Certified Police Officer

Performs police patrol, preliminary investigations, traffic regulation and enforcement, and other law enforcement activities. May be assigned to various units within the police department, including Road Patrol, Detective Bureau, Traffic Unit, Training Unit, Street Crimes Unit, and Marine Patrol.

Responsibilities

• Patrols streets, parks, commercial, and residential areas to detect crime, traffic violations, or other incidents requiring police action.
• Writes reports, field interrogation cards, and other documentation as required by incidents or cases.
• Conducts preliminary investigations on crimes, crashes, incidents, and other law violations.
• Responds to routine, emergency, or difficult calls for service; may initiate calls based on observations during patrol.
• Interviews/interrogates suspects, witnesses, and drivers involved in crimes or crashes.
• Gathers and preserves physical evidence.
• Makes arrests or takes persons into custody in accordance with federal, state, county, and city laws and ordinances.
• Prepares cases for court and testifies when required.
• Summons paramedics, tow trucks, other law enforcement officers, and other assistance as needed.
• Takes measurements and draws diagrams of scenes such as crashes or crime scenes.
• Conducts follow-up investigations of crimes as time, policy, and manpower permit.
• Resolves conflicts and defuses tense situations when possible.
• Prepares a variety of reports including investigation reports, field interrogation reports, property receipts, alcohol influence reports, bad check forms, vehicle impoundment forms, offense incident reports, and accident reports.
• Maintains availability by radio, laptop, or telephone for dispatch to emergencies or calls for service.
• Demonstrates competence with firearms and other less-than-lethal devices; carries them at all times while on duty and during off-duty details.
• Coordinates activities with other officers or city departments, exchanges information with other law enforcement agencies, and obtains advice from the City Attorney and Prosecutor’s Office as needed.
• Maintains departmental equipment, supplies, and facilities; reports damaged or missing equipment to supervisor.
• Maintains contact with the general public, court officials, and other city officials in the performance of police duties.
• May serve on various employee committees.
• Performs other duties as assigned or necessary.

Requirements

• Must pass a thorough background investigation, polygraph, psychological evaluation, medical exam, and drug screen.
• Must successfully pass a physical agility test within the last 6 months prior to application, administered by a certified FDLE training center.
• Must successfully complete a swim test administered by a certified FDLE training center (waived for lateral candidates who have passed a swim test at least once in their career).
• Must be a minimum of 21 years old at the time of employment.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of employment, a valid Florida State driver’s license without record of suspension or revocation in any state.
• No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to read and write the English language.
• Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.
• Applicants residing in Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe, or Palm Beach counties must pass a full physical agility test and swim test prior to application (modified agility test not accepted).
• Applicants residing outside these counties must pass the physical agility and swim tests as part of the second phase of their background investigation.
• Out-of-state applicants must submit a written acknowledgment of requirements for physical agility and swim tests to be completed at a later date.
• Must attend and successfully complete a basic Police Officer Academy and pass the State Police Officer Exam.
• Lateral entry candidates must meet all entry-level requirements and hold a valid certification as a Police Officer as required by FDLE and/or CJSTC guidelines.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 60 completed college credits that include general studies; or
• High School diploma/GED and two or more years of U.S. military service with an Honorable Discharge; or
• Two years of law enforcement experience as a Certified Police Officer.

Skills

• Knowledge of law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment (if already a certified officer).
• Skill in operating law enforcement tools and equipment.
• Ability to learn applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations.
• Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, and supervisors.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to meet special requirements, including successful completion of FDLE or CJSTC requirements (e.g., Police Academy, FBAT, and other tests).
• Ability to learn the city’s geography.
• Knowledge of safety procedures associated with risks and hazards inherent to the job.

Required Documents

• Transcripts reflecting a minimum of 60 college credits (or High School Diploma/GED and DD214 for military service).
• Physical agility test results (taken within six months prior to application).
• Swim test results (unless waived for lateral candidates).
• State of Florida Law Enforcement Officer certification (or verification of enrollment in a Law Enforcement Academy for current recruits).
• Out-of-state candidates must submit a copy of their state law enforcement certification and a written acknowledgment of physical agility/swim test requirements.
• Veterans claiming preference must submit a DD214.