POLICE OFFICER - PROBATIONARY

Nature of Work

This is entry-level work in a basic recruit program for law enforcement officers. An employee in this class receives formal training at the Police Academy and on-the-job experience in preparation for employment as a certified Police Officer. An employee in this classification attends a basic recruit training program in the Police Academy where a Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) curriculum is followed. Employees are required to participate in rigorous physical training in a para-military environment. Upon successful completion of the Police Academy and the Florida State Officer Certification Exam, the employee must complete six months in the Field Training Officer Program. The Field Training Officer Program facilitates the employee's transition from the academic setting to the performance of general departmental law enforcement patrol duties. Police work may involve an element of personal danger and employees must be able to act without direct supervision and exercise independent judgment during emergency situations. Assignments and general instructions are received from a superior officer, who reviews work methods and results through reports, personal evaluation and discussion.

Curriculum

• Law
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Patrol Procedures
• Criminal Investigations
• DUI/Traffic Stops
• Traffic Crash Investigations
• Physical Fitness
• Firearms
• Law Enforcement Vehicle Operations
• Report Writing
• First Aid
• Communications
• Defensive Tactics
• Taser weapon usage
• OC spray usage
• Human Issues

Essential Functions

• Patrols a designated area of the City in a patrol vehicle to preserve law and order, prevent crime, and to enforce crime and traffic regulations.
• Responds to calls for police services involving crimes, including, but not limited to: homicide, rape, robbery, burglary, larceny, missing persons, and any emergencies or disturbances that arise which may require police intervention. The investigation of the latter will require an officer to conduct victim and witness interviews, interrogate suspects, search for evidence, monitor suspected persons, prepare investigative reports, and maintain necessary records for presentation in court.
• While at a call for police services, administers first aid when necessary, conducts preliminary investigations, gathers evidence, identifies witnesses, executes arrests, and testifies in court.
• During crash investigations, provides first aid for injured parties, secures the scene to prevent additional crashes, interviews motorists and witnesses, takes written statements, examines vehicles and roadways, takes necessary street measurements, and clears the scene of obstructions and wreckage.
• Resolves quality of life issues in the designated patrol area by utilizing problem-solving models such as the Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment model (SARA).
• Works to resolve neighborhood concerns by establishing partnerships with residents, merchants, schools, churches, community-based organizations, governmental agencies/offices and other groups in the designated patrol area in accordance with the department's community policing philosophy.
• Utilizes crime analysis data and community collaboration to address crime problems in their assigned districts or zones.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the below requirements in order to receive employment consideration:

• Citizenship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens per Florida Statute 943.13.
• Age: Applicants must be 19 years of age by July 31, 2026. (Please note this recruitment will close when we reach 1000 applicants or by July 31, 2026, whichever comes first).
• Education: High school diploma, its equivalent, or higher. Foreign degrees or diplomas require transcript evaluations by an approved transcript evaluation service, which determines reciprocity to education in the United States. Translations are not accepted in lieu of evaluations.
• Driver's License: Applicants must submit a copy of a valid driver's license from any state provided that prior to appointment a valid State of Florida Class E, or higher, driver's license is submitted to the Miami Police Department's Recruitment and Selection Unit. Please note that driving records and validity will be checked and may be grounds for disqualification at any time subsequent to application.
• FDLE Basic Abilities Test: Proof of passing score on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Basic Abilities Test (FDLE BAT) administered by a Pearson VUE authorized provider, in the area of law enforcement. The FDLE BAT must be taken at a Pearson VUE authorized provider at the applicant's expense. Proof of passing examination scores are to be verified at time of orientation. Note: 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 Basic Abilities Test. Please note that veteran is defined as being honorably discharged from military service. No other discharge classifications qualify. This does not apply to candidates wishing to enter a corrections academy.
• Visual Acuity: All applicants must have at least 20/30 vision in each eye together or separately with correction and 20/100 vision in each eye without correction (glasses or contacts). Depth and color perception must be within normal limits.
• Convictions: Per Florida Statute 943.13, applicants must not have been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, or have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. Criminal history may disqualify applicants.

Note: Before becoming a permanent Police Officer, the employee must successfully complete the basic recruit program of the Police Academy, the Florida State Officer Certification Exam (SOCE), and the Field Training Officer Program.

Required Documentation

The following documents are required at time of application and are acceptable forms of proof. All documents submitted must be clear and legible.

• Driver License: A valid State of Florida Class E or higher, or a valid driver's license from any state (equivalent to Florida Class E or higher).
• Education: High School Diploma or its equivalent, college degree, permanent school record, or transcripts or foreign transcript evaluation, if applicable. Foreign diplomas/degrees must be submitted with a credential evaluation report from an approved credential evaluation agency. Translations of diploma/degrees are not accepted. Audit/Academic reports are not accepted as substitutions for college transcripts.
• Age: US Birth Certificate, valid driver's license, or U.S. passport.
• Citizenship: Naturalization Certificate, U.S. Passport or U.S. Birth certificate (Only a birth certificate issued by a county health department or the CDC Bureau of Vital Statistics will be accepted. Hospital birth certificates are not considered a certified document and will not be accepted).

Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies: Credential evaluation reports showing the United States equivalency for academic credentials earned in other countries may be provided by:

• An accredited four-year college or university in the United States, OR
• A current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), OR
• A current member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE), OR
• A recognized Professional Organization

Selection Steps

In addition to meeting the documentation requirements listed above, all applicants may be subject to the successful completion of the following criteria to be considered for appointment:

• Orientation
• Physical Ability Test
• Structured interview
• Polygraph examination
• Psychological examination
• Stringent background investigation including Criminal Records Check
• Fingerprint check
• Driving Record Check
• Toxicology screen
• Post-offer medical examination

For more information please visit: https://www.miami.gov/Careers-Jobs/City-Jobs/Become-a-Miami-Police-Officer

Note: Failure to keep appointments at any phase of the selection process may result in disqualification.

Veterans Preference

Veterans Preference is awarded in accordance with Florida State Statute 295.07. If veteran's preference is being claimed, it must be indicated on the application form and proper documentation, including all forms DD-214 (Member 4) and the applicable FDVA- Veteran's Preference Certification Form(s) in accordance with rule 55A-7.013 - Documentation of Preference Claim, must be submitted with the employment application.

FDVA Certification Forms: Please complete the applicable Veterans' Preference Certification Form(s). Form(s) must be uploaded with your employment application along with acceptable proof of veterans' preference.

• Form VP1: VETERANS' PREFERENCE CERTIFICATE
• Form VP2: CURRENT MEMBER OF THE RESERVE CERTIFICATION
• Form VP3: UNREMARRIED WIDOW or WIDOWER CERTIFICATE

Selection Preference for City Residents

In accordance with APM 2-02, applicants for classified positions who are City of Miami residents and new hires will receive preference in selection from interview ranking bands provided that any two (2) of the following documents are submitted with the employment application and again at time of interview:

• Utility bill dated within 60 days of the date of submission
• Valid Florida Driver License or State-issued I.D.
• Property Tax Statement dated within 1 year of the date of submission
• Properly executed valid lease agreement
• Homestead Exemption dated within 1 year of the date of submission
• Motor Vehicle Registration dated within 90 days of the date of submission
• Official school records or transcripts, dated within 90 days of the date of submission
• W-2 (or 1099) Tax

Selection Preference: Selection preference within the same ranking band resulting from an interview process will be granted in the following order: 1) preference eligible veterans, 2) active City of Miami employees, 3) City of Miami residents, 4) all others.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.