Law Enforcement Officer Position

Whatcom County Sheriff's Office - Patrol Deputy

 

PROFILE DISCLAIMER

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 May 31, 2025
PST Partner Agency since October 19, 2011

Vacancies: 2

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 220 employees under the leadership of Sheriff, Donnell "Tank" Tanksley.   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 2 vacancies.

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 $39.91 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.

  • 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.

PST Personal History Statement Yes, required within 14 days of passing required exam(s)  
Minimum Age 21
Citizenship 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, Speak & 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

Traffic crime convictions (DWI, Suspended, Reckless, A diversion or similar action is the same as a conviction, etc.) will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Any DUI conviction or alcohol related driving incident conviction. Must be able to lawfully enter into Canada.

Automatic

Convicted of any felony charges—traffic or criminal.

Potential

Traffic history shows a continuing and/or recent pattern of poor decision-making.

Drug Usage
Potential

The use of cannabis will be evaluated while considering suitability. The frequency and recency of use will be weighed and may contribute to disqualification. Must cease the use of cannabis and pass a drug test before receiving a final offer of employment.

Potential

Use of non-prescribed Adderall, Adderall XR, Mydayis within the last year.

Automatic

Any injection of any non-prescribed drugs, regardless of timeframe (except Anabolic steroids, see Schedule III drug standards).

Potential

Any possession or recreational use of any non-prescribed Schedule I -V drug (except for Cannabis or Adderall) within the past three (3) years, including synthetic versions of Schedule I and II drugs, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Automatic

Any illegal use of drugs after submitting an application with any law enforcement agency.

Automatic

Any illegal use of drugs while employed by a law enforcement agency.

Potential

Any pattern of prescription drug abuse.

Potential

Any intentional inhalation (huffing) of any aerosol or substance (nitrous oxide, whippets, paint, glue, DXM, etc.) in the past three (3) years.

Potential

Any participation in the manufacture, selling, offering to sell, distribution, or transportation for sale of any illegal drugs/narcotics, regardless of the timeframe.

Criminal Activity
Automatic

Convicted of any crime involving false swearing.

Automatic

Convicted of a domestic violence-related crime.

Automatic

Barred from legally possessing a firearm.

Automatic

Engaged in any illegal sexual activity equivalent to a felony level crime. (e.g., rape, child molestation, indecent liberties, child pornography).


Potential

Illegal activity equivalent to a misdemeanor-level crime will be evaluated for disqualification.


Employment
Automatic

Dishonorably discharged from the armed services.

Potential

Work history shows a pattern of unexcused absences, discipline, or discharge.

Financial
Potential

Financial affairs or personal life shows a history of poor judgment (e.g., nonpayment of child support, ignoring overdue bills, failure to pay taxes, etc.).

Other
Automatic

Affiliations with extremist groups or organizations that would discredit the law enforcement profession and/or Whatcom County.

Contact Information

Whatcom County Sheriff's Office - Patrol Deputy

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

Website
Facebook


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

PST Personal History Statement: Yes, required within 14 days of passing required exam(s)


Other Whatcom County Sheriff's Office positions

Corrections Deputy