Police Officer – $2,000 Signing Bonus* (Or $5,000 for Experienced FLA Certified)**

Application closing date: August 30, 2026, 5:00 PM

Pay

• $24.08 per hour minimum - Police Officer Trainee
• $27.38 per hour minimum - Police Officer
• Annual step for performance pay plan
• Minimum starting rate of pay, pending experience and certification
• Police Officer Trainee: $24.08 per hour for the multi-week Field Training Program with benefits
• Police Officer: $27.38 per hour after completion of a multi-week Field Training Program with benefits
• Signing bonus: $2,000 total ($1,000 after successful completion of field training; $1,000 after completion of first year)
• Experienced Florida Certified Law Enforcement bonus: $5,000 total ($2,500 after successful completion of field training; $2,500 after completion of first year)

Benefits

• 12 vacation days
• 12 sick days
• 12 paid holidays per year
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
• Co-sponsored defined benefit pension plan and Social Security coverage
• 457 deferred plan options
• Flexible education, training, and development opportunities
• Education/tuition assistance program
• Employee Assistance Program – to include mental health assistance/services
• “Take Home” police vehicle option

Responsibilities

• Performs professional law enforcement work
• Operates a police vehicle to patrol designated areas to preserve law and order; to prevent and detect the commission of crimes; to enforce criminal and traffic laws; and to provide general assistance to the public
• Operates a police radio to maintain communications with headquarters and supervisor
• Responds to calls and complaints of incidents involving traffic accidents, criminal activities or violations, including misdemeanors, felonies, and other accidents or disasters
• Secures the scene of the incident to restore peace, protect evidence, property, and assist injured persons
• Administers first aid; calls for medical assistance; interviews complainants and witnesses; takes detailed statements from witnesses and suspects; issues summonses when appropriate
• Completes and prepares detailed reports; serves warrants; makes arrests; transports suspects to detention facility; testifies as a witness in court proceedings as needed
• Conducts routine follow-up investigations of assigned cases, conducts stakeouts, and surveillance of designated locations
• Issues traffic summonses, warnings, parking citations, and vehicle defect correction notices
• Directs traffic at special events and congested intersections as needed; escorts funeral processions and other official escorts as assigned
• Demonstrates proficiency in the use and care of firearms; meets minimum requirements set by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission
• May serve as field training officer for new police officers
• Performs other related law enforcement duties as assigned by supervisor

Requirements

• Must be at least 19 years of age and a citizen of the United States
• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma
• Must not have been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor involving perjury or the making of false claims
• Must not have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States
• Must pass a physical examination with a drug screen
• Must demonstrate acceptable physical agility and strength
• Must have a good moral character
• Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a polygraph examination
• Must be able to successfully complete all training requirements including the State required police academy curriculum, field training program, periodic in-service training and weaponry qualifications, and a one-year probationary period
• Current Florida State certified law enforcement officers, graduates of a Florida police academy having passed the Florida State Officer Certification Exam, or certified officers from another state who have completed the Florida State Equivalency course are preferred
• Must possess a valid Florida Class E driver’s license and a good driving record as determined by the City of Winter Haven
• All new hires will be classified as a Police Officer Trainee, compensated at a lesser rate of pay, and must undergo a multi-week Field Training Program
• Upon satisfactory completion of the training program, the incumbent will be re-classified as a Police Officer with the rate of pay adjusted to at least the minimum of this same classification

Skills

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, practices, rules, regulations, procedures, and operations of law enforcement
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and City criminal laws and ordinances and the criminal justice system operations
• Knowledge of technical police report writing
• Physical ability, strength, and flexibility sufficient to perform the essential job functions
• Ability to ambulate independently and operate a vehicle safely for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to lift and/or move heavy objects or persons in the course of rescue activities
• Ability to physically overcome the physical resistance of a suspect and make a forcible arrest
• Ability to give chase on foot and climb obstacles in the course of law enforcement/criminal apprehension activities
• Ability to withstand working outside in all extreme weather conditions
• Ability to observe and record events accurately and completely; to define problems; establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Ability to read and write legibly; to make written notes; to take detailed statements, and to prepare technical reports and correspondence
• Ability to make public contacts; to interview witnesses, victims, and suspects and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, employees, and the general public
• Ability to work under stressful conditions and to react calmly and responsively in emergency situations
• Ability and proficiency in the use and care of firearms
• Ability to work rotating shifts with occasional overtime

Physical & Environmental Factors

• Must have the physical ability, strength, and flexibility to perform the job functions in the work environment
• Ability to ambulate independently; to stand, walk, sit, and operate a vehicle safely for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to lift and/or move heavy objects or persons in the course of rescue activities
• Ability to physically overcome the physical resistance of a suspect and make a forcible arrest
• Ability to give chase on foot and climb obstacles in the course of law enforcement/criminal apprehension activities
• Ability to withstand working outside in all extreme weather conditions
• Visual ability, including the possession of depth perception and the ability to recognize colors, sufficient to operate a police vehicle both day and night, to observe criminal actions taking place, to positively identify suspects, to observe traffic violations taking place, to read and write reports, correspondence, etc.
• Ability to speak and enunciate clearly to communicate effectively with other individuals in person, over the phone, or over a radio
• Hearing ability sufficient to understand radio transmissions, conversations with other individuals both in person and over the phone
• Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability