Police Officer Trainee

For NON-CERTIFIED, CERTIFIED, Lateral Applicants Be at least 20 years old to apply, and 21 years old at the time of hire; AND High School diploma or equivalent. An evaluation of foreign school diploma may be required; AND Have an Associate's Degree or at least sixty (60) college credits; OR Have two (2) years of active or reserve military duty; OR Have three (3) years of consistent, post-high school work experience; OR Have one (1) year of full-time sworn law enforcement experience. Be a citizen of the United States. Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of a felony, or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, shall not be eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, not-withstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication. Never have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. Have good moral character. Successfully pass a background investigation, to include drug testing. Pass a physical examination by a licensed physician Pass the Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT) Complete the Job-Related Assessment Test (JTA) at the Miami-Dade Public Safety Training Institute

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.

If claiming Veteran’s Preference, candidates must provide a DD-214 member 4 form.

Certified and Lateral Police Officer Applicant Additional Qualifications:

Certified:

• Successfully completed the Florida Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Training Program, and successfully passed the Florida State Law Enforcement Officer Certification Examination.
• For Florida Correctional Officers, must have successfully completed a cross-over law enforcement program, and successfully passed the Florida State Law Enforcement Officer Certification Examination.

Lateral:

• If employed as a law enforcement officer outside of Florida, must have successfully completed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Equivalency of Training, and successfully passed the Florida State Law Enforcement Officer Certification Examination within One year of receipt of the approved Equivalency Training.
• Complied with Florida Department of Law Enforcement mandatory retraining or educational requirements for law enforcement officers.
• Employed in a full-time sworn classification by (or separated within preceding 24 months from) another police agency, in possession of a Basic Recruit Certificate of Compliance from the State of Florida, or its equivalent, completed probation with a Florida law enforcement agency, and acquired at least one year of police experience.

**SALARY INCLUDES SUPPLEMENTAL PAY FOR HAZARDOUS DUTY PAY AND FDLE CERTIFICATION. A VARIETY OF ADDITIONAL PAY SUPPLEMENT AND PAY INCENTIVES ARE AVAILABLE BASED UPON ASSIGNMENTS. POLICE TRAINEE SALARY (FOR NON-CERTIFIED) DURING THE POLICE ACADEMY AND/OR TRAINING PERIOD STARTS AT $46,558.37.

Section 445.008, Florida Statutes (F.S.), allows the issuance of a one-time bonus of up to $5,000 to a newly employed officer, who is hired and certified in Florida after July 1, 2022, and is contingent on legislative appropriation and based on the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s (DEO) estimate of newly employed officers for each fiscal year.