office utilize?

  5. Is an individual required to complete a Basic Academy prior to applying for a peace officer position?

  6. I have completed a basic course in another state, can I transfer my training to California?

  7. Can anyone enroll in a POST-certified Basic Academy?

  8. How do I enroll for Basic training?

  9. What other job opportunities does the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Offer?

  10. What is the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office hiring sequence?

  11. How long must I serve on probation once I am employed?

  12. How do I obtain a POST Basic Certificate?

  13. I completed my Basic Course more than 3 years ago and have not obtained peace officer employment, is my training expired?

  14. How do I apply for Veteran’s Preference Points? What are the Eligibility Requirements?

  15. Who can I contact for additional job related questions?
     

1. How do I get someone from the Office of the Sheriff to speak to my organization?

- Please contact a Crime Prevention Specialist assigned to your area:

- If you live in the unincorporated areas of Salinas, Spreckles, and the North County communities of Aromas, Castroville, Las Lomas, Moss landing, Prunedale, Pajaro, or areas south of Salinas to the San Luis Obispo county line, email Dave Crozier or call him at (831) 755-3766.

- If you live in Carmel Valley, unincorporated areas of Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula, Pebble Beach, and Big Sur, email Donna Galletti or call her at (831) 647-7909.

- Or, contact the Sheriff's Office at (831) 755-3700.

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2. How do I start a Neighborhood Watch Program?

- To start the Neighborhood Watch Program in your neighborhood contact a Crime Prevention Specialist.

- If you live in the unincorporated areas of Salinas, Spreckles, and the North County communities of Aromas, Castroville, Las Lomas, Moss landing, Prunedale, Pajaro, or areas south of Salinas to the San Luis Obispo county line, email Dave Crozier or call him at (831) 755-3766.

- If you live in Carmel Valley, unincorporated areas of Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula, Pebble Beach, and Big Sur, email Donna Galletti or call her at (831) 647-7909.

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3. How can I make an anonymous tip to the Sheriff's Office?

- You may leave an anonymous tip using our online Report a Crime form.

- You may call our anonymous tip line at (888) 833-4TIP (4847).

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4. Where is applicant fingerprinting provided?

- Applicant fingerprinting is currently provided at the main office, 1414 Natividad Road, Salinas.

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5. Is an appointment needed?

- Yes. Applicant fingerprinting is provided Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, every 15 minutes starting at 8:30 AM through 4:00 PM. Please call 755-3700 to schedule an appointment.

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6. Is there a charge for applicant fingerprinting?

- Yes. The Office charges a rolling fee of $20.00. All other fees are determined by agency or organization requirements.

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7. What should be considered in my decision to apply for a Deputy Sheriff Position?

- Individuals applying for a peace officer position in California are required to meet several statewide minimum standards for employment. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office standards include:

  • No felony convictions
  • Meeting the citizenship requirement (included are provisions for permanent resident aliens)
  • Minimum age of 20 1/2 years
  • Minimum education of United States high school graduation or passage of GED test
  • Successfully pass a Written Exam and Physical Ability Exam (Required T-Score of 50 or above)
  • A fingerprint and criminal history check
  • An employment interview
  • A background investigation indicating the individual is of good moral character
  • A medical and psychological suitability examination
     

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8. The department's job flyer has higher and/or additional selection requirements over those stated above. Why aren't they the same?

- Local law enforcement departments may set higher standards than the statewide minimum standards. Where there are no statewide minimum standards, the local hiring authority may set a standard, e.g. vision and hearing standards. This is why some standards vary from department to department.

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9. Is the Regular Basic Course the minimum training requirement for all peace officers employed by agencies in the POST program?

- For all city police officers, county sheriff deputies, and most other peace officer categories, the Regular Basic Course is the minimum entry-level training requirement. Exceptions to this would be peace officers employed by certain specialized law enforcement agencies, coroner peace officers, Reserve Level II or Level III officers, and limited function officers. To determine the minimum training requirement for the categories listed as exceptions, please contact the hiring agency or view the on-line POST Administrative Manual, section B (regulations). Regulation 1005 specifies the minimum training standard for full-time peace officers and Regulation 1007 specifies the minimum training standard for each level of Reserve peace officer.

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10. Which basic academies does the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office utilize?

 - Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont Street, Monterey, CA 93940-4799

 - Gavilan Police Academy, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., Gilroy, CA 95020

 - Santa Clara Regional Justice Training Center, 19050 Malaguerra Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

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11. Is an individual required to complete a Basic Academy prior to applying for a peace officer position?

- This varies with every agency. Some agencies will only hire individuals after they have graduated from a Basic Academy (regular basic course), while others will hire individuals and send them through an academy as trainees or cadets. Some agencies require that an individual attend the agency's Basic Academy regardless of previous completion of another Basic Academy.

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12. I have completed a basic course in another state, can I transfer my training to California?

- California POST does not have reciprocity with other states, nor do we have a challenge process. California POST has a Basic Course Waiver (BCW) process for individuals who want to become California peace officers and have completed at least 664 hours of general law enforcement training (including a general law enforcement basic course of at least 200 hours), and have at least one year of successful sworn general law enforcement experience. The BCW is a 4-step process that includes: self-assessment/application; POST evaluation; written and skills testing; and issuance of a waiver letter. Once the BCW process is successfully completed, the applicant receives a waiver of the California Regular Basic Course; however, acceptance of the waiver is at the discretion of the employing agency.

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13. Can anyone enroll in a POST-certified Basic Academy?

- Yes, however, not everyone is accepted. Every individual applying to a Basic Academy must complete a criminal history clearance. If the criminal history reveals a felony conviction, you will not be allowed to enroll in the course. Many academies administer a reading and writing test to determine the likelihood of succeeding in the training, however, it does not preclude enrollment.

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14. How do I enroll for Basic training?

- A list of training institutions approved to present the POST-certified Regular Basic Course is provided in the Employment Data for California Law Enforcement or the Catalog of Certified Courses publications. From this list you may select the institution(s) of interest and contact the training presenter to obtain information on costs and enrollment. To accommodate different working schedules, the Regular Basic Course is presented in several formats. The Intensive Format is usually a Monday-Friday schedule and during normal working hours. The Extended Format is usually evenings and weekends. The course is also presented in a modular format. Completion of Reserve Level III, II, and I modules (in that order) is the equivalent of completing the Regular Basic Course.

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15. What other job opportunities does the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Offer?

Visit our web site at www.co.monterey.ca.us/sheriff/jobs.htm for a complete employment opportunity listing, call Human Resources at (831) 759-7298 or 755-3744 or visit http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/personnel/jobs.asp for additional Monterey County employment opportunities.

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16. What is the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office hiring sequence? (Click on a button below to view .PDF document)
 

         

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17. How long must I serve on probation once I am employed?

- RECRUITS: Are “at-will” employees. Recruits are sworn in as Deputy Sheriffs upon graduation from the P.O.S.T. Academy. Failure to graduate or to meet the Sheriff’s Office standards is cause for release from this position.

- DEPUTY SHERIFF: Twelve (12) months.

- PROFESSIONAL STAFF: Nine (9) months.
 

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18. How do I obtain a POST Basic Certificate?

- Individuals may apply for the POST Basic certificate if: 1) the criteria for the certificate is met, and 2) the individual is employed by an agency participating in the POST program at the time of application. Individuals who believe they meet the Basic Certificate criteria, i.e., successful completion of a probationary period and completion of a POST-certified Basic Course (or Basic Course Waiver), should request assistance and application forms from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Training Division at (831) 755-3829.

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19. I completed my Basic Course more than 3 years ago and have not obtained peace officer employment, is my training expired?

- You will need to successfully complete the 136-hour minimum POST Requalification Course to requalify your training. Six-Year Exception: If you completed a Basic Course after July 1, 1999, you may complete the requalification course one time only. If you do not become employed in a position that requires the Basic Course within six years of your academy completion, you will need to repeat the entire Basic Course.

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20. How do I apply for Veteran’s Preference Points? What are the Eligibility Requirements?

- You must submit a copy of your DD214 Form along with a completed Monterey County Application for Veteran’s Preference. (Click on a button below to view .PDF document)



 

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21. I have additional questions, does the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office have an email address?

Yes, you may direct job related questions to SheriffRecruiting@co.monterey.ca.us or contact Human Resources at (831) 759-7298 or (831) 755-3744.

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