I applied in-person. The process took 5 months. I interviewed at Sutter County Sheriff (Yuba City, CA) in Jan 2011
Interview
It's an oral board interview, with three or four upper admin on the board. It was stressful getting in front of upper tier administrations and having to speak to them. Just remember they are human too, and they are looking for good people. Don't stress about the answer they want to hear, answer it how you believe it should be answer.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Would you arrest your mother if you were called to a scene of a theft and she was the suspect.