POLICE OFFICER (CERTIFIED)

About the role

This is a highly responsible position within the City of Miami Gardens Police Department, focused on protecting life and property while fostering strong community relationships. Police Officers perform a wide range of law enforcement duties, including proactive patrol, criminal investigations, community policing initiatives, and enforcement of state laws and City ordinances.

Responsibilities

• Performs general law enforcement duties including patrol, traffic enforcement, responding to emergencies, conducting investigations, arresting suspects, and maintaining public safety.
• Responds to calls for service, enforces laws and ordinances, and secures crime scenes and evidence.
• Engages in community policing, crime prevention programs, and public outreach efforts.
• Provides courtroom testimony, writes reports, and maintains accurate records and documentation.
• Assists with traffic control, public events, prisoner transport, and first aid when needed.
• Operates police vehicles, radios, firearms, and other assigned equipment safely and effectively.
• Maintains assigned equipment and participates in required training and continuing education.
• May rotate into specialized units such as Investigations, K-9, DARE, or Community Policing.
• Works under stressful, high-risk conditions with professionalism and sound judgment.

Requirements

• Requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Must be a United States citizen at time of application.
• Must possess a current Florida Police Officer Certification as mandated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
• Must have and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record throughout employment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the role of a municipal law enforcement agency.
• Knowledge of the structure, functions and inter-relationships of state and local law enforcement agencies.
• Considerable knowledge of up-to-date methods of law enforcement procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of firearms, automotive, radio and other law enforcement equipment.
• Considerable knowledge of legal rights of accused persons and law enforcement.
• Considerable knowledge of criminal behavior and methods of operation.
• Knowledge of civil process.
• Sufficient knowledge of other City departments to communicate with their representatives as necessary in carrying out duties and responsibilities.

Skills

• Knowledge of the role of a municipal law enforcement agency.
• Knowledge of the structure, functions and inter-relationships of state and local law enforcement agencies.
• Considerable knowledge of up-to-date methods of law enforcement procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of firearms, automotive, radio and other law enforcement equipment.
• Considerable knowledge of legal rights of accused persons and law enforcement.
• Considerable knowledge of criminal behavior and methods of operation.
• Knowledge of civil process.
• Sufficient knowledge of other City departments to communicate with their representatives as necessary in carrying out duties and responsibilities.

Benefits

• $5,000 State of Florida Recruitment Bonus

Pay

Starting salary: $68,250.00 (84 Hr. Shift)

Upon completion of one (1) year probationary period: $70,980.00 (84 Hr. Shift)

Schedule

84 Hr. Shift

Disqualifiers

• Illegal drug use within 2 years of application.
• More than occasional past use of marijuana, or any use within the past two (2) years.
• More than experimental past use of cocaine, or any use within the past five (5) years.
• More than isolated past use of any of the following substances, or any use within the past five (5) years:
• Amphetamines, barbiturates, inhalants
• Designer drugs such as GHB, Rohypnol (Roofies), Ecstasy, Ketamine (Special K)
• Hallucinogens such as LSD, PCP, Ice, Mescaline, Psilocybin (mushrooms)
• Abuse of any prescription drug