What does a deputy do?
The duties of a deputy vary on their line of work or place of employment. In law enforcement, a deputy is primarily in charge of conducting investigations on crimes and arresting criminals, performing regular patrols on streets, responding to calls of distress, and assisting citizens in calamities, disasters, accidents, or any forms of threat. There are also instances when a deputy must serve court documents, transport detainees or suspected criminals, and monitor courtrooms. Furthermore, a deputy reports to higher-ranking officers such as a sheriff.
Deputy responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real deputy resumes:
- Hire and manage credit officers responsible for Citigroup's new commodity derivatives business in Houston.
- Service warrants, subpoenas and evictions, supervise interstate extraditions on special assignments.
- POST certify, weapons certification, first aid and CPR certification.
- Take part in ongoing training and firearms qualifications provide by the department in accordance with state regulations.
- Restrain, secure, or control offenders, using chemical agents, firearms, or other weapons of force as necessary.
- Evaluate the performance of assign firefighting personnel.
- Perform clerical duties, including distribution and recording of subpoenas.
- Administer basic emergency first aid and cardio pulmonary resuscitation as needed.
- Train probationer deputies/officers in patrol techniques, citizen interaction techniques and report writing.
- Patrol assign areas for evidence of forbidden activates infraction of rules, and unsatisfactory attitude or adjustment of prisoners.
- Used industry tools such as handcuffs, handguns, notebook, computers, police vehicles, surveillance video and audio recorders.CPR ,
- Investigate a wide range of persons for daytime and evening locations to effectively track and deliver summonses.
- Conduct local prisoner transportation, participate in DUI checkpoints as a line officer and investigate crimes on county property.
- Provide court room security, finger print, take DNA from suspects both felony and misdemeanor charges.
- Traffic deputy specializing in DUI enforcement and investigations.
Deputy skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Deputies are proficient in Patrol, Public Safety, and Transport Inmates. They’re also known for soft skills such as Empathy, Good judgment, and Leadership skills.
We break down the percentage of Deputies that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patrol, 20%
Performed law enforcement duties, including road patrol, Aggressive Crime Enforcement Unit participation, and community-oriented policing.
- Public Safety, 9%
Advised on issues regarding public safety, economic development, and nonprofit organizations.
- Transport Inmates, 6%
Provide courtroom security and transport inmates to appropriate facility.
- Emergency Situations, 5%
Responded to emergency situations providing immediate and professional assistance to victims of criminal actions.
- CPR, 5%
Used industry tools such as handcuffs, handguns, notebook, computers, police vehicles, surveillance video and audio recorders.CPR,
- Federal Laws, 5%
Answered calls for incidents such as crimes against persons, property as well as other state and federal laws.
Most deputies use their skills in "patrol," "public safety," and "transport inmates" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential deputy responsibilities here:
Empathy. The most essential soft skill for a deputy to carry out their responsibilities is empathy. This skill is important for the role because "police officers need to understand the perspectives of a variety of people in their jurisdiction and be willing to help the public." Additionally, a deputy resume shows how their duties depend on empathy: "clear understanding of what defines domestic violence and protocol for handling dv cases. "
Good judgment. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling deputy duties is good judgment. The role rewards competence in this skill because "police and detectives must be able to determine the best way to solve an array of problems." According to a deputy resume, here's how deputies can utilize good judgment in their job responsibilities: "draft orders and judgments in civil and criminal cases for the judge's approval. "
Leadership skills. deputies are also known for leadership skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to deputy responsibilities, because "police officers must be comfortable with being a highly visible member of their community, as the public looks to them for help in emergencies." A deputy resume example shows how leadership skills is used in the workplace: "provided technical knowledge, policy expertise, operational skills, and advocacy for emergency response to senior dod and interagency leadership. "
Communication skills. For certain deputy responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a deputy rely on this skill, as "police and detectives must be able to speak with people and to express details in writing about an incident." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what deputies do: "maintained proficiency in firearms, defensive tactics, communication, and leadership skills. "
Physical strength. A commonly-found skill in deputy job descriptions, "physical strength" is essential to what deputies do. Deputy responsibilities rely on this skill because "police officers must be strong enough to physically apprehend suspects and to assist people in precarious situations." You can also see how deputy duties rely on physical strength in this resume example: "responded to all emergency situations, whether it may be medical or physical disturbances. "
The three companies that hire the most deputys are:
