Police Officer and Police Cadet
The St. Petersburg Police Department is accepting applications for:
- Police Officer (Florida Certified Law Enforcement Officers)
- Police Cadet (Full Academy Sponsorship Program -or-
- Equivalency of Training Academy Sponsorship for out-of-state Certified Law Enforcement Officer).
Applicants will only be considered after submitting required documents. Applicants will be invited to participate in the pre-employment process once an application is submitted.
Job Overview Summary:
• This is police work involving the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances.
Duties:
• Patrols a designated area of the City on an assigned shift; prevents and detects criminal activity; enforces traffic regulations. Works closely with community organizations to identify and resolve problems affecting the safety and security of the neighborhood.
• Responds to calls and complaints including, but not limited to domestic situations, public illness and injury, disturbances, natural disasters, fires, misdemeanors, and felonies; takes necessary police action; makes arrests, applying necessary force as dictated by the situation; transports and processes prisoners.
• Collects evidence and conducts preliminary investigation of criminal conduct and vehicular accidents; locates and questions witnesses; serves warrants; testifies in court. Investigates crimes against persons such as, but not limited to murder, assault and manslaughter; preserves and protects crime scenes; questions victims, suspects, and witnesses; collects evidence and calls for technical identification and laboratory assistance where necessary to evaluate such evidence; investigates complaints of theft or damage to property; investigates reports of breaking and entering buildings; and secures property as necessary.
• Investigates complaints involving juveniles, reports of child neglect, and persons reported to be contributing to the delinquency of minors; periodically checks business establishments and public places known to be frequented by juveniles; discusses problems with children and parents to determine effective course of action; refers juveniles to appropriate authorities when home or related conditions appear to be unsatisfactory. Takes juveniles into custody applying specific laws related to their apprehension.
• Investigates adult and juvenile cases involving the sale and/or use of narcotics; obtains information from selected sources regarding current narcotic activities.
• May be assigned administrative duties on an assigned shift; checks radio operability; issues and receives equipment; maintains logs and other records; receives and acts on complaints and requests; communicates by radio from the scenes of complaints, disturbances, crimes, or other emergencies.
• May be assigned to various special support functions such as, the use of a police boat in the enforcement of ordinances and statutes applicable to waterways and the instruction of water safety education; work as a K-9 Unit with responsibility for tracking and drug detection; work in the SWAT team resolving high risk situations; work in the Crime Prevention Unit with responsibility for developing, coordinating and presenting crime prevention programs.
• Demonstrates qualification with and uses department issued weapons; maintains departmental issued supplies and equipment, including weapons, ammunition, and specialized unit supplies and equipment.
• Conducts “performance” driving techniques in compliance with department policy.
• Inspects assigned police vehicle and provides nonmechanical servicing such as checking and adding oil; filling fuel tank; inflating tires.
• Demonstrates ability to and performs defensive combat tactics.
• Maintains departmental issued weapons, ammunition and specialized unit supplies and equipment.
• Performs related duties as may be assigned and/or enacted by applicable department general orders.
Knowledge and Skills:
• Considerable knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances necessary for effective law enforcement, with special emphasis on criminal law, procedure, evidence, pursuit of suspects, and search and seizure law.
• Considerable knowledge of the geography of the City.
• Considerable ability to exercise discretion and to protect confidential or sensitive information.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine the proper course of action.
• Ability to cope with stressful situations firmly, courteously and tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others.
• Ability to apprehend suspects, including the application of forcible arrest techniques.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly under emergency conditions.
• Ability to work alone or as part of a team.
• Ability to obtain and record information through interview, interrogation, and observation.
• Ability to use communications equipment, computers and applicable software applications.
• Ability to understand and execute complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, in both one on one situations and to groups of people.
• Ability to qualify in the use and care of firearms and use firearms in the line of duty, and to demonstrate an ability to employ defensive tactics and techniques.
• Ability to operate vehicle and demonstrate “performance” driving techniques.
Minimum Requirements:
• 19 years of age at time of application.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen (born or naturalized).
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Be of good moral character in accordance with Florida Statute 943.13 (7).
• No felony convictions.
• No misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statement, moral character offenses or domestic violence offenses.
• Meet the department drug standards.
• Have not received a dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces.
• H.S. diploma AND 45 College Credits from an accredited institution (Cadet Position) OR H.S. diploma AND 60 College Credits from an accredited institution (Certified Position).
OR
3 years of military experience with the U.S. Armed Forces.
OR
2 years of full-time sworn law enforcement experience.
• Tattoos on the hands, face, neck, and scalp are prohibited.
• 20/100 uncorrected, in each eye, corrected to 20/40 by glasses. Visual acuity may exceed uncorrected limits if visual acuity of 20/20 can be achieved through the use of soft contact lenses.
• Successfully complete all phases of the hiring process. The process is comprehensive, and all information obtained will be verified.
Thank you for your interest in becoming a part of the St. Petersburg Police Department. Please visit our website to review our selection process and submit an application. Contact our recruiter with any questions regarding the hiring process at (727) 892-5555 or Police.recruiter@stpete.org
Information regarding the St. Petersburg Police Department, Cadet training program, new hire incentive information, benefits, and selection standards, can be found using the links on the following webpage: https://police.stpete.org/employmentOfficer/index.html#gsc.tab=0