Certified Police Officer

City-of-Miami-Beach; Washington; On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Miami Beach is seeking officers to perform general police functions focused on crime prevention, life and property protection, and community service. Responsibilities include patrolling, responding to calls, enforcing laws, and assisting in investigations with proper documentation and evidence handling.

The role emphasizes public safety, collaboration with other agencies, and participation in civil defense and community outreach programs.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old at hire.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; Florida certification is referenced.
• Several paths to certification or academy completion are listed.
• Citizen of the U.S. or eligible for citizenship by deadline.

Responsibilities

• Patrols, responds to calls, and arrest offenders when lawful.
• Maintains community order and resolves crises with referrals when needed.
• Enforces traffic laws and investigates accidents.
• Directs traffic, participates in canine and harbor patrol duties.
• Prepares reports and supports investigations with evidence gathering.

Skills

Patrol duties

Criminal law knowledge

Investigations

Traffic enforcement

Community outreach

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree

Military service (3 years)

Tools

Firearms handling

Communication equipment

Electronic detectors

Evidence handling

Job description

General police functions

General police functions in the prevention of crime, protection of life and property and apprehension of criminal offenders, through the enforcement of laws and ordinances and the maintenance of community order through the performance of numerous human services, as well as providing general information and assistance to the public.

COMPLEXITY/SCOPE AND EFFECT

The work consists of related law enforcement duties. The need to respond to dangerous, high-profile, and unexpected or unusual events contributes to the complexity of the position.· The purpose of this position is to participate in patrol or investigative activities or in the performance of specialized and technical police functions. Success in this position results in the enforcement of laws and the increased safety of life and property in the City of Miami Beach.

Responsibilities

• Patrols and prevents crime and answers a wide variety of calls and complaints and arrests those engaged in any violation of a criminal law or ordinance.
• Maintains community order by responding to calls and situations which may escal (social crises, or personal problems) to community disorders and resolves these insofar as possible, through application of personal skills or through referral to proper social agencies.
• Enforces traffic laws and investigates traffic accidents.
• Directs traffic, participates in canine and harbor patrol duties and assignments.
• Answers questions asked by the public and gives directions.
• Issues summonses and warnings and serves subpoenas and warrants.
• Assists in controlling crowds; testifies in court; checks doors and windows of commercial establishments after closing hours.
• Performs duties and assignments in coordination with the Investigations Division.
• Participates in Civil Defense programs.
• Prepares reports and records of prescribed duties.
• Acts as a community outreach officer; utilizes firearms, communication equipment, electronic detectors, audiovisual equipment and the like.
• Works at Report Control Center screening requests for service and answering telephone.
• Performs various clerical and administrative tasks, as required.
• Oversees custody, care and control of prisoners when assigned jailor duties.
• Explains laws, ordinances and general information to citizens.
• Conducts investigations at the scene of a crime or accident, gathers, preserves and correlates evidence, locates witnesses, issues citations, or makes arrests.
• Transports and receives property, evidence and prisoners.
• Advises and directs elderly and indigent persons.
• Maintains daily activity logs; maintains surveillance of known criminals or persons suspected of criminal activity; interviews suspects; prepares cases against suspect.
• Investigates cases of juvenile delinquency and submits reports to juvenile court; assists in the supervision of juveniles held in custody.
• Coordinates and functions with other operational units and functions as a part of such unit when assigned.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Contacts

• Contacts are typically with other City personnel; representatives from other law enforcement agencies; fire and other emergency response personnel; and members of the general public.
• Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, resolve problems, and provide services.

Qualifications

• Be at least 21 years of age at the time of hire.
• Have a U.S. high school diploma or equivalent. Equivalence of non-U.S. education must be approved by the State of Florida’s Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
• Must meet one of the following criteria
• State of Florida Basic Law Enforcement Certification-active and in good standing; or
• Completed Basic Law Enforcement Training and received PASSING results in all sections of the State Certification exam; or
• State of Florida Corrections Cross Training Certification or Compliance Certification; or
• Currently attending a Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy and have achieved certification by the time of hire.
• Must meet one of the following criteria
• Possess a Bachelor’s Degree; or
• Have completed three years of full time or active duty military service with an honorable discharge; or
• Have completed two years of verifiable, satisfactory police service; or
• Be at least 23 years old at the time of application, with three years of verifiable, satisfactory, continuous and/or progressive employment.
• Be a United States citizen prior to appointment. (Fla Stat. 943.13(2).) Applicants who are not United States citizens must have applied for citizenship by application closing date.
• Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, or have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement is not eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, notwithstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication. Notwithstanding this subsection, any person who has pled nolo contendere to a misdemeanor involving a false statement, prior to December 1, 1985, and has had such record sealed or expunged shall not be deemed ineligible for employment or appointment as an officer. Fla. Stat 