Sheriffs' Office - Employment

The Laramie County Sheriffs' Office, located in Cheyenne, Wyoming provides law enforcement for the unincorporated areas in Laramie County. In addition, the Department operates the only twenty-four hour detention facility within the county, holding local, state and federal inmates. The Department presently has 150 full-time employees, with 115 of those positions being held by commissioned patrol and detention deputies.

The position of Deputy Sheriff within the Laramie County Sheriffs' Office, as with most Sheriffs' Offices across the country, has two different but primary functions. One function is that of the Detention Deputy who works within the detention facility and provides for the security and well-being of the inmates held there. The other is that of the Patrol Deputy who fulfills the law enforcement and general peacekeeping tasks normally assigned with the patrol functions.

Detention and Patrol Deputies are sent to the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy, at the department's expense, to attend the WLEA basic courses for officer certification within one (1) year of being hired. Detention Deputies attend an eight-week course in which the deputy learns the basic skills to function effectively in a detention facility. Patrol Deputies attend a thirteen-week course in which the Deputy learns basic skills to function effectively in the patrol bureau. At the completion of this course, the Deputy is certified by the State of Wyoming as a Detention or Patrol Deputy. It is important to note that requirements for successful completion of any Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy (WLEA), Basic Academy include these critical skill areas: Physical Fitness Assessment, Custody and Control, Firearms Qualification, and Wyoming Criminal Law and Procedures. Failure to successfully complete any of these areas could result in not completing WLEA Basic and potential termination from this agency.

Reserve Officers are non-paid volunteers who assist in a number of Peace Officer and/or Detention functions. All Reserve Deputie es undergo the exact hiring process as all Patrol and Detention Deputies. Additionally, if not already Wyoming POST Certified as a PeacOfficer or Detention Officer, all reserves must become POST Certified within two (2) years of starting as a Reserve Officer.

In addition to basic training, the Laramie County Sheriffs' Office requires its Deputies to go through a Field Training and Evaluation Program.

During this training, the new Deputy is paired with Field Training Officers (FTO's) who work with the new Deputy in learning his or her job. The FTO's complete daily evaluations on their performance and recommend whether or not he/she advance to solo status as a Detention or Patrol Deputy. Failure to complete the FTO Program may result in Termination.

The Laramie County Detention Center was opened in 1989 with a subsequent expansion in 2003. Detention Deputies work within various housing units (pods) where they directly supervise the activities of the inmates assigned to the pod. The Laramie County Sheriff's Department takes pride in operating as efficient and safe detention facility where a non-threatening environment prevails.

Persons currently certified, either in Wyoming or other states, may not need to attend some or all of the basic academies. This depends on the length and type of academy attended, dates of law enforcement employment and other factors. However, Wyoming Peace Officer's Standards and Training (POST) will require certified out-of-state applicants to pass a challenge exam and/or other requirements to achieve Wyoming Certification, as well as attendance at specified courses.

Full-time, Non-Probationary, Deputy Sheriff's within the State of Wyoming are protected by state statute* from arbitrary dismissal by a sheriff. The law states, "A Deputy Sheriff shall not be discharged from employment, reduced in rank or suspended without pay EXCEPT FOR CAUSE, and after notice and opportunity for a hearing.

*W.S.S. 18-3-611. Sheriffs office employees; removal from office; hearings

PAY AND BENEFITS

The Laramie County Sheriffs' Office has a compensation plan that is designed to provide progression based on performance. Previous experience and certification may be considered.

The pay scale and benefits are the same for Detention and Patrol Deputies. The current pay range is $2,992 to $4,049 per month. Those individuals who are certified in Wyoming or "challengeable" through Wyoming Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) may be eligible to start at a higher negotiated salary, based on experience and required training documentation.

Promotional opportunities exist in Detention and Patrol with the ranks of Corporal (in Detention), Sergeant, and Lieutenant, as positions become available. Factors in rank progression include, but may not be limited to, Department qualification and competitive examination.