- Raytheon Technologies10 deputies jobs
- United States Courts8 deputies jobs
- Bank of America4 deputies jobs
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Compare different deputies
Deputy vs. Military police officer
A military police officer is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the areas assigned for their duly protection. Military police officers monitor their premises efficiently, inspecting suspicious individuals within the territory, and enforcing strict legislation protocols and military regulations for everyone's compliance. They locate security breaches, assist with law enforcement investigations, provide battlefield support, and coordinate with other law institutions and citizens for security enhancement. A military police officer must have extensive knowledge with state procedures and military rules, performing various duties, and maintaining peace and order.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a deputy are more likely to require skills like "transport inmates," "federal laws," "law enforcement agencies," and "human resources." On the other hand, a job as a military police officer requires skills like "order operations," "law enforcement patrols," "combat," and "control traffic." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that military police officers earn slightly differ from deputies. In particular, military police officers are 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a deputy. Additionally, they're 2.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Deputy vs. Police officer
Police officers are responsible for keeping peace and security in a community. They uphold and enforce the law. They ensure that people in their assigned community follow the law. They also ensure that proper sanctions are given out to anyone who does not follow. Some police officers are assigned in the field, meaning they work outside of police stations. Those assigned to police stations are responsible for maintaining administrative matters as well, aside from maintaining peace and order. Police officers are expected to be trustworthy, to work with honor, and to keep their integrity intact.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, deputy responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "transport inmates," "motor vehicle," "human resources," and "emergency calls." Meanwhile, a police officer has duties that require skills in areas such as "field training," "police academy," "criminal justice," and "motor vehicle accidents." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, police officers earn a lower salary than deputies. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, police officers earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $53,822. Whereas deputies have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $53,877.police officers earn lower levels of education than deputies in general. They're 6.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Deputy vs. Patrol officer
The job of patrol officers is to enforce ordinances, laws, prevent crime, control crowds, arrest violators, and regulate traffic. They also perform other duties that may include monitoring an assigned area for unauthorized or suspicious activity, responding to reports of emergencies and possible crime such as robberies, and building good relationships with community members. To be a successful patrol officer, you should have solid judgment, excellent communication skills, and decision-making skills in stressful situations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, deputies are more likely to have skills like "transport inmates," "motor vehicle," "human resources," and "emergency calls." But a patrol officer is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "safety hazards," "property damage," and "police academy."
Patrol officers earn the highest salary when working in the government industry, where they receive an average salary of $39,608. Comparatively, deputies have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $53,877.Most patrol officers achieve a lower degree level compared to deputies. For example, they're 7.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Deputy vs. Loss prevention associate
A loss prevention associate is responsible for monitoring the organization's daily operations, maintaining the safety and security of all network systems to avoid data theft. Loss prevention associates take immediate actions on all related suspicious activities that would compromise the company's reputation and financial status. They regularly check surveillance technologies to maintain asset protection and operational stability at all times. A loss prevention associate should have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, especially on writing incident reports and escalating unusual activities to the management for immediate resolution.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between deputies and loss prevention associates, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a deputy might have more use for skills like "public safety," "transport inmates," "cpr," and "federal laws." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of loss prevention associates require skills like "customer service," "safety standards," "loss prevention," and "safety inspections. "
The utilities industry tends to pay the highest salaries for loss prevention associates, with average annual pay of $34,406. Comparatively, the highest deputy annual salary comes from the manufacturing industry.In general, loss prevention associates hold lower degree levels compared to deputies. Loss prevention associates are 9.8% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of deputy
Updated January 8, 2025
