CountyofSB.org 
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are you currently testing and hiring?
A: Yes. We are actively recruitment for the Sheriff’s Deputy Trainee and Custody Deputy positions. These recruitments are conducted as ongoing recruitments. The PAT and written exam testing process is conducted throughout the year, approximately every 3-4 months. Recruitments for Professional Civilian Staff positions are recruited for based on the business need. For a listed of our Current Job Openings CLICK HERE.
Q: How can I submit an application?
A: Please visit Join SBSO – Apply Now for a list of our current job openings.
Q: What does the physical agility test include?
A: The physical agility test (PAT) is required for entry-level sworn positions. PAT modules vary based on the physical requirements of the job. More specific details are available at Physical Preparation.
Q: What does the Sheriff’s Deputy Trainee and Custody Deputy written examination include?
A: Sheriff’s Deputy Trainee written examination is the POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Battery (PELLETB). To prepare for the PELLETB examination CLICK HERE to review the Applicant Preparation Guide for the PELLETB.
A: Custody Deputy written examination is the entry level Adult Corrections Officer. To prepare for the written exam CLICK HERE to review the Preparing For An Examination Guide.
Q: How long is the background investigation hiring process?
A: Most candidates complete the background investigation process in 2-3 months. The duration of the background process may vary on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Will I receive a salary and benefits while attending an Academy?
A: Yes. You start earning a salary upon your hire date; benefits will be effective at the beginning of the month that immediately follows the employee’s first pay period of employment in a regular position.
Q: How long is an Academy?
A. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office currently sends recruits to several tri-county academies.
The Allan Hancock Basic Law Enforcement Academy is a 21- week (836 hour) intensive academy. CLICK HERE for frequently asked questions.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Training Academy conducts a 22-week California POST accredited program. CLICK HERE to review the website.
The Allan Hancock Core Custody Academy is a 6 week course of 176 hours of STC mandated training and approximately 40 hours of additional training. CLICK HERE frequently asked questions.
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Goleta Holding DUI Checkpoint April 4, 2026. Read more here:
Goleta Holding DUI Checkpoint April 4, 2026 – Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office
Proud to Protect and Serve Santa Barbara County The men and women of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office ...
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The work of the Bomb Squad is painstaking and methodical, requiring extreme patience, specialized training, and attention to detail. These deputies are called when situations are at their most dangerous, and their careful, deliberate approach is what keeps everyone safe.
Out in Cuyama, things look a little different. 🌄
Our Cuyama substation is staffed by resident deputies — meaning they don’t just patrol this community, they live here. They know the backroads, the ranches, the families, and the history.
In a rural area where backup can be miles away, relationships matter. And in Cuyama, those relationships run deep. 🤝
Small station. Big commitment.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office invites community members to join Deputy Morrell, the new Community Resource Deputy assigned to Isla Vista, and Lieutenant Schmidt for coffee on Thursday, March 19, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Kozy Coffee – 6560 Pardall Rd.
This informal event provides an opportunity for residents, students, and local business owners to meet with Deputy Morrell and Lieutenant Schmidt, ask questions, share concerns, and learn more about public safety efforts in Isla Vista. Deputy Morrell and Lieutenant Schmidt will also answer questions related to Deltopia and the revised noise ordinance.
Working together to keep our community safe. 🤝🔒
Members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office recently partnered with the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County to provide facility safety training for their team. Trainings like this focus on practical strategies for recognizing potential threats, improving situational awareness, and strengthening emergency preparedness so staff feel confident responding to a variety of situations.
Strong community partnerships are a key part of public safety. By collaborating with organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs, we can help ensure the spaces where local youth learn, grow, and spend time after school remain safe and prepared. 💙
#SBSheriff #CommunityPartnerships #SafetyTraining #BoysAndGirlsClub
📚💚 Today, our team joined the students at @herewegrowelc Preschool to celebrate Read Across America with a special story time.
Moments like these are a great opportunity to connect with kids in a positive way and encourage a lifelong love of reading. Thank you to our friends at Here We Grow for welcoming us into your classroom! 📖✨
#ReadAcrossAmerica #CommunityConnection #SBSheriff #ReadingMatters
When tragedy strikes on our roadways, answers matter. ⚠️
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Major Accident Response Team (SMART) responds to serious injury and fatal collisions with one goal: to determine exactly what happened. ⭐️🚓
These highly trained deputies use advanced investigative techniques including scene mapping, total station measurements, evidence documentation, vehicle inspections, and data retrieval from onboard vehicle systems. Every tire mark, debris field, point of rest, and impact angle is carefully analyzed to reconstruct the sequence of events with precision and professionalism.
Their work is methodical, scientific, and often painstaking. It can take hours at the scene and weeks of follow-up analysis. But for victims, families, and the courts, accuracy matters.
Behind the traffic cones and flashing lights is a team committed to facts, accountability, and bringing clarity during some of the most difficult moments our community faces.
#SBSO #TrafficSafety #CrashInvestigation #PublicSafety
*UPDATE: class is full- stay tuned for the next offering 📺*🚔✨ Ever wondered what happens behind the badge?
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for our Community Academy—a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement in Santa Barbara County!
👮♂️ What you’ll experience:
📜 History of law enforcement
⚖️ Criminal law & patrol tactics
🗣️ De-escalation communication
🧪 Forensic evidence collection
This program is perfect for community members who want to learn more about the Sheriff’s Office—or anyone considering a future in law enforcement. Get an inside look at what it truly takes to serve and protect our communities.
📅 Class Schedule:
🗓️ Begins Monday, March 2, 2026
⏰ Mondays from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. through May 4, 2026
📍 Primarily at the Lompoc Substation, with some sessions in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria
🎉 Graduation BBQ/Luncheon: Saturday, May 9, 2026
⚠️ Space is limited and classes fill quickly!
📝 Apply by Monday, February 16, 2026
🔞 Must be 18 years or older
👉 Apply now at www.sbsheriff.org or email 📧 CommunityAcademy@sbsheriff.org with questions.
🚓 Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting and educational experience!
Congratulations to Acting Lieutenant Neil Gowing (center) on graduating from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute! 🎓👏 This achievement reflects months of intensive leadership training focused on ethical decision-making, effective supervision, accountability, and leading with integrity. We’re proud of Acting Lieutenant Gowing’s commitment to professional growth and thankful for the leadership he brings back to our agency and the community we serve. 💙🚓
