Law Enforcement Officer Position

Whatcom County Sheriff's Office - Patrol Deputy

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The information herein is provided by the respective agency and is only as accurate and as up-to-date as the agency representative(s) update this information. PST is not responsible for the veracity of this data as it is provided directly from the agency. It is ultimately the applicant's responsibility to verify any information about the agency with the agency.

Whatcom County Sheriff's Office - Patrol Deputy

Last updated on February 27, 2024
PST Partner Agency since October 19, 2011

Vacancies: 8

Community Information

Whatcom County is nestled along the Canadian border, beautifully positioned between the San Juan Islands and the Cascade mountain range, this safe, scenic community is nationally recognized for its quality of life and diverse recreational opportunities. Visit www.bellingham.com for more information about our community.

Department Information

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office has a staff of 190 employees under the leadership of Sheriff, Bill Elfo.   The Sheriff’s Office is comprised of three bureaus: Law Enforcement and Investigations, Corrections, and Civil and Support Services.  In addition the Division of Emergency Management serves to enhance the safety of citizens in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.

Area Information

County: Whatcom
Population: 225,685
# of Staff:

Hiring Status

Whatcom County Sheriff's Office - Patrol Deputy has 8 vacancies.

As of September 8, 2023 Whatcom County has 7 vacancies for the position of Patrol Deputy.

Whatcom County's Civil Service Commission continuously maintains eligibility lists of entry-level, lateral entry and certified entry Patrol Deputy. We establish new eligibility lists after each oral board.

Please check our employment web page for information on our hiring process.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to review our list of Automatic Disqualifiers before applying.

For more information about the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office and the Patrol Deputy position, please review our Recruitment Brochure.

After completing your PST testing: Please watch your email for an invitation to complete a Whatcom County employment application. An application must be completed before you are considered eligible for participation in the Oral Board. Oral Boards will be scheduled periodically, based on need. Candidates will be contacted in priority order based on written exam score.

Questions about the application or hiring process, please contact HRCS@co.whatcom.wa.us.

Questions about the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, please contact Communications Program Specialist Deb Slater at DSlater@co.whatcom.wa.us.


Salary Information

Entry-level Patrol Deputies start at $38.37 per hour and receive annual pay increases for the first five years.

Deputies earn longevity pay beginning in their 6th year through their 27th year, increasing every 3 years.

Additional compensation paid to Deputies with an AA or BA Degree. Specialty assignments also received additional premium pay.

  • 2024 scheduled wage increase: 4%
  • 2025 scheduled wage increase: 3%

For more information please view the Wage Table online.

Benefit Information

Whatcom County offers a comprehensive benefits package with medical, dental and vision coverage for employees, spouses and eligible dependents.  Our benefits package also includes attractive paid leave provisions. Employees participate in the Washington State Retirement System and may also enroll in an optional deferred compensation program. 

Detailed benefit information is available on our website.

Whatcom County Sheriff's Office - Patrol Deputy Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required
LEO/CO Physical Ability Test (PAT) Yes, required

Your physical ability test must be completed 180 days (~6 months) before or after your passing written exam.
Minimum Age 21
US Citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required Yes. Possession of valid driver's license at time of hire and throughout employment.
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult None.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile Will be carefully reviewed on a case by case basis
Ability to Read & Write the English Language Yes
Vision Requirements Correctable to 20/20
College Requirement None. College-level coursework in corrections, law enforcement, law and justice, police science or social services is desired.
Other

Whatcom County Sheriff's Office - Patrol Deputy Disqualifiers

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.

Category Disqualifier
Driving
Potential Conviction for driving while intoxicated or related charges, reckless driving, hit and run, criminal negligent driving or driving while license suspended or revoked within the past 5 years. Any DUI conviction ever, will require the applicant, due to the admissibility requirement to Canada, to obtain a "Certificate of Rehabilitation" from the Canadian Government. A driving history indicating a repetitive disregard for traffic laws, irresponsibility in meeting traffic court obligations, the failure to maintain required insurance or the involvement in an inordinate number of motor vehicle accidents. The term conviction shall include any disposition adverse to the applicant, except a decision not to prosecute, a dismissal, or an acquittal. A dismissal entered after a period of probation, suspension, or deferral of sentence is considered a disposition adverse to the applicant.
Drug Usage
Automatic No recent possession or use (within past year) of any illegal or non-prescribed drugs, to include marijuana or any products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Automatic No possession of non-prescribed amphetamine stimulants (excluding methamphetamines) but including Ritalin within the past 5 years.
Automatic No possession or use of methamphetamines such as speed, crank, crystal, or ice for the past 15 years.
Automatic No possession or use of hallucinogenic drugs (LSD, PCP, Ecstasy/MDMA, designer drugs, hallucinogenic mushrooms, etc.) in the past 10 years or more than 5 times during lifetime
Automatic No possession or use of non-prescribed opiates (heroin, morphine, methadone, etc.) for the last 10 years or more than 5 times in a lifetime.
Automatic No possession or use of anabolic steroids with the past 5 years or more than 10 times in a lifetime.
Automatic No possession or use of cocaine including "crack" cocaine in the past 10 years or more than 5 times in a lifetime.
Automatic No non-prescribed/unlawful possession or use of any controlled substance subsequent to submitting an application for employment with any criminal justice or law enforcement agency within the past 15 years.
Automatic No non-prescribed possession or use of any controlled substance during the time of, or subsequent to, any employment with any criminal justice or law enforcement agency.
Automatic No actual possession involving being under the influence of controlled substances while working in any safety or security sensitive position.
Automatic No illegal manufacture or deriving income through the possession, sale or importation of controlled substances during lifetime.
Criminal Activity
Automatic Any involvement in an organization as a participant, officer or employee of any organization, association or group which advocates the overthrow of our government by unlawful means, advocates or approves committing acts of force or violence to deny others their legal rights or wants to change our form of government by unconstitutional means.
Potential The applicant's association of persons having notoriety for involvement in criminal activity, unless satisfactorily explained.
Potential The commission of any act evidencing unfairness, untruthfulness, cheating, dishonesty or disrespect for the rights of others. The commission of acts evidencing recklessness or irresponsibility.
Automatic Conviction for any felony offense or for any misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offense involving violence, theft, moral turpitude, sex crimes, altering documents, false statements, computer trespass, controlled substances or crimes evidencing disrespect for the rights of others. The term conviction shall include any disposition adverse to the applicant, except a decision not to prosecute, a dismissal, or an acquittal. A dismissal entered after a period of probation, suspension, or deferral of sentence is considered a disposition adverse to the applicant.
Employment
Potential Demonstrate poor performance with current or prior employers that relate to a failure to follow reasonable workplace rules or maintain good work habits or unexplained instability in employment.
Financial
Potential Gross failure to make arrangement for the payment of debt or incurring debt the applicant knows or should know that he or she will be unable to repay shall be grounds for removal of the applicant unless a satisfactory explanation is provided.
Other
Potential If having served in the Armed Forces of the United States, receipt of no less than a fully honorable discharge.

Contact Information

Whatcom County Sheriff's Office - Patrol Deputy

311 Grand Avenue, Suite 107
Bellingham, WA 98225 Whatcom County
(360) 778-5300

Website
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Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: Yes, required
PAT: Yes, required


Other Whatcom County Sheriff's Office positions

Corrections Deputy