The Sheriff’s Department is responsible for law enforcement in many counties across America. Deputies and officers are selected from a pool of applicants after they attend an academy that can last anywhere between three days to several weeks, depending upon the county you apply for work with. The first step towards becoming a deputy or officer is to take the written exam that will be administered by a board that consists of both current deputies as well as retired sheriff’s department employees.
There are two main types of exams used to determine which individuals are qualified to become a deputy or officer within their particular departments. One type of test is called the “Uniform Written Examination” (UWE). This exam is administered once every four years and includes multiple choice questions, essay questions, and other writing exercises. It is important to note that the UWE exam covers different aspects of law enforcement than the “Law Enforcement Officer Selection Process,” also known as the LEOSP. The LEOSP is what is used in many larger cities and states where there are more than one agency conducting background checks on potential candidates. This process differs from most others in that it does not include a written exam; rather, it is conducted through interviews and polygraph examinations.
Many applicants who wish to become a deputy or officer will attempt to pass the LEOSP before taking the UWE. Many agencies have a policy that if an applicant passes the LEOSP, he/she will automatically receive employment with the agency. However, this may not always be the case. The LEOSP is much more difficult than the UWE. Not only are the tests longer, but the interviewers will often ask applicants about sensitive topics such as drug use, criminal records, personal relationships, etc. Additionally, some of these applicants may have passed the UWE, but failed the LEOSP because of extenuating circumstances that were out of their control. If you find yourself in this situation, it would be wise to contact the hiring authority at your prospective department to discuss the situation further. You could end up being hired anyway, but you will need to prove to them that passing the LEOSP was not feasible due to circumstances outside of your control.
Another question regarding the LEOSP is whether or not the results will be kept confidential. For instance, if you are applying to become an officer with the Montgomery County Police Department, the information will be kept under wraps. But if you’re applying to become a deputy with the same department, then your application will be made available to any and all agencies within the county as long as you don’t disclose your identity.
The other type of exam is the National Standardized Written Examination (NSWE), also known as the “Standardized Written Exam.” Although the NSWE is less common than the UWE, it is still used in certain situations. In fact, it is quite common for many police departments throughout the country to administer the NSWE. The NSWE is administered annually and has been around since the early 1970s. It is used primarily in large metropolitan areas like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Philadelphia, Miami, and Atlanta.
One of the reasons why the NSWE is so popular is because it contains similar questions to those found in the UWE. However, it is significantly easier to memorize the answers to these questions. Additionally, the NSWE is shorter and more focused on the job skills needed to successfully perform the various duties associated with a law enforcement position. The good news is that if you do decide to take the NSWE, you should be able to pass it without too much difficulty. However, if you do fail to pass, you will probably need to retake the exam until you succeed.
Although the NSWE is considered the “easier” exam and is used more frequently in certain parts of the country, it is important to remember that it is just as valid as the UWE. Both exams are created by the same organizations, meaning that the knowledge and skills tested are very similar. There are also many similarities between the written portion of the UWE and the NSWE. The major difference between the two tests is that it is possible to prepare for the NSWE more thoroughly than the UWE. While it may seem counterintuitive, you should try to study for the NSWE while you’re preparing for the UWE. This way, when the time comes for you to take the test, you won’t feel as though you’ve wasted your time studying for the wrong exam.
Once you’ve decided to pursue a career in law enforcement, the next step towards securing employment with a specific agency is to take the appropriate exam. Whether it’s the UWE or the NSWE, the results will help you get started on the right foot. Good luck!
If the person wishes to become an officer then it requires a lot of struggle. A person should collect the detail of the dosen for sheriff. The task of a person will not end here he must be aware of the various exams that he have to clear to get the best results.
Learn more about the Sheriff’s Department Written Exam.
If you’d like to know how to increase your chances of getting employed with the Sheriff’s Department, learn more about the Law Enforcement Officer Selection Process.