JOB
The Largo Police Department is a State and Nationally Accredited Police Department. All sworn Officers, civilian staff members and volunteers in the Department are committed to providing professional service to the residents of Largo, a commitment highlighted by our Department's Mission Statement.
The City of Largo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
A Police Cadet serves as a paid, at-will employee while attending training at an approved Police Academy. The City of Largo currently utilizes the Southeastern Public Safety Institute (SEPSI), affiliated with St Petersburg College and housed within the Allstate Center. Once a Cadet successfully completes the listed Academy training and the associated Florida Department of Law Enforcement State Exam (SOCE), they are eligible to be sworn in as a Police Officer.
**Tentative start date: 03/25/2024 (now full)
New Tentative start date: 07/08/2024
**Preferred: PASS file must have already been opened or in progress for this particular posting.
**Applications with incorrect or incomplete information will not be considered.**
EMERGENCY RESPONSE STATUS: As a condition of employment, City of Largo employees will be required to work as directed during an undeclared and/or a declared emergency. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the official job description.
Job Description
Additional Compensation/Benefits:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan with a generous 8% City match
• Benefits also include 12 paid leave days and 24 hour full access to City fitness center. Continuous learning is supported through tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
• May receive $1,000 in relocation assistance for candidates outside Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, or Manatee counties.
• Salary incentive for lateral entry, AA or BA degrees, Shift Differential, and Specialty Unit Pay
• Out of county take home vehicle assigned out of FTO
• All equipment is provided

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
All employees share components of leadership, management, technical, and team skills to assist in making the City of Largo the community of choice in Tampa Bay.
Leadership
Demonstrates an understanding and reflection of the City’s mission, vision, and values and a commitment to achieve organizational goals aligned with the City’s strategic plan
Champions a high performance work culture that encourages and embraces new ideas, develops individuals and welcomes and encourages diverse perspectives
Articulates strategic and innovative thinking and provides clarity to deliver superior services
Approaches the job with enthusiasm and curiosity to promote a solutions-oriented work culture
Management
Effectively manages assignments and priorities to ensure the fulfillment of projects, tasks, and responsibilities
Follows suggested procedures to assure the highest standards of risk management, employee safety and risk avoidance
Technical
Responds to assignments received as a result of calls for service from the public and from superior officers
Patrols assigned areas on foot, bicycle, motorcycle or in police vehicles; enforces traffic and criminal laws, parking regulations, and domestic violence injunctions; performs investigations, provides service, and generally provides for the safety of the public
Responds to the scene of crimes, traffic accidents, and incidents; interviews suspects, prisoners, complainants, and witnesses in order to gather information; takes enforcement action, and files official reports
Attends training for the City when necessary
Maintains radio contact with department personnel via two-way radio
Searches for and apprehends suspects involved in criminal activity
Transports prisoners to the police building, detention facility, or treatment facility as required
Testifies and presents evidence in court regarding policing duties
Interacts with diverse groups of people within the department and the community in order to detect, prevent, and investigate suspected criminal activity; monitors businesses for compliance with laws and ordinances, and develops and maintains sources of information about criminal activities
Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances, and acts accordingly to prevent accidents; responsible for safety of self, others, materials, and equipment
Assists medical personnel on site; assists other agencies as required
May be assigned special law enforcement related duties
Team Skills
Supports honest and transparent decision-making
Collaborates with all team members in a way that builds upon ideas and takes personal accountability and ownership of projects, roles, and assignments
Openly exhibits a positive attitude, in word and action, and encourages others to do the same
Performs related work as required.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE STATUS: As a condition of employment, City of Largo employees will be required to work as directed during an undeclared and/or a declared emergency. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the official job description.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
Sixty (60) semester credit hours from an accredited college or university. Accredited college, university, or community college” means a college, university, or community college that has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, another regional accrediting agency, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, or an accrediting agency or association that is recognized by the database created and maintained by the United States Department of Education. The 60 credit hours will be waived for applicants with at least two years prior, sworn law enforcement or corrections experience, or two years active military duty.
Ability to successfully obtain a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Certification. Applicants certified in other States must meet compliance standards as enumerated in Florida Statute 943.13.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to understand the principles and practices of police work, and to understand and enforce laws and ordinances.
Ability to analytically and objectively observe situations and to report and record them clearly and completely.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.
Ability to meet the minimum standards for employment as a Police Officer established by Florida Statute 943.13 and meet background and personal history standards as established by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) 11B-27.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Work Environment: 15% inside a climate controlled building; 85% outside which includes driving.
Physical Requirements: The essential functions of the job require; sitting approximately three (3) hours, standing approximately four (4) hours, and walking approximately three (3) hours during the course of a 10 hour shift. The job also requires frequent: bending/stooping, grasping, reaching, and lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 15 pounds, with occasional: fine manipulations, pulling/pushing, and repetitive motion. On rare occasions the work requires: climbing, crawling, kneeling, and lifting/carrying objects weighing 15 pounds or more.
Sensory Requirements: Hearing: Ability to hear alarm signals, radio transmissions, understand what others are saying in normal conversation, and detect specific noises or voices during group conversations. Speaking: Ability to communicate orally with others in person, via radio and telephone transmissions, and during formal presentations to groups. Seeing: Ability to operate a vehicle, read fine print and normal print, and observe numbers, license plates, and street signs at night.
Driving Requirements: Requires frequent driving and possession of a valid Florida Class Driver’s License and appropriate endorsements.
Technology: The work requires ability to operate telephones, smart phones, tablets, photocopiers, printers, desktop and/or laptop computers, calculators, video recording devices, and all associated software.
Tools: The work requires proficiency with standard police tools.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Yes - DRUG TESTING (Safety Sensitive)
No - CHILDCARE FINGERPRINTING
Yes - CREDIT CHECK
Yes - FDLE AND CJSTC SECURITY CLEARANCE: As mandated by the FDLE, CJSTC and the Largo Police Department, this position may be subject to additional security clearances due to access to the police department facility or police department's electronic data.
Elements of Selection Process:
1. Review of applications for selection of individuals to be interviewed.
2. Schedule those applicants selected to be interviewed.
3. Selected applicants will interview with panel.
4. Conduct criminal background check and driving history record on top applicant.
5. Schedule polygraph for selected top applicant.
6. Schedule physical for top applicant.
7. Verification of three (3) personal references.
8. Schedule applicant to report to sign in at Human Resources and first day of work.
Duration of The Process:
The expected duration of the interview selection process for filling the position should take approximately three (3) to four (4) weeks or longer depending on the size of the applicant pool.
Agency's Policy On Reapplication:
Applicants who complete the process but are not selected will be placed on an eligibility list for 90 days, and/or may reapply in subsequent hiring processes. Applicants who are rejected for sworn employment due to background concerns, or not meeting threshold performance during any phase of the process may not reapply for one year from the date of rejection.
The City of Largo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
** If you are interested in joining the Largo Police Team, please apply today**