What Do Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs enforce law and order in rural or unincorporated districts or serve legal processes of courts. May patrol courthouse, guard court or grand jury, or escort defendants. They also investigate illegal or suspicious activities.

Other tasks include:

• Drive vehicles or patrol specific areas to detect law violators, issue citations, and make arrests.
• Take control of accident scenes to maintain traffic flow, to assist accident victims, and to investigate causes.
• Verify that the proper legal charges have been made against law offenders.
• Record daily activities and submit logs and other related reports and paperwork to appropriate authorities.
• Execute arrest warrants, locating and taking persons into custody.
• Supervise law enforcement staff, such as jail staff, officers, and deputy sheriffs.

We asked Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 72% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

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On a daily basis, Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs record daily activities and submit logs and other related reports and paperwork to appropriate authorities. They drive vehicles or patrol specific areas to detect law violators, issue citations, and make arrests.

A typical day for a Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff will also include:

• Verify that the proper legal charges have been made against law offenders.
• Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
• Serve statements of claims, subpoenas, summonses, jury summonses, orders to pay alimony, and other court orders.
• Supervise law enforcement staff, such as jail staff, officers, and deputy sheriffs.
• Question individuals entering secured areas to determine their business, directing and rerouting individuals as necessary.

We asked some Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Besides their typical day, Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs also execute arrest warrants, locating and taking persons into custody. They may also take control of accident scenes to maintain traffic flow, to assist accident victims, and to investigate causes.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Place people in protective custody. They might also Notify patrol units to take violators into custody or to provide needed assistance or medical aid.

In addition, they Serve statements of claims, subpoenas, summonses, jury summonses, orders to pay alimony, and other court orders.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Locate and confiscate real or personal property, as directed by court order.

To some Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs, it is also their responsibility to Transport or escort prisoners and defendants en route to courtrooms, prisons or jails, attorneys’ offices, or medical facilities.

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.