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Law Enforcement Officer

Job Description:

The Gainesville Police Department is now hiring Police Officers. Selected candidates will protect life and property through the enforcement of Federal, State, and Local laws. A typical day will include being involved in the prevention, detection, and investigation of crimes and maintaining law and order.

Job Details:

This is law enforcement, crime prevention, and public assistance work protecting life and property through the enforcement of Federal, State, and Local laws. Employees in this classification are involved in the prevention, detection, and investigation of crimes and maintaining law and order.

Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under limited supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its emphasis on public protection.

Certified Police Officer:

To be considered for this position you must be a U.S. Citizen, at least 21 years of age at the time of testing, and meet the following criteria:

1. Possess Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice Standards, and Training Commission's Basic Law Enforcement Certification at the time of appointment and

a. An Associate degree or a minimum of 60 semester credit hours from an accredited college or university; or

b. 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

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

d. 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

e. 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; or

f. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

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

GPD prefers Police Officer to earn 60 college credit hours within three years of start date.

Non-Certified Police Officer

To be considered for this position you must be a U.S. citizen at least 21 years of age at time of testing, and meet one of the following criteria:

a. An Associate degree or a minimum of 60 semester credit hours from an accredited college or university; or

b. 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

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

d. 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

e. 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; or

f. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities

NOTE:

Applicants must be citizens of the United States, 21 years old at the time of testing, and able to meet health, physical, psychological and background standards as set forth by the City of Gainesville and the State of Florida.
Applicant's current lifestyle and recent history must be cannabis free for the past twelve (12) months and free of other illicit or illegal drug use for the past thirty-six (36) months.
Applicants must have no conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral character, perjury, or making false statements; nor after July 1, 1981 have pled guilty or nolo contendre to, or have been found guilty of any such crimes.
Applicants have no DUI convictions in the last 7 years preferred.
Successful completion of all phases of the training curriculum within one year of appointment is required for continued employment as a police officer by the Gainesville Police Department.
Work may require performance of tasks outdoors under varying climatic conditions and performing tasks in and around heavy traffic. Work requires physical strength and agility. Refer to departmental job requirements for additional information.
Applicants must successfully complete a polygraph examination administered by a certified Polygraph Examiner (the primary focus of this component is to assist in determining the accuracy of information provided by the applicant during the selection process).

**May fill multiple positions

**May establish an eligibility list

SUMMARY

This is law enforcement, crime prevention, and public assistance work protecting life and property through the enforcement of Federal, State and Local laws. Employees in this classification are involved in the prevention, detection, and investigation of crimes and maintaining law and order.

EXAMPLES OF WORK*

*This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job. Performance of lower-level duties may be required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Patrols a designated area either by vehicle or foot patrol; being familiar with the assigned area and the citizens living in the area.
Disperses unruly crowds at public gatherings.
Report hazards or abandoned vehicles to the appropriate City department.
Uses a computer to type reports and other documents.
Directs/reroutes traffic around accidents, fire, and/or other emergencies and hazards.
Maintains assigned equipment and workstation.
Effectively interacts and communicates with the public.
Applies federal, state, and local laws, Department Manual, Policies and Procedures, Patrol Directives, and Legal Bulletins.
Effectively participates in court-related processes.
Conduct criminal and crash investigations.
Secures crash and crime scenes, and the collection and submission of evidence.
Conducts interview, interrogation, and statement acquisition.
Effectively participates in searches, seizures, and arrests.
Conducts security and escort duties.
Renders first aid.
Will be required to respond under emergency conditions.
Issues warnings or tickets to violators of the law.
May be assigned desk officer duties on an assigned shift including maintaining logs and other records, receiving and acting on complaints and requests, facilitating the dispatch of officers to scenes of complaints, disturbances, crimes, and other emergencies.
Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

May act as training officer for police recruit personnel as well as for certified police officers in areas assigned by police supervisory personnel.
May be responsible for enforcing the drug policy, based on physical location and organizational structure.
May be required to supervise employees designated as performing “safety sensitive” functions, for purposes of the Drug Free Workplace Program, depending on job assignment and work location.
May be required to work with, or will have access to information or documents pertaining to criminal investigations, especially those dealing with drug related activity.
May frequently chauffeur other employees, depending upon assignment and work location.
May be required to transport, mix, handle or use hazardous materials (other than cans of gasoline, batteries, pumping fuel or access to normal janitorial cleaning supplies) or may be responsible for facilities or equipment carrying electric current, fluid or gas that could endanger the public or other employees.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Must meet one of the following criteria:

-An Associate degree or a minimum of sixty (60) semester hours from an accredited college or university;

-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;

-OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

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

NOTE: GPD prefers Police Officer to earn 60 college credit hours within three years of start date.

CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES

Licenses

Valid State of Florida Driver License required at time of appointment. Applicants must have a good driving record at time of appointment.

Gainesville Police Cadets who successfully complete the training program may be eligible for employment as a Police Officer if they are a citizen of the United States, are twenty (20) years of age at the time of testing, and able to meet health, physical, psychological and background standards as set forth by the City of Gainesville and the State of Florida.

With the exception of Gainesville Police Cadets who have successfully completed the training program, all other applicants must be a citizen of the United States, twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of testing, and able to meet health, physical, psychological and background standards as set forth by the City of Gainesville and the State of Florida.

Applicants must have no conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral character, perjury, or making false statements; nor after July 1, 1981, have pled guilty or nolo contendre to, or have been found guilty of any such crimes.

Applicant’s current lifestyle and recent history must be cannabis free for the past twelve (12) months and free of other illicit or illegal drug use for the past thirty-six (36) months.

Refer to departmental job requirements for additional information.

Certifications

Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission’s Basic Law Enforcement Certification required at the time of appointment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of Florida Statutes and City ordinances.
Knowledge of City geography.
Skill in use and care of firearms, in operating police vehicles and other required police equipment.
Ability to act effectively in diverse interpersonal settings.
Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine appropriate course of action under stress.
Ability to react quickly and calmly under emergency conditions.
Ability to prepare clear and comprehensive reports.
Ability to apply law enforcement principles and procedures to solve problems and to handle sensitive and hostile public contacts.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to obtain relevant and accurate information through interview, interrogation and observation.
Ability to handle difficult situations firmly, courteously and tactfully and with respect for the rights of others.
Ability to maintain security and confidentiality.
Working knowledge of computers and relevant software and the ability to apply such knowledge in the performance of job duties.
Ability to work effectively with coworkers and problem solving with the general public.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work related environmental conditions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Per Gainesville Police Department General Order 22.3, police officers are required to maintain a level of physical fitness that will enable them to perform their essential duties effectively.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work may require performing tasks in and around heavy traffic.

Work may require performance of tasks outdoors under varying climatic conditions.

Come join our team! The City of Gainesville oﬀers a competitive beneﬁts package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.

All ‘regular’ employees are eligible for traditional beneﬁts such as health insurance, life insurance, paid leave, 11 paid a holidays a year, a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan, but we also oﬀer great things like on-site ﬁtness centers, tuition reimbursement, interest free loans for purchase of ﬁtness equipment, on-site medical staﬀ and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy. Please note; benefits are not available for temporary employees.

If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, contact recruiting at Figueredoam@cityofgainesville.org or by calling 352-213-1175.