It is possible to become a police officer in Florida with good pay and benefits.There are many certification and training steps you will need to complete in order to get into the profession.You need to meet the basic requirements of both the state and jurisdiction where you are applying.
Step 1: To apply to a police training academy, you have to meet basic qualifications.
Minimum qualifications are needed to become a police officer in Florida.The first step you need to take to become a police officer in Florida is to register for a training academy.To enter an academy, you must be at least 19 years of age and a citizen of the United States.A valid driver's license is required by most agencies.The state has basic requirements, but some cities and counties have tougher requirements.You have to be at least 21 years old to live within a 35-mile circle of the city limits.If you want to be a parole officer, you need a bachelor's degree and a high school diploma.There are many sites throughout Florida that serve as basic training academies.
Step 2: Pass the background check.
The state of Florida will scrutinize your background if you try to become a police officer.You need to give your fingerprints to facilitate the background check.If you have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor that involves perjury, the state will not consider you.If you want to work for the Highway Patrol or as a Florida Trooper, you must not have convictions for traffic violations or domestic violence.If you have been discharged from the United States military, you cannot become a police officer in Florida.Good moral character is determined by the background investigation.The investigation is following the procedures of the Standards and Training Commission.To satisfy this requirement, you will have to undergo an interview.
Step 3: Pass a physical exam.
In order to become a police officer in Florida, you will need to pass a physical exam.A licensed physician, physician assistant or registered nurse can perform the physical examination.If you are over the recommended weight for your height, you won't be able to pass the physical examination.There are different physical requirements in different counties.Miami-Dade requires candidates to pass a physical agility test and a toxicology screen.
Step 4: There are different requirements for different professions.
Different counties in Florida may have extra requirements of their own, as the state has a set of requirements.You have more options if you don't care where you work.You should research the county or city's rules if you are limited to a certain area.Even though the state only requires a high school degree, you will need to have an associate degree or higher in order to qualify.If you have a higher level degree, you can sometimes get an incentive bonus payment every month.Miami-Dade has specific vision requirements.If you want to live in Miami-Dade, your eyesight needs to be 20/50 in each eye.Each eye should be 30.A polygraph examination is required in Miami-Dade.The requirements to become a Florida sheriff's deputy are similar to those for becoming a police officer.To become a sheriff's deputy, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school degree or GED, and pass a background check, as well as a vision, medical, psychological and fitness evaluation.
Step 5: New officers need to complete the training.
If you want to become a police officer in Florida, you will need to take a Basic Abilities Test.You can get the BAT at most police officer training schools.It is only available in Florida.A job task analysis predicts the likelihood that a person will succeed in basic recruit training and the State Officer Certification Examination.The results of the test are valid for four years.The BAT will assess written comprehension, information ordering, spatial orientation, memorization, and problem sensitivity.It can be taken on the computer or on paper and pencil.If you are a new officer crossing over from another discipline, you can complete a cross over training program.You need to attend a commission-certified training school.Cross over training is related to being a police officer.If you are a correctional officer, you could qualify for cross-over training.
Step 6: The training for former police officers is incomplete.
Training is valid for four years if you have had less than a 4-year break in service.If you were a police officer in Florida between 4 and 8 years ago, you will need to complete an equivalency of training and demonstrate your skills.You will need to complete these two steps if you are an out-of-state, federal or military officer who has less than 8 years of service.You will not be subject to full recruit training if you have the equivalency of training.You will need to pass the state certification exam within a year.If you were a Florida police officer more than 8 years ago, you will need to take the BAT test or the cross over training program.
Step 7: You have to sign up for the test.
The commission certified training centers and selection centers offer the test.Florida state law requires the BAT test.You should contact the testing site to get the fees if they vary by site.The same is true when it comes to scheduling information.Study guides and practice tests are offered by test providers.A list of providers is provided by the state.You can't take the test more than three times.
Step 8: The state requires that you take and pass the exam.
You can register online.After you complete required training, you will have three attempts to pass the exam.The exam can be taken at authorized test sites.Some of the test sites are public and some are private.Many of them are at local colleges.It will cost at least $100 to take the exam.Depending on the test site, you may have to pay some additional fees.Pearson VUE administers the exam.You can't schedule your exam until the Florida Department of Law Enforcement authorizes it.It is possible to make an appointment for the exam up to one day before the test.
Step 9: The candidate handbooks are provided by the state.
The registration guides, handbook, and FAQ can be found online through the Florida Department of Law enforcement.They give detailed instructions on how to create an exam web account.To schedule an exam, you will need to provide your legal name, date of birth, form of payment and name of the examination you were authorized to take.You can submit an exam review if you fail the test.Subject matter experts will review the explanations.They will let you know within 30 days if you have failed.
Step 10: Look for a job.
If you apply for a police officer job in Florida, you will have to take a series of other tests and investigations that are unique to that jurisdiction.If you apply to be a police officer in Florida, you will have to go through a background investigation and take a polygraph test.If you want to become a police officer, you will have to undergo a medical and psychological examination.The physical agility test requires the completion of 15 push-ups in a minute, 25-sit ups in one minute and a 1.5 mile run in less than 18 minutes.There are similar requirements in many jurisdictions.
Step 11: A certificate of compliance is needed.
Once you get a job, your employer needs to apply for a certificate of compliance from the state.If you have not completed the required training, passed the certification exam, and processed fingerprints with the agency, you won't get the certificate.The certification will be issued by the records section of the state.