Police jobs at the county level are available in positions as varied as county sheriff, deputy, and corrections. Deputy sheriff jobs are similar to those of officers in city police departments. Sheriffs' departments tend to be small in sparsely-populated counties, with typically with about 50 sworn officers employed. The sheriff position itself is often an elected office.

Local courts and correctional facilities normally employ law enforcement officers at the county level. Sheriff's deputies who provide security in city and county courts are called bailiffs, and correctional officers employed by the county may oversee individuals detained in penitentiaries, jails, or reformatories.

Career Outlook for County Police Jobs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that police and sheriffs' patrol officers earned median annual incomes of $47,460 in May 2006, while bailiffs' were $34,210 and median annual earnings of supervisory correctional officers were $52,580. Overtime hours vary by location and may contribute significantly to the officers' bottom lines.

While no career training program can guarantee a particular job or salary in law enforcement, formal training is often preferred or required. The BLS reports that some state and local corrections agencies require college credits or degrees. Criminal justice degrees or similar career training may be recommended for deputy sheriff positions in areas with keen job competition.