Whether you’re looking for a career in Forensic Science, Undercover Narcotics, or Community Policing, we offer a diverse choice of specialized professions designed to provide our citizens with the finest service and protection available.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department currently employs over 550 uniformed officers, making it one of the largest departments in the state. We offer deputies a wide choice of career opportunities, the finest training, and tremendous potential for advancement. A few of the distinct branches of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are Narcotics, Investigations, Forensics, Boat Patrol, Dive Team, Special Operations Response Team, Bomb Squad, K-9 Unit, Crime Prevention, Training Instructors, School Resource Officers, Community Police Officers, Victims Assistance Officers, Public Information, and Deputy Sheriff III.
Our Department offers the successful candidate the potential for great personal satisfaction though having a strong positive effect on the community.
Our program of intense Community Oriented Policing, directs our officers to become involved with the community at levels far beyond the mere “react to a complaint” philosophy of yesteryear. In our program, officers become members of the community themselves. The goal is simply to form a united front, citizens and law enforcement, against criminals.
The hiring process has two starting points, one for those prospective employees who live in South Carolina, and one for those who live outside of South Carolina.
The application for Deputy Sheriff and Judicial Service Officer are available in PDF format. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can get it from the Adobe website.
In-state applicants
In-State applicants are STRONGLY advised to attend pre-employment orientation at the Richland County Sheriff’s Department any Tuesday morning (excluding holidays) at 10:00am.
The Department is located at 5623 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29223. Starting at 10:00am, all participants will report to the press room where a representative of the Department will review the application and the application process.
Duties and responsibilities of both the Deputy position and the Judicial Service Officer position will be discussed as well as salaries and health benefits. This process will take approximately 35 minutes. Pen and paper for taking notes may be helpful.
Out of state applicants
Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the instructions carefully that are included with the application. Failure to do so will result in needless delays and possible outright rejection of your application. Our mailing address is :
Richland County Sheriff’s Department
5623 Two Notch Road
Columbia, SC 29223.
Any candidate interested in obtaining information on job vacancies and receiving an application can attend an employment orientation every Tuesday (except County Holidays) at 10:00 a.m. at our headquarters at 5623 Two Notch Road.
If there are any questions concerning the hiring process, please contact Major James Stewart at (803) 576-3045 or by email at jstewart@rcsd.net