Police Officer-Certified

Don’t just join a department. Help build one.

We’re looking for experienced, service-driven professionals who want to be part of something from the beginning.

This is an opportunity to serve the community while helping establish how a new department approaches policing, community relationships, teamwork, and professional service.

Why join us from the start?

• Be a Founding Team Member — Join during a defining moment and help shape the department for years to come.
• Help Build the Culture — Bring your experience, ideas, and perspective to an organization being built around professionalism, service, accountability, and teamwork.
• Make an Immediate Impact — Your work will directly influence how the department serves the community.
• Build Something That Lasts — Help establish practices, traditions, and standards future members will inherit.
• Grow With the Department — Join an organization at the beginning of its story and be part of its development.
• Set the Standard — Work alongside professionals committed to exceptional service, teamwork, integrity, and accountability.

What You’ll Do

As a Police Officer, you’ll do more than perform the traditional responsibilities of law enforcement. As an early member of the department, you’ll also have the opportunity to help establish what exceptional policing and public service look like in our community.

In this role, you’ll:

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for officers who want more than their next assignment. We’re looking for professionals who want to help build something.

The ideal candidate brings sound judgment, integrity, initiative, strong communication skills, and a commitment to serving the community. Just as importantly, we’re looking for people who understand that joining a new department means being adaptable, collaborative, and willing to contribute to a team that is establishing its identity from the ground up.

If you’re excited by the opportunity to serve the community while helping shape the future of a new police department, we encourage you to apply.

Salary/Step Placement: The salary range listed for this position reflects the full range of the applicable salary step schedule. The starting salary and step placement for the selected candidate will be determined based on verification of the candidate’s current salary step, relevant experience, education, certifications, qualifications, and other applicable factors. Placement within the salary range is not guaranteed and may vary based on the selected candidate’s verified qualifications.

Please review the job description and the documentation requirements indicated below.**

APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT PROPER REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION MAY BE DEEMED INCOMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Essential Functions

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Uphold rigorous standards of internal accountability, discipline, and ethical conduct consistent with best practices and City protocols.
• Can be in pursuit, will apprehend, will arrest, and apply other restraints that is applicable to the situation at hand.
• Can perform searches of people, vehicles, buildings.
• Can pursue fleeing suspects and perform rescue operations.
• Exercise independent judgement in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, and when probable cause exists to search and arrest.
• Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• A Florida Law Enforcement Officer Certification is required to be obtained within 180 days of application and must be in place for appointment to the position.
• A valid driver’s license from any state (equivalent to a State of Florida Class E) may be utilized, and the ability to obtain the State of Florida license within thirty (30) days from the date of employment is required.

• Progressively responsible, full-time sworn law enforcement experience beyond the minimum requirements of the position.
• Training and experience conducting criminal investigations, particularly homicide or violent crime, major crimes, sexual offenses, crimes against children, financial or fraud investigations, property crimes, or other complex investigations.
• Training and experience conducting traffic homicide, serious bodily injury, or complex crash investigations, including traffic crash reconstruction or related specialized training.
• Experience conducting comprehensive background investigations for law enforcement, public safety, or other positions of public trust, including evaluating applicant suitability and preparing clear, well-supported investigative reports.
• Experience as a law enforcement instructor or trainer. Current or prior Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission instructor certification, high-liability instructor certification, or comparable specialized instructor credentials are preferred.
• Successful experience as a Field Training Officer, Field Training Supervisor, or equivalent evaluator of probationary law enforcement officers, supported by recognized FTO training or certification.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare thorough investigative reports, manage complex cases, testify effectively, evaluate performance, coach personnel, and work collaboratively across units and partner agencies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, Work Environment and Work Hours

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of pre-established City, County and State policies and procedures applicable to the work.
• Thorough knowledge of the physical and social characteristics of the area, and of criminal law, with particular reference to apprehension, arrests and admissibility to evidence.
• Ability to analytically observe, and objectively and clearly report routine and non-routine, emergency and non-emergency activities.
• Ability to read, update, analyze and maintain various records and files.
• Ability to operate basic office equipment.
• Ability to access, operate and maintain various software applications.
• Ability to drive a motor vehicle.
• Skill in enforcing current principles and practices of police work, governing laws, ordinances, policies and procedures; skill in developing and administering departmental policies and procedures.
• Skill in understanding, following, directing and supervising written and oral instructions.
• Skill in clearly communicating information both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in the principles and techniques of customer relations skills; ability to deal diplomatically with irate, violent or frantic individuals; ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Must demonstrate behaviors that support the City's Mission, Vision and Core Values.
• Required conduct is to be ethical and fair while representing the City. Must be responsible to adhere to all workplace policies that support ethical business practices and standards of conduct including, but not limited to, polices on Gifts, Conflict of Employment, Discipline, Drug Free Workplace, Employment of Relatives, Formal Grievances, Anti-Harassment, Posting of Job Vacancies, Equal Employment Opportunity, Political Activity, and Recruitment and Selection.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, coworkers, elected and appointed officials, and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or political affiliation.