Being a police officer in Florida can be rewarding 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 get into a police training academy, you have to meet basic qualifications.
Minimum qualifications are required 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 the police 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 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 the basic training academy.
Step 2: Pass the background check.
The state of Florida will scrutinize your background if you want to become a police officer.You need to provide 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 previous traffic violations or domestic violence convictions.If you have been discharged from the United States military, you can't become a police officer in Florida.Good moral character is determined by the background investigation.Standards and Training Commission procedures are followed in this investigation.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 examination.A licensed physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse can perform the physical examination.If you are 20 pounds over the recommended weight for your height, you won't be able to pass the physical examination.Different counties have different physical requirements.Miami-Dade requires candidates to pass a physical agility test and a toxicology screen.
Step 4: There are different requirements for various professions.
Different counties in Florida may have extra requirements of their own, even though the state has a set of requirements.You will 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 geographical area.Even though the state only requires a high school diploma, you will need to have an associate degree or higher in order to qualify.It is possible to get an incentive bonus payment every month if you have a higher level degree.Miami-Dade has very 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 20/30 with glasses.A polygraph examination is required in Miami-Dade.The requirements to become a Florida sheriff's deputy are the same as those for becoming a police officer.To become a sheriff's deputy, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and pass a background check, as well as a vision, medical, psychological and fitness evaluation.
Step 5: The training for new officers needs to be completed.
If you want to become a police officer in Florida, you will need to take a Basic Abilities Test.You can take 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 BAT test results are valid for four years.The BAT will assess written comprehension, information ordering, spatial orientation, 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 4 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.If you are an out-of-state, federal or military officer who has less than an 8-year break in service, you will need to complete these two steps.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 should 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 a year.
Step 8: The state requires that you take and pass the exam.
You can register online.After completing required training, you will have three attempts to pass the exam.You can take the exam 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 additional fees.Pearson VUE administers the exam.You can't schedule your exam until the Florida Department of Law Enforcement authorizes it.You can make an appointment for the exam up to one day before the test you want to take.
Step 9: The candidate handbooks are provided by the state.
The registration guides, handbook, and FAQ are available 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 exam you were authorized to take.You can submit an exam review if you fail the test.Subject matter experts will review these explanations.They will let you know within 30 days if you have failed.
Step 10: Seek a job.
In order to get a police officer job in Florida, you will have to pass a series of other tests and investigations.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 be a police officer, you will have to undergo a medical and psychological examination.You will need to take a physical agility test that 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 required.
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.