I applied in-person. The process took 4 months. I interviewed at Lafayette Parish Sheriff (Lafayette, LA) in Nov 2012
Interview
Application, Testing, Polygraph, Medical Exam, interview is sometimes one on one or their maybe a few others depending on what you are applying for. Where something professional. Takes a while to get hired, due to all the testing etc. I do feel that there are several different options for career growth once you get hired on. Pretty decent benefits on top of that.