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If you previously applied within the last six months, you are not eligible to re-apply until six months from your written test date. Contact gnelson@howardcountymd.gov with questions.
Howard County Sheriffs Office
Lateral Deputy Sheriff
The Howard County Sheriffs Office is a nationally accredited agency of approximately 100 employees, sworn and civilian, dedicated to creating a better quality of life for the citizens of Howard County. The mission of the Howard County Sheriff's Office is to provide judicial enforcement and physical security for the Circuit Court, to provide a variety of quality services for citizens, and to assist other law enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order in Howard County.
Our Deputies demonstrate the highest standards and are guided by the agency’s values: Professionalism, Integrity, and Service
Professionalism- We are committed to providing professional law enforcement services by highly trained personnel.
Integrity- We are committed to demonstrating and maintaining the highest ethical standards both personally and organizationally.
Service- Our goal is to ensure the preservation of a positive and professional working relationship between law enforcement and the community which we serve.
The department is currently looking for ambitious Deputy Sheriffs that have worked in a full-service law enforcement agency who have completed probation and are seeking new careers in law enforcement. Applicants must be Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC) certified - OR - meet comparative compliance standards.
Comparative Compliance Standards include:
- Minimum of 750 hours of academy training (not including firearms, field training, or in-service training) to meet COMAR and MPCTC requirements
- Records and documentation proving academy verification, graduation, and successful completion of a police academy
- Must currently be in good-standing with agency or have retired in good-standing within 2 years of application
If you are interested in joining one of the most progressive Sheriffs Office in the country, you must submit an online application and successfully complete a physical agility test, personal history questionnaire, oral interview, polygraph examination, background investigation, psychological screening, and medical examination.
A completed physician's authorization form is required to participate in the physical ability testing.
Minimum Requirements:
- US Citizen
- at least 21 years of age
- Completed probation and one and a half years with a full -service law enforcement agency
- Possess a current MPCTC certificate – or – satisfy Comparative Compliance standards
- Possession of high school diploma or GED (high school equivalency Certificate)
- Possess a valid driver’s license
Automatic Disqualifications
- Felony convictions
- Serious misdemeanor convictions, defined as any crime that would carry more than 1-year incarceration
- Convicted or otherwise found guilty of selling, manufacturing, or distributing a controlled dangerous substance, narcotic drug, or marijuana
- Illegally sold, produced, cultivated, distributed, or transported a controlled dangerous substance, narcotic drug, or marijuana
- Illegally used a controlled dangerous substance, narcotic drug, or marijuana while employed to enforce federal, state, or local law by any government entity
- Use of heroin, phencyclidine (PCP), or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
- CDS usage within three (3) years prior to the start of the academy (not including Marijuana)
- CDS usage of no more than five (5) times lifetime or once since turning twenty-one (21) years of age ( not including marijuana)
- No Marijuana usage within one (1) year of the start of the academy
- DUI/DWI within the past five (5) years
- More than three (3) current points on driver’s license
- Bad conduct or dishonorable discharge from the military
- Visible tattoos on the head, neck, face, or hands (waivers may be requested in writing for visible tattoos, body art, or brands)
- Visible, intentional, body mutilation, piercing, intentional branding or scarring
Salary/Benefits
- Starting salary: $63,827 (eff. 7/1/2026)
- Health, dental and life insurance
- Vacation, disability and personal leave
- Retirement plan (after 20 years of service)
- All equipment and uniforms provided, including Bi-yearly shoe allowance
- Free dry cleaning services
- Take-home Sheriff vehicles
- Up to $3,000 multi-lingual specialty pay (annually)
- Night shift differential pay
- Specialty pay for many assignments outside of patrol
- 457b deferred compensation plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Career development programs
Application Process
- Application on PoliceApp
- Completion of a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)
- Physical Agility Test
- Oral Interview
- Polygraph Exam
- Background Investigation
- Psychological Exam
- Pre-employment Medical Evaluation (this step follows a conditional final offer of employment)
- Qualify with Agency's Firearm
For More Information, Visit https://www.howardcountymd.gov/sheriffs-office or call 410-313-4210
Please direct questions regarding this position to gnelson@howardcountymd.gov
About Law Enforcement Jobs
Jobs close at 11:59 PM (Eastern) on the deadline date specified, or when the position capacity has been met, or unless otherwise specified in the announcement. If the deadline date is not specified in the announcement, the agency has sole discretion on setting the deadline and jobs may close without notice. It is the applicant's responsibility to thoroughly read and understand the deadline requirements and capacity limits as outlined by the agency.
Applicants are responsible for checking their email and logging into their PoliceApp account to monitor for updates.