The County of Laramie participates in Wyoming Retirement System, an organization that provides coverage for approximately 30,000 public employees. Laramie County contributes to its employees retirement plan at the rate of 11.25% based on the employee's gross earnings.Deputy Sheriff's are then required to contribute to the retirement plan, an additional 5.95% based on their gross earnings.

Deputies are eligible to retire at 50% of their pay (based on an average of their five highest years of income) upon reaching a minimum of twenty years of service. Each year of service past the twenty-year minimum adds 2.5% to their retirement benefit with a maximum of 75% benefits for thirty years of service. Death and disability benefits are included in the retirement plan.

Other benefits include HMO (Win Health Partners) Medical and Dental (Delta Dental) coverage with family coverage costing the employee $138 to $165 per month, depending on the type of family unit. The single employee's coverage is $69 per month charge. With the medical plan, a visit to a participating doctor is a $15 co-pay charge. An emergency room visit would be a $75 co-pay charge. With the Win Health Partners, and Delta Dental Plans, members must use a participating doctor or benefits are substantially reduced.

The medical plan also includes a vision plan that pays $40 toward the cost of an eye vision examination and $100 toward the purchase of prescription eyewear. Two yearly dental checkups are not subject to a co-pay charge and current eligibility is subject to determination by Delta Dental. The county also provides a free $25,000 life insurance policy for each employee.

Sick leave accumulates at the rate of 10 hours per month; Vacation is earned at the beginning rate of 8 hours per month with increase every four, nine, fourteen, and nineteen years. Employees can eventually earn up to 16 hours vacation per month after 19 years of service. The county has approved approximately 84 hours of paid holidays per year.

Compensation and Benefits are approved by the Laramie County Commissioners, and may be subject to change. General Descriptions of promotional and pay opportunities are not to be constructed as a promise of any kind.

DEPUTY SHERIFF'S POSITION - SELECTION PROCESS

INITIAL EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

1. General Knowledge Written Examination (By Wyoming Peace Officers Standards and Training)

2. Physical Fitness for Training Assessment (Based on Wyoming Law EnforcementAcademy Standards - Copies of Male and Female Assessment Standards are attached)

3. Oral Interview

4. Extensive Background Investigation 5. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

A CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT MAY BE OFFERED AFTER SUCCESSFULLY PASSING STEPS 1-5

CONDITIONAL OFFER SCREENING

1. Pre-Employment Polygraph Examination

2. Medical Examination

3. Psychological Examination

4. Drug Screening

5. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

As of: February 25, 2005

SUBJECT: Fitness Standards for Entry Level Employment with the Laramie County Sheriffs' Office.

All standard are based on the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy (WLEA) required entry-level minimums (for Peace Officer and Detention Basics).

MALE ENTRY LEVEL

FEMALE ENTRY LEVEL

NOTE: Numbers listed for each event indicate minimum number of repetitions to meet WLEA 40% standard for each event. Numbers for the run indicates the time standard to reach to 40% level for that event.

• Application Process:

• Applications and Screening Form (which must be notorized) must be completely filled out; incomplete or illegible applications will not be processed. Please print in black ink or type only. Applicants must indicate on the original application their preference for Patrol, Detention, or Reserve position.
• This application and its attachments are official property of this agency and will not be returned. You should retain a copy for your own future reference. After receipt of the application, you will be sent information Regarding location and time of ENTRY LEVEL TESTING. Applications are kept on file for one year from date of entry level testing. It is your responsibility to notify the Department Personnel Officer of any address or phone number changes.

Employment Information:

The Laramie County Sheriffs' Office has no requirement or obligation to hire any individual. Disqualafication for employment consideration may occur at any phase of the hiring process. Laramie County is an equal opportunity employer.

Applications may be left at the front desk during normal business hours or mailed to:

Laramie County Sheriffs Department
Personnel/Training Bureau
1910 Pioneer Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82001

Additional information may obtained by contacting:

Personnel/Training
Gerald Luce
gluce@laramiecounty.com
Telephone: 307-633-4725

Download an application