Classification Title:

Law Enforcement Trainee

Job Description: Attend Police Academy as a police recruit for the purpose of obtaining a Florida law enforcement certification. Employee will attend all classes/functions as prescribed and scheduled by the Police Academy and class instructors. Employee will study and pass exams for the following coursework:   Law enforcement vehicle operations, First aid for criminal justice officers, Criminal justice firearms, Criminal justice defensive tactics, Dart-firing stun gun, Criminal justice officer physical fitness training, Introduction to law enforcement, Legal, Interactions in a diverse community, Interviewing and report writing, Fundamentals of Patrol, Calls for service, Criminal investigations, Crime scene to courtroom, Critical incidents, Traffic stops, DUI traffic stops, Traffic crash investigations, and Scenarios.  Upon successful completion of the Police Academy, employee will be required to register for, take and pass the Florida law enforcement state certification exam administered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Miscellaneous duties. This position is designated as an Essential Employee. Essential employees provide vital support to the UF and are subject to recall to work when deemed necessary by the Chief of Police/designee. Recall to work typically happens due to an emergency, disaster or special event that may coincide with the official suspension of classes and/or closing of offices.  

NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE:

a) Daily 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.                           
b) Total hours biweekly: 80       
c) Explain any variation in workweek, split shifts, on-call status or rotations:  Employee works 8-hour training days.  Changes in class schedule and overtime sometimes required depending upon training needs.  This position will be subject to on-call status.

Advertised Salary:

$22.20/hourly

*Newly employed officers may be eligible for a one-time payment of up to $5,000 under the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program.

After successful completion of the Basic Recruit Course and the State Certification Exam, non-certified officers are promoted into the Certified Police Officer Job Classification, and are given the related salary increases.

MILITARY VETERANS:

Qualified Military Veterans may earn an additional $1,030.00 per month, while training in the Police Academy*. This compensation is a Federal Program and is in no way connected to the University of Florida.

*Montgomery GI bill - (Active Duty who complete an enlistment of three years or more. Ch. 30 of title 38 U.S.C.).  Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs for additional information.

Minimum Requirements:

An associate degree or a minimum of sixty (60) semester hours from an accredited college or university; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must meet Florida statutory and Administrative Code requirements. Must meet the requirements of Chapter 943, Florida Statutes.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Preference will be given to candidates who have earned 60 college credit hours. 

- OR graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma and three (3) years of prior law enforcement or corrections experience at a department of medium-to-large size;

- OR graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma and three (3) years of full-time, active military experience;

- OR graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma and five (5) years of experience as a member of a Police Department Reserve Force;

- OR graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma and five (5) years of post-high school work experience serving the public at-large.

*NOTE: UFPD prefers Police Officers to earn 60 college credit hours within three years of start date and you must have at a minimum a bachelor’s degree to be promoted.  UFPD offers tuition reimbursement.

Bachelor's Degree; working knowledge of principles of proper grammar usage; ability and skill in operation of a motor vehicle; ability to work in dangerous and stressful situation; ability to understand and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures; ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral communications; ability to exercise independent judgment without supervision; ability to investigate and obtain critical facts; ability to identify and describe facts and events accurately; ability to collect and evaluate data; ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with others; ability to deal with individuals and critical situations in an effective manner; must maintain a high level of physical fitness.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

Must be eligible to obtain Florida law enforcement certification.

If you are currently enrolled in an academy, please apply.

This position is eligible for veteran’s preference. If you are claiming veteran’s preference, please upload a copy of your DD 214 Member Copy 4 with your application for consideration. See our Veteran's Preference Page  for more specific information.

Health Assessment Required: Yes