Police Officer Cadet/Police Officer

• Job Title: Police Officer – $2,000 Signing Bonus* (Or $5,000 for Experienced FLA Certified)**
• Category: Full-Time
• Application Closing Date: March 7, 2025
• Application:

• $20.94 - $26.08 Per Hour Minimum, Depending on Experience and Certifications
• Annual Step for Performance Pay Adjustments
• 12 Vacation Days
• 12 Sick Days
• 12 Paid Holidays Per Year
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Plans
• Co-Sponsored Defined Benefit Pension Plan and Social Security Coverage
• Flexible Education, Training and Development Opportunities
• Education/Tuition Assistance Program
• Employee Assistance Program – to Include Mental Health Assistance/Services
• “Take Home” Police Vehicle Option

Minimum Starting Rate of Pay, Pending Experience and Certifications

Police Officer Cadet - $20.94 Per Hour With Benefits

Police Officer Trainee - $22.94 Per Hour for the Multi-Week Field Training Program With Benefits

Police Officer - $26.08 Per Hour After Completion of a Multi-Week Field Training Program With Benefits

Performs professional law enforcement work. Operates a police vehicle to patrol designated areas to preserve law and order; to prevent and detect the commission of crimes; to enforce criminal and traffic laws and to provide general assistance to the public. Operates a police radio to maintain communications with headquarters and supervisor. Responds to calls and complaints of incidents involving traffic accidents, criminal activities or violations, including misdemeanors, felonies and other accidents or disasters. Secures the scene of the incident to restore peace, protect evidence, property and assist injured persons. Administers first aid; calls for medical assistance; interviews complainants and witnesses; takes detailed statements from witnesses and suspects; issues summonses when appropriate. Completes and prepares detailed reports; serves warrants; makes arrests; transports suspects to detention facility; testifies as a witness in court proceedings as needed. Conducts routine follow-up investigations of assigned cases, conducts stakeouts, and surveillance of designated locations. Issues traffic summonses, warnings, parking citations, and vehicle defect correction notices. Directs traffic at special events and congested intersections as needed; escorts funeral processions and other official escorts as assigned. Demonstrates proficiency in the use and care of firearms; meets minimum requirements set by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. May serve as field training officer for new police officers. Performs other related law enforcement duties as assigned by supervisor. This is not intended to be an all-inclusive listing of essential job functions; the performance of other essential functions may be required.

Police Officer Cadets will:

• Enroll in the next available police academy of the City’s choosing.
• Successfully graduate from the named police academy within the prescribed time.
• Successfully pass the next available state certification test offered after academy graduation
• Meet and maintain all minimum eligibility, qualifications and standards for a police officer pursuant to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Standards and Training, the City of Winter Haven, and the Winter Haven Police Department
• Represent the City in a favorable and professional way both in and outside of academy classes
• Repay the City all or a portion of the academy fees and related expenses if program terms and conditions agreed upon in writing are not fulfilled.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, practices, rules, regulations, procedures, and operations of law enforcement.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and City criminal laws and ordinances and the criminal justice system operations.
• Knowledge of technical police report writing.
• Physical ability, strength and flexibility sufficient to perform the essential job functions.
• Ability to ambulate independently and operate a vehicle safely for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to lift and/or move heavy objects or persons in the course of rescue activities.
• Ability to physically overcome the physical resistance of a suspect and make a forcible arrest.
• Ability to give chase on foot and climb obstacles in the course of law enforcement/criminal apprehension activities.
• Ability to withstand working outside in all extreme weather conditions.
• Ability to observe and record events accurately and completely; to define problems; establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to read and write legibly; to make written notes; to take detailed statements, and to prepare technical reports and correspondence.
• Ability to make public contacts; to interview witnesses, victims, and suspects and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, employees, and the general public.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions and to react calmly and responsively in emergency situations.
• Ability and proficiency in the use and care of firearms.
• Ability to work rotating shifts with occasional overtime.

• Must be at least 19 years of age and a citizen of the United States.
• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.
• Must not have been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor involving perjury or the making of false claims.
• Must not have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States.
• Must pass a physical examination with a drug screen.
• Must demonstrate acceptable physical agility and strength.
• Must have a good moral character.
• Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a polygraph examination.
• Must be able to successfully complete all training requirements including the State required police academy curriculum, field training program, periodic in-service training and weaponry qualifications and a one-year probationary period.
• Current Florida State certified law enforcement officers, graduates of a Florida police academy having passed the Florida State Officer Certification Exam, or certified officers from another state who have completed the Florida State Equivalency course are preferred.

• Must possess a valid Florida Class E drivers’ license and a good driving record as determined by the City of Winter Haven.
• All new hires/academy graduates will be classified as a Police Officer Trainee, compensated at a lesser rate of pay, and must undergo a multi-week Field Training Program.
• Upon satisfactory completion of the training program, the incumbent will be re-classified as a Police Officer with the rate of pay adjusted to at least the minimum of this same classification.

• Must have the physical ability, strength and flexibility to perform the job functions in the work environment.
• Ability to ambulate independently; to stand, walk, sit, and operate a vehicle safely for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to lift and/or move heavy objects or persons in the course of rescue activities.
• Ability to physically overcome the physical resistance of a suspect and make a forcible arrest.
• Ability to give chase on foot and climb obstacles in the course of law enforcement/criminal apprehension activities.
• Ability to withstand working outside in all extreme weather conditions.
• Visual ability, including the possession of depth perception and the ability to recognize colors, sufficient to operate a police vehicle both day and night, to observe criminal actions taking place, to positively identify suspects, to observe traffic violations taking place, to read and write reports, correspondence, etc.
• Ability to speak and enunciate clearly to communicate effectively with other individuals in person, over the phone or over a radio.
• Hearing ability sufficient to understand radio transmissions, conversations with other individuals both in person and over the phone.
• Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.

• $2,000 for Police Officers: $1,000.00 after successful completion of field training; $1,000.00 after completion of first year.

**$5,000.00 for Experienced Florida Certified Law Enforcement Bonus: $2,500.00 after successful completion of field training; $2,500.00 after completion of first year.

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer And A Drug-Free Workplace