Law Enforcement Officer - University Police Department

This position is designated as an Essential Employee. Essential employees provide vital support to the university and are subject to recall to work during emergencies, disasters, or special events, even when classes are suspended or offices are closed. Employees may be required to work mandatory overtime and continue regular duties.

Responsibilities

• Enforce laws via vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, or foot patrol.
• Promote personal safety and protect university facilities and interests using crime prevention and suppression techniques.
• Maintain orderly traffic flow, investigate accidents, and issue parking/moving citations.
• Respond to complaints, disturbances, and law violations; make arrests and apprehensions.
• Conduct preliminary and follow-up investigations; interview complainants, victims, suspects, and witnesses.
• Complete thorough and accurate written reports; collect and maintain evidence; participate in court proceedings.
• Assist other law enforcement agencies, fire rescue departments, and emergency medical technicians.
• Attend specialized trainings; address crowd control at special events; render first aid as needed.
• Participate in community relations activities on and off campus.
• Perform miscellaneous duties, including:
  • Attend training classes and provide testimony in criminal/judicial proceedings.
  • Conduct special tactical assignments, including surveillance and intelligence gathering.
  • Provide armed escort for university monies.
  • Control crowds during catastrophes affecting the university community.

Patrol or Criminal Investigations Division

• Secure crime scenes and preserve evidence with a documented chain of custody.
• Interview complainants, victims, suspects, and witnesses.
• Complete detailed written reports for use by authorities.

Training Division

• Prepare, schedule, and conduct initial, ongoing, in-service, remedial, and roll call training for officers and support personnel, adhering to CJSTC mandatory training rules.
• Maintain training records and instruct new employees on university-specific procedures.
• Train and evaluate Field Training Officers (FTOs) and probationary officers.
• Manage uniform and equipment orders, inventory, and restocking for the department.

Community Services Division

• Develop and conduct bicycle registration, theft prevention, and safety programs.
• Coordinate community educational programs on property security, personal safety, and alcohol awareness, with a focus on crimes against women.
• Conduct campus security surveys (interior/exterior) and nighttime lighting assessments using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).
• Review crime studies to identify trends and develop initiatives to address them.
• Design and distribute printed and social media materials; liaise with news media to inform the public about police and community services.

School Resource Officer (P.K. Yonge K-12)

• Coordinate educational programs and act as a counselor, mentor, and role model for students.
• Maintain order, promote safety, and recommend improvements for the school environment.

Special Events Division

• Coordinate with internal and external partners to plan campus events.
• Assess facility security and safety processes; recommend enhancements.
• Assign staff to events and provide direction and event-specific updates.

K-9 Unit

• Supervise, train, and maintain the health and welfare of an assigned K-9.
• Maintain training logs and ensure the K-9’s readiness and performance.
• Conduct daily grooming, inspections, and veterinary care as needed.
• Maintain cleanliness of the K-9’s residence, equipment, and patrol vehicle.
• Conduct building and area searches for explosive materials using the K-9.

Schedule

• Total hours biweekly: 80 (e.g., 12-hour shifts: 20 hours one week, 60 hours the next; 8-hour shifts: 40 hours each week).
• Weekday, weekend, and holiday assignments are possible per the PBA contract.
• Overtime is determined by department workload.
• Special assignments may require on-call status or flexible hours for training, case assignments, or presentations.

Pay

Law Enforcement Officer: $31.57/hourly. Newly employed officers may be eligible for a one-time payment of up to $5,000 under the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program.

Requirements

• Associate degree or a minimum of sixty (60) semester hours from an accredited college or university; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Must meet Florida statutory and Administrative Code requirements, including Chapter 943, Florida Statutes.
• Pass a physical agility course, car-push course, and firearms qualification after a medical assessment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Sixty (60) college credit hours; or
• High school diploma or equivalent and three (3) years of prior law enforcement or corrections experience at a medium-to-large department; or
• High school diploma or equivalent and three (3) years of full-time, active military experience; or
• High school diploma or equivalent and five (5) years of experience as a Police Department Reserve Force member; or
• High school diploma or equivalent and five (5) years of post-high school work experience serving the public.

Note: UFPD prefers officers to earn 60 college credit hours within three years of hire and requires a bachelor’s degree for promotion. Tuition reimbursement is available.

Skills

• Communication & Collaboration:
  • Effectively communicate verbally and in writing; demonstrate empathy and compassion.
  • Collaborate with internal and external partners; work independently and on a team.
  • Provide customer service with an educational focus; maintain effective working relationships.
  • Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Problem Solving, Critical Thinking & Innovation:
  • Utilize de-escalation and conflict resolution skills.
  • Manage critical incidents and crises.
  • Innovate and display mental agility.
• Ethical, Moral & Professional Behavior:
  • Make ethical decisions and behave morally.
  • Establish and maintain command presence.
  • Demonstrate physical and mental courage; maintain situational awareness.
  • Uphold University of Florida regulations, Florida State Statutes, and the U.S. Constitution.
  • Serve the public with values of justice, professionalism, trust, service, and integrity.
• Navigate University of Florida geography.
• Knowledge:
  • Considerable knowledge of laws, ordinances, and departmental rules and regulations.
  • Considerable knowledge of evidence preservation rules and methods.
  • Considerable knowledge of UF and adjoining area geography.
  • Considerable knowledge of traffic control and criminal investigation practices and techniques.
  • Knowledge of model police work principles and practices.
  • Some knowledge of first aid methods.