Whether you're looking for a relaxing hike in a wilderness or an exciting evening of jazz, Boise, Idaho has what you need. Located in the southwestern section of Idaho, Boise is the largest city between Salt Lake City and Portland, Oregon. The third largest city in the Pacific Northwest, Boise has been ranked among the best places. In 2007, Forbes named Boise the third Best Place for Business and Careers and Earth Day Network ranked it sixth on its Urban Environmental Report Card. Even with over a half million people living in the Boise metropolitan area, in 2008, Farmer's Insurance ranked it the second most secure large metropolitan place to live. Along with natural beauty, Boise offers a vast cultural experience, annually hosting the Idaho Shakespeare Festival and the Idaho International Film Festival. The second largest Basque community in the U.S. calls Boise home.
With a semi-arid climate, this region offers four distinct seasons. Summers often reach 100 degrees and winters bring snow. Boise is the county seat in Ada County, both of which continue to grow in population each year. Named after the first pioneer child born in the area and daughter of a Boise co-founder, Ada County stretches 1,060 square miles, including land and water and has a population of just under 381,000. Serving the residents of this area is the Ada County Sheriff's Office.
The Ada County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) is the largest local law enforcement agency in the state with 325 sworn personnel and 267 civilians. Taking care of most law enforcement functions, ACSO patrols both land and water, handles jail operations and issues driver's licenses and concealed weapons permits. A satellite DMV office exists in the public safety building. Eleven non-sworn personnel handle around 10% of the county's business. Unlike in the other offices, the employees assigned here passed a background check and polygraph. Their budget and salary are paid through the Sheriff's Office. This is only one of the myriad of positions ACSO offers.
Officer Basics
To be hired as a deputy-patrol officer with ACSO, a candidate must meet one of three experiential requirements. To be considered you must have 64 college credits or an associate's degree, have served four years of consecutive and full military service, or have two years of prior full-time law enforcement experience. Entering with these requirements, a deputy's monthly base salary is $3,100. A deputy with a bachelors degree makes $3,200. Deputies and Corrections Officers have the same base salary, which tops out at $5,100. Commissioned deputies are paid their full wage, even during the academy. Currently, Sheriff Gary Raney, a 26-year veteran of ACSO, is focusing on providing incentives to employees. "The Sheriff is working on making sure there are wage and salary benefits related to education and supervision," says Deputy Cory Russell, ACSO recruiter. "Also, in other areas, supervisors and lead persons should make more."
ACSO deputies attend the Idaho POST academy in Meridian. Deputies remain on campus Monday through Friday for ten weeks. After graduation, they participate in a 15-week FTO program. Deputies are issued a .40 caliber Glock 22, as well as a shotgun and rifle. As part of duty readiness, all deputies are issued a TASER.
ACSO offers in-state and out-of-state lateral transfers. Those out-of-state are encouraged to challenge POST. "Laterals come in at a higher wage bracket," explains Russell. Russell believes recruiting can be difficult. "It's challenging being a sheriff's office versus a police department," he says. "We have such a variety in positions from registered nurses to patrol to kitchen cooks at the jail. We do have a referral bonus. Anyone working for ACSO who refers someone, they get a $350 check when they get through the hiring process." Retention is good for the department.
Assignments
In patrol, the standard three shifts are available. Deputies work five days on, four off, then four days on and five off. Patrol teams are split into two teams; the red and the gold schedule. All deputies attend a training day every month. Shift bids are conducted by seniority every six months.
ACSO offers a wide variety of specialty units. "You name it," Russell states. The department has SWAT, a dive team, boat patrol, K-9, narcotics, SRO, detectives, bicycle and special traffic patrols. ACSO is also the only agency in Idaho to have an electric scooter. Although time in patrol is an important factor to getting assigned to a specialty unit, ACSO also recognizes experience. "The Sheriff values years of service," explains Russell, "But, also values putting the right officer in the right job." For example, a deputy was assigned to K-9s after only 16 months in patrol due to his prior handling experience. ACSO allows deputies to work off-duty, which is contracted through the department, including assignments at a local minor league baseball stadium.
Community
Participation with the community is important to ACSO. A quick look at the programs offered by the department shows this is a priority. A vibrant volunteer program allows community members to work as a reserve deputy, a volunteer in the jail or in police services and in neighborhood watch groups. ACSO also assists the academic community by offering an internship program. "[Currently, we are trying to] rev up and reformat the internship program," Russell explains. "We have good contacts with Boise State University." He says the program demands a lot and interns should apply early. "[The program is] a work in progress," he states. "But, it is coming along."
Ada County is a vibrant place to visit or live. Not too far from any activity, residents enjoy a variety of experiences from rafting the Boise River to attending the Egyptian Theatre. Employees of ACSO enjoy working for an organization with a lot of public trust and career mobility. "The variety of jobs we offer (is unique)," says Russell. "We have a lot of career ladders to let people move around and find the best fit to make them happy. A lot of people say it's not work."
