FAQ

Restraining orders are obtained from a County Magistrate.  Typically a magistrate will require that an incident report has been generated by law enforcement prior to issuing a restraining order.  Please report any incidents to the proper jurisdiction and have that case number available when requesting a restraining order.  Restraining orders have to be obtained from the Magistrate’s Office where the subject to be served lives.  Visit this page and enter the address of the subject to determine the appropriate court.

• When a Deputy Sheriff signals for you to pull over:
• Pull over as far to the right as safely possible. This allows the officer to walk safely to your car.
• Turn off the ignition.
• If the traffic stop occurs at night, turn on the interior lights of your car so the officer can see.
• Place your hands on the steering wheel until the officer can make a safety evaluation as he/she approaches your car.
• Avoid making any sudden or reaching movements.
• Always follow the officer’s instructions.
• Please stay in your vehicle unless directed by the officer to get out of your car.
• Do not assume that the officer knows that you are the perfect, law-abiding citizen. Law Enforcement can be dangerous work. Officers must be cautious at all times.
• If you are carrying a weapon advise the officer of the weapon and its location. Do Not attempt to retrieve the weapon for the officer.
• Being stopped at night, particularly along a dark stretch of road, can heighten the tension for a motorist and an officer. Officers do not object to drivers proceeding to the nearest well lit area. Simply acknowledge the officer by turning on your flashers and drive at a reduced speed.
• If asked to step out of the car, walk to the rear of your vehicle to the side away from the traffic, or as directed by the officer, using the car as a barrier between you and on-coming cars.
• The officer will ask you for three important pieces of information, your drivers license, automobile registration, and proof of insurance. The officer will explain the reason for the traffic stop.
• Please do not attempt to argue with the officer. This may only increase the tension in an already stressful situation.
• Depending upon why the officer felt it was necessary to initiate a traffic stop you may, or may not, be given a citation, warning ticket, or verbal warning. If you receive a citation you will be advised of a court date, which allows you the opportunity to take your case before a judge. Certain traffic violations require that if charged you are taken into custody and must appear before a magistrate.
• Once business with the officer is finished, you should merge, with caution, back into the flow of traffic.

How much does it cost to go to the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy?
Nothing! There is no cost to personnel attending the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Personnel must be employed full time by a law enforcement agency and have satisfied a background investigation.

I am a certified officer from another state. Will South Carolina recognize my certification or will I have to go back through the full academy?
The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy does recognize law enforcement certifications from out of state, as well as military law enforcement certifications. However, the Academy must do a training review from your academies training curriculum. Once it is approved, personnel must enter into a special 4-week academy to cover South Carolina State Law in order to receive a South Carolina certification.

What does your background investigation consist of?
The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office require a rigorous background investigation. We check for credit history, driving history, criminal history and conduct civil checks for every county you have previously lived in. We also contact personal references and check with previous employers with regards to your work history. After a satisfactory background and polygraph examination is conducted, a conditional offer of employment is given. From this point candidates are submitted to medical, physical fitness and drug screening, as well as, a psychological test.

Why is there a difference in pay for Deputies assigned to Uniform Patrol and other Deputies?
The base salary is calculated on a 40-hour workweek, or 2080 hours worked in a year. All newly hired Deputies are assigned to Uniform Patrol on a 12-hour rotating schedule. These deputies work 85.75 hours in a two-week pay period, 5.75-hours of which is paid at a rate of time and a half. Deputies on this schedule earn 149.50 hours of overtime each year, which significantly adds to their pay.

In addition to this, any hours worked during one of the 11 scheduled paid county holidays is compensated at a rate of time and a half. You will also be compensated for the 8 hours of scheduled holiday pay. If you are not working on a scheduled holiday you will still receive 8 hours of holiday pay.

What kinds of training will I Receive?
After 8 weeks at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, and the 4 weeks of Academy training that will be handled at our Training Center, Deputy Trainees enter into a 12-week field-training program with a Field Training Deputy. The field training program consists of (2) 6-week periods where the trainee will receive instruction in the field. After the 12 weeks of field training, the trainee will enter a 2-week observation period. Deputy Trainees must satisfactorily demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform the job prior to being released to solo duty.

What is the difference between Deputy I and Deputy II?
Deputy I is either certified or non-certified with less than 1 year experience in Uniform Patrol. After successful completion of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and 1 year of service, Deputies are automatically promoted to the rank of Deputy II and receive a 4% increase in pay.

What is the difference between a City Police Officer and a Deputy Sheriff?
A City Police Officer enforces the law within the city limits of a given town. A Sheriff’s Deputy enforces the law within the county limits, to include all city jurisdictions within that county. Currently there are 6 municipalities within Greenville County. Greenville County Sheriff’s Office enforces the law within the 747 square miles of Greenville County.

Will I have to start work in the county jail?
No. The Greenville County Department of Public Safety is a separate county agency and is responsible for the Detention Center, Forensics, EMS and the Records Division. Greenville County Deputies begin their career in Uniform Patrol and after 3 years of experience are eligible for transfer to other divisions and special units. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office has a wide variety of career paths to choose from; however, a career in Detention is not one of them.

I’m interested in becoming a homicide Investigator. Do you have any openings for these positions?
Everyone hired with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office begins their career in Uniform Patrol. Deputies must have 3 years experience before they can be considered for transfer. Once they are eligible, Deputies may pursue careers, to include: Homicide, Arson, Armed Robbery, Auto Theft, Directed Patrol, Fugitive Squad, Juvenile, Property Crimes, Narcotics, Sex Crimes, School Resource, White Collar Crimes, K9 and several other specialty fields.

Does the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office provide take home cars?
Yes. After Deputies have completed their 12 weeks of field training, they are assigned as a solo unit in one of 10 beat areas. Deputies are provided with a vehicle to take home for business purposes only and are responsible for keeping up with the service of the car. The County of Greenville pays for all vehicle expenses.

If I were to be hired, what equipment would I have to purchase or have?
All equipment, including uniforms, firearms, vehicles and training are provided to employees free of cost. The only thing needed is you.

For more information, contact:
Lt. Jonathan Jackson, Personnel/Recruitment Director
Administrative Services Division, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office
4 McGee Street, Greenville, SC 29601 (864) 467-5307
Email: gcsorecruiting@greenvillecounty.org

An Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Click here for additional Employment Information

View the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Beat Areas.

The Family Court is part of a unified statewide court system. Learn more about The Family Court.

Evictions are obtained from a County Magistrate.  Visit this page and enter the address of the eviction to determine the appropriate court.

Download a copy of the Alarm Permit Application (.pdf).

Telephone Reporting Unit (Front Desk)

Only certain crimes may be reported over the telephone. Below is a list of some of those crimes.

• Auto Theft
• Malicious Damage
• Stolen License Plate

Auto Theft

Please have all information at hand when calling to report your vehicle stolen. We need Color, Year, Make, Model, License, VIN, Insurance Policy Number and agency, Were the keys left in the vehicle, was it unlocked?, how much gas was in the car at the time of the theft, what items were left in the car, any suspects in the theft etc…

Malicious Damage

If you have damage to your property, you may be able to report it over the phone. However, if the damage is extensive and/or you know who the perpetrator is a deputy may have to respond.

Stolen License Plate

If someone steals your license plate please have all the information on the tag number and vehicle it was taken from when you call.