departments    police dept    Requirements

FOR SWORN OFFICER POSITIONS - Both Full-time and Reserve:

     Applications accepted continually and are kept on file for one year from date Oral Board interview or if none, from the date of application.

     Applicants are responsible to update their contact information if it changes from what is on the application.

     While Florida Law Enforcement applicants are usually preferred, applicants who are out-of-state law enforcement certified and needing an  Equivalency Certificate from Florida are welcome to apply.  You must be able to meet the requirements for Florida Law Enforcement.  Certification as outlined in Florida State Statute 943.13.  This may be viewed in its entirety at:  www.flsenate.gov/Statutes

    Applicants meeting the above requirements are encouraged to apply regardless of race, gender or nationality.

    Applicants who successfully complete the Oral Board interview when no positions are available will be placed on an eligibility list.

     The process generally works in this manner:  Application turned in.  Initial background is begun.  Written Adult Basic Skills and Abilities Test and Physical Agility test is scheduled for those who pass the initial background, when a large enough number of successful applicants is reached.

     An Oral Board interview is scheduled when a large enough number of successful applicants is reached.  Once an opening is available, top applicants are scheduled for a polygraph test.  The top applicant(s) is/are given a “Conditional Offer of Employment,” conditional upon the successful completion of the rest of the hiring process.  This includes a thorough, completed background investigation including credit check, a psychological evaluation a medical physical and a drug screen test.  When all is completed successfully, a start date is agreed upon and the officer begins the Field Training Program, which must be successfully completed regardless of prior experience.  A one-year probationary period begins on the start date, with the exception of sworn Reserve Officers who serve at the pleasure of the Chief of Police.  Assuming one is available a vehicle is assigned upon completion of the F.T.O. program if specified residency requirements are met.  Officers who must attend the academy generally begin at 90% of a starting officer salary, moving to 100% at the beginning of the pay period after the State Examination is passed and the Florida Law Enforcement Certification is obtained.

FOR CIVILIAN AND VOLUNTEER POSITIONS:

     Applications accepted continually and are kept on file for one year from date Oral Board interview or if none, from the date of application.

     Applicants are responsible to update their contact information if it changes from what is on the application.

     Applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of race or gender.

     Applicants who successfully complete the Oral Board interview when no positions are available will be placed on an eligibility list.

     The process generally works in this manner:  Application turned in.  Initial background is begun.  Written Adult Basic Skills and Abilities Test is scheduled for those who pass the initial background, when a large enough number of successful applicants is reached.  An Oral Board interview is scheduled when a large enough number of successful applicants is reached.  Once an opening is available, top applicants are scheduled for a polygraph test*.  The top applicant(s) is/are given a “Conditional Offer of Employment,” conditional upon the successful completion of the rest of the hiring process.  This includes a thorough, completed background investigation including credit check, a psychological evaluation* a medical physical* and a drug screen test.  When all is completed successfully, a start date is agreed upon.  A six-month probationary period begins on the start date.

*NOTE:   Some civilian positions will not require a polygraph test.  Of those that do, some will not require a psychological evaluation and/or a medical physical.   Some volunteer positions will not require a polygraph examination; most will not require a psychological examination or a medical physical.  There is no probationary period for volunteers (including sworn Reserve Officers), who serve at the pleasure of the Chief of Police. 

Further questions may be directed to the Community Services Supervisor at 813-780-0050.