Police Officer Testing

The Punta Gorda Police Department will be testing candidates for the position of Police Officer.  Upon successful completion of the testing process candidates will be eligible for consideration for police officer positions.  Starting salary will be $64,078.56.
 
Applications and all required documents must be received by Human Resources no later than 4:00pm on Friday, February 14, 2025.  Please only provide specified documents.

CLICK THIS LINK FOR IMPORTANT POLICE OFFICER TESTING INFORMATION

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE RELEASE FOR CREDIT/PERSONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION FORM AND ATTACH TO YOUR APPLICATION. THIS IS REQUIRED UPON SUBMITTAL.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE DRUG FREE AND CERTIFICATION FORM AND ATTACH TO YOUR APPLICATION. THIS IS REQUIRED UPON SUBMITTAL.
 
Applicants who have placed their names on the current list to test by submitting their application, but are unable to attend, should contact Human Resources by email so their names can be removed.
 
The City of Punta Gorda employs three tools in determining the qualifications of each Police Officer candidate:

Written Examination: The written examination will be administered virtually and may be taken at any time between Friday, February 21, 2025, and Friday, February 28,  2025 .Candidates will be provided with the website and login information once the application process has closed. The written examination is comprised of three section: Grammar, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics. Candidates must receive a passing score of 70% on both the Grammar and Reading Comprehension sections and a minimum composite score of 60% for all three sections to move forward in the process. Study guides are available through the testing company website for a nominal fee.

 

Oral Board Examinations: The oral board examinations will be held in-person or via Zoom video conference on Thursday, March 20, 2025, for those candidates who successful pass the written examination. Candidates will be assigned the time for their oral board after written examination is completed.
 
 Applicants who successfully complete this pre-hire testing process will be placed in the Police Officer Eligibility List and are not automatically in position of employment. They may be considered for a Police Officer position as such positions become available. Eligibility for consideration of employment will last for one year from the date of the written exam or until the eligibility list is depleted.
 
 
NOTICE 
Florida Administrative Code 11B-27 provides guidelines for the certification, employment, appointment, revocation and denial of certification for sworn law enforcement officers in the State of Florida. In addition to those guidelines, candidates for employment will be removed from consideration under the following circumstances:
 

1. Any previous Professional Standards (internal affairs) investigations or the like involving excessive use of force with a sustained finding;
2. Any previous Professional Standards (internal affairs) investigations or the like involving untruthfulness with a sustained finding;
3. Any illegal misdemeanor narcotic possession or usage within the past 24 months; and
4. Any illegal felony narcotic possession or usage within the past 60 months.

The City of Punta Gorda is a Drug Free Workplace, Equal Opportunity and Veterans’ Preference Employer.  All elements of the selection process shall be job related and the criteria for selection of candidates is not based upon a candidate’s race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information, and is therefore determined to be non-discriminatory.

• Observe, detect, and apprehend violators of traffic and other laws;
• Observe and take appropriate action regarding any hazards to the community and any illegal criminal activities;
• Respond to emergency calls for service and assist the Fire Department and EMS as necessary;
• Conduct investigations as needed;
• Determine appropriate action to be taken at each incident;
• May be required to complete a written report of various activities during a shift.
• Complete all appropriate forms when required for an incident, including reports to other local or state law enforcement agencies, departmental forms, logs, and summaries;
• Complete the processing of evidence, as needed;
• Review necessary reports and documentation of incidents.
• Provide testimony concerning an incident, as may be required by the court; and safely operate a police motor vehicle in an emergency-mode.

• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalency.
• Associate degree in police science, sociology or related field preferred.
• Must meet the minimum requirements as established by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
• Previous experience dealing with the general public preferred.
• Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license.
• Must possess a current Florida Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Certificate, or be able to acquire it within six months of being hired by the Department.

KNOWLEGDE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Knowledge of local and State statutes, laws, ordinances, and the necessary procedures for their enforcement;
• Knowledge of the use of emergency communication equipment, codes, and response protocols;
• Knowledge of the use of technical equipment including but not limited to: computers, cameras, and radar units;
• Knowledge of the use of law enforcement equipment, including but not limited to: personal safety devices, firearms, non-lethal weapons (TASER, baton, subject control spray), and suspect restraints;
• Knowledge of defensive tactics techniques and techniques for restraining suspects;
• Knowledge in operating a police vehicle, including a high-speed pursuit, proper placement during an incident and/or traffic stop, and proper general care and maintenance;
• Skills in the use of emergency communication equipment, codes, and response protocols;
• Skills in the use of technical equipment including computers, cameras, and radar units;
• Skills in the use of law enforcement equipment, including personal safety devices, fire arms, non-lethal weapons (TASER, baton, subject control spray), and suspect restraints;
• Skills in operating a police vehicle, including a high-speed pursuit, proper placement during an incident and/or traffic stop, and proper general care and maintenance;
• Ability to identify and analyze problems, evaluate alternative solutions, and make sound judgments;
• Ability to move quickly and forcefully in response to unexpected situations;
• Ability to maneuver and work in a variety of ground conditions;
• Ability to operate patrol vehicles in emergency mode;
• Ability to get in and out of a patrol car on a frequent basis; 
• Ability to successfully pass a physical skills and agility test.

Essential Physical  Abilities:
Code:    Constant = 2/3 or more of the time
               Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
               Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time
               N/A = Not applicable

Heavy lifting (45 lbs.. and over)			X
Moderate lifting (15 to 44 lbs.)			X
Light lifting (under 15 lbs.)		X
Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over)			X
Moderate carrying (14 to 44 lbs.)			X
Light carrying (under 15 lbs.)		X
Reaching above shoulder		X
Use of fingers	X
Both hands required	X
Climbing (use of legs and arms)			X
Climbing (legs only)		X
Good near vision	X
Good distant vision	X
Both eyes required	X
Depth perception	X
Distinguishing basic colors	X
Distinguishing shades of colors			X
Good hearing (with or without hearing aid)	X
Straight pulling			X
Pulling hand over hand			X
Pushing			X
Walking		X
Standing		X
Crawling			X
Kneeling			X
Bending		X
Balancing			X
Stooping			X
Jumping			X
Running			X
Throwing			X
Driving (cars, small vans, pick-ups, etc.)	X
Driving & operating (heavy equip., trucks, etc.)			X

 

Environmental Conditions:

Code:    Constant = 2/3 or more of the time

Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time

Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time

N/A = Not applicable

Environment	Constant	Frequent	Occasional	N/A
Work Inside		X
Work Outside		X
In the Heat		X
In the Cold			X
In High Humidity		X
In Dampness or Chilliness		X
In Dry Conditions		X
In or with Noisy Conditions			X
In Darkness		X
In or with Dusty Conditions			X
With Silica, Asbestos, etc.				X
With Fumes or Gases				X
With Smoke or Flames			X
With Chemicals				X
With Solvents				X
With Grease or Oils				X
With Radiant Energy				X
With Electrical Energy			X
On Slippery Surfaces			X
On Uneven Surfaces		X
In or With Moving Objects			X
In or With Ladders/Scaffolding				X
At Heights above Ground Level			X
Below Ground Level			X
In Water			X
With Explosives			X
With Poor Ventilation			X
With Odors			X
With Unusual Fatigue Factors			X

Disclaimers:  
All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  Individuals who cannot perform some of the requirements because they pose health or safety risks to themselves or other employees may be excluded from this position.  This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by this supervisor.  Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.  This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STATEMENT:
Every City employee has emergency response responsibilities, though not every position will require routine assignments during an emergency event.  All employees may be 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 employee's official job description. Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.

The City of Punta Gorda is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City will not knowingly permit discrimination in hiring, promotion, or other conditions of employment with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, ethnicity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or national origin.

The information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, environmental conditions, or qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Certain Service Members and Veterans, and the spouses and family members of such Service Members and Veterans, receive preference and priority, and that certain Service Members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements, and are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled.  

Salary : $64,079 - $90,942