Sheriff's candidates face demanding requirements

   Candidacy for the office requirements meeting some of the most rigorous standards of any elected official in the state.
   A citizen who seeks to become a candidate for the office of county sheriff must meet the following criteria:
   * Must be a U.S. citizen and be 25 years of age;
   * Be a qualified voter of the county;
   * Have a high school diploma or general equivalency degree;
   * Not have been convicted of or pleaded guilty or nolo contendre to any felony charge of local, state or federal law involving force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor, or controlled substances;
   * Must be fingerprinted and have the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation make a search of local, state and federal fingerprint files for any criminal record;
   * Not have been released or discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces with a Dishonorable or Bad Conduct discharge or due to a court martial for either a state or federal offense;
   * Have been certified by a qualified psychologist/psychiatrist to be free of all mental disorders as specified by the American Psychiatric Association;
   * Possess a current and valid peace officer's certification issued by the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Commission.
   A sheriff's candidate must file an affidavit swearing to the above requirements with the POST Commission. The POST Commission must also receive a confirmed psychological evaluation form by a psychologist/psychiatrist from a candidate applicant.
   A candidate who knowingly falsifies information on political documents commits a Class E felony, according to state law.
   Citizens are disqualified to become candidates for any office per state law under the following conditions: 
   * A conviction of offering or giving a bribe, or of larceny, or any other offense declared infamous by law, unless restored to citizenship; 
   * Those against whom there is a judgment unpaid for any moneys received by them, in any official capacity, due to the United States, to this state, or any county of this state; 
   * The applicant is a defaulter to the treasury at the time of the election; 
   * The applicant is a soldier, sailor, marine, or airman active in the regular military of the United States;
   * The applicant is a member of Congress, or holds any office of profit or trust in another state or country.