Many deputy sheriff positions do not require the use of a patrol vehicle. Radio operator, corrections officer, and desk sergeant are just a few examples. While the patrol officer is visible to the public on a daily basis, many deputy sheriff jobs go unnoticed. Deputy sheriff jobs such as cooks, mechanics, and counselors are vital despite their relatively unknown status.
A deputy sheriff’s office functions similarly to a small self-contained municipality. For nearly every task imaginable, there is an employee. Employees behind the scenes keep the sheriff’s office running smoothly as those performing highly visible deputy sheriff jobs complete their assigned duties.
When a call comes in to the station, the desk sergeant decides which patrol squad should respond to the situation. The responsibility for dispatching a patrol is passed to another deputy sheriff job, the radio dispatch operator, once the decision to dispatch a patrol has been made. The radio operator not only summons the patrol and informs them of the situation, but also keeps track of who is dispatched to which location and for how long. Maintaining a record of patrol activities is another of the deputy sheriff’s responsibilities.
When a radio operator notices that a patrol has been out of service for an extended period of time at a particular location, a call is placed to the patrol officer asking for an update on the officer’s status. Knowing what is going on with each patrol officer at any given minute is one of the most important deputy sheriff jobs. If a status check goes unanswered, another patrol is dispatched to ensure the safety of the unresponsive patrol.
When a violator is booked into a local jail, the corrections staff is responsible for caring for and monitoring the inmate. This group of employees is widely regarded as having one of the most difficult and dangerous jobs among all deputy sheriffs. The jail’s corrections officers have direct contact with the inmates. These employees are responsible for maintaining order, well-being, and proper behavior in what is often an overcrowded and hostile environment.
Corrections officers frequently accompany jail inmates to court hearings and, if the situation warrants, to medical appointments. Calming a person’s temper when he or she becomes enraged, as well as breaking up fights and disagreements, are tasks that are completed on a daily basis. All of these tasks are completed with the officer being vastly outnumbered by the inmates in most cases.