Police Officer (Non-Certified)

Job Title

Minimum Qualifications

For non-certified, certified and Lateral: Applicants must be at least 20 years old to apply, and 21 years old at the time of hire; and High School diploma or equivalent. An evaluation of foreign school diploma may be required; and have an Associate's Degree or at least sixty (60) college credits; or have two (2) years of active or reserve military duty; or have three (3) years of consistent, post-high school work experience; or have one (1) year of full-time sworn law enforcement experience. Be a citizen of the United States. Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of a felony, or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, shall not be eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, not-withstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication. Never have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. Have good moral character. Successfully pass a background investigation, to include drug testing and polygraph examination. Pass a physical examination by a licensed physician Pass the Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT).

As of July 1, 2022, section 943.17(1)(g) states that any candidate wishing to enter a law enforcement academy that either (i) is a veteran as classified in section 1.01(14), F.S., or (ii) holds an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university is not required to take the Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT). Please note that veteran is defined as being honorably discharged from military service. No other discharge classifications qualify.

If claiming Veteran's Preference, candidates must provide a DD-214 member 4 form.

Certified and Lateral Police Officer Applicant Additional Qualifications:

Certified:

Successfully completed the Florida Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Training Program and successfully passed the Florida State Law Enforcement Officer Certification Examination.

For Florida Correctional Officers, must have successfully completed a cross-over law enforcement program, and successfully passed the Florida State Law Enforcement Officer Certification Examination.

Lateral:

If employed as a law enforcement officer outside of Florida, must have successfully completed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Equivalency of Training, and successfully passed the Florida State Law Enforcement Officer Certification Examination within One year of receipt of the approved Equivalency Training.

Complied with Florida Department of Law Enforcement mandatory retraining or educational requirements for law enforcement officers.

Employed in a full-time sworn classification by (or separated within preceding 24 months from) another police agency, in possession of a Basic Recruit Certificate of Compliance from the State of Florida, or its equivalent, completed probation with a Florida law enforcement agency, and acquired at least one year of police experience.

Supplemental Information

If you are claiming Veterans' Preference you must provide the required information in the Veterans' Preference section of the online application and prove eligibility by submitting all required documentation to the Human Resources Director on or before, Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Veterans' Preference will NOT be awarded unless the required documentation is submitted. Documents arriving after the deadline will not be accepted.

All non-certified police officer recruits who are sponsored by the agency to attend the police academy are required to fulfill a minimum of three (3) years of continuous, full-time employment with the agency following their successful graduation and certification. If a recruit voluntarily resigns, is terminated for cause, or otherwise fails to complete the required three-year service commitment, the officer will be responsible for reimbursing the agency for the total cost incurred by the agency for academy training. This includes but is not limited to:

• Tuition and registration fees
• Uniforms and equipment
• Lodging and meals (if applicable)
• Testing and certification fees
• Any additional direct costs paid by the agency related to the officer's training

A formal agreement outlining this obligation will be signed prior to the start of academy training.

Job Title

Minimum Qualifications

For non-certified, certified and Lateral: Applicants must be at least 20 years old to apply, and 21 years old at the time of hire; and High School diploma or equivalent. An evaluation of foreign school diploma may be required; and have an Associate's Degree or at least sixty (60) college credits; or have two (2) years of active or reserve military duty; or have three (3) years of consistent, post-high school work experience; or have one (1) year of full-time sworn law enforcement experience. Be a citizen of the United States. Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of a felony, or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, shall not be eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, not-withstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication. Never have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. Have good moral character. Successfully pass a background investigation, to include drug testing and polygraph examination. Pass a physical examination by a licensed physician Pass the Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT).

As of July 1, 2022, section 943.17(1)(g) states that any candidate wishing to enter a law enforcement academy that either (i) is a veteran as classified in section 1.01(14), F.S., or (ii) holds an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university is not required to take the Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT). Please note that veteran is defined as being honorably discharged from military service. No other discharge classifications qualify.

If claiming Veteran's Preference, candidates must provide a DD-214 member 4 form.

Certified and Lateral Police Officer Applicant Additional Qualifications:

Certified:

Successfully completed the Florida Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Training Program and successfully passed the Florida State Law Enforcement Officer Certification Examination.

For Florida Correctional Officers, must have successfully completed a cross-over law enforcement program, and successfully passed the Florida State Law Enforcement Officer Certification Examination.

Lateral:

If employed as a law enforcement officer outside of Florida, must have successfully completed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Equivalency of Training, and successfully passed the Florida State Law Enforcement Officer Certification Examination within One year of receipt of the approved Equivalency Training.

Complied with Florida Department of Law Enforcement mandatory retraining or educational requirements for law enforcement officers.

Employed in a full-time sworn classification by (or separated within preceding 24 months from) another police agency, in possession of a Basic Recruit Certificate of Compliance from the State of Florida, or its equivalent, completed probation with a Florida law enforcement agency, and acquired at least one year of police experience.

Supplemental Information

If you are claiming Veterans' Preference you must provide the required information in the Veterans' Preference section of the online application and prove eligibility by submitting all required documentation to the Human Resources Director on or before, Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Veterans' Preference will NOT be awarded unless the required documentation is submitted. Documents arriving after the deadline will not be accepted.

All non-certified police officer recruits who are sponsored by the agency to attend the police academy are required to fulfill a minimum of three (3) years of continuous, full-time employment with the agency following their successful graduation and certification. If a recruit voluntarily resigns, is terminated for cause, or otherwise fails to complete the required three-year service commitment, the officer will be responsible for reimbursing the agency for the total cost incurred by the agency for academy training. This includes but is not limited to:

• Tuition and registration fees
• Uniforms and equipment
• Lodging and meals (if applicable)
• Testing and certification fees
• Any additional direct costs paid by the agency related to the officer's training

A formal agreement outlining this obligation will be signed prior to the start of academy training.

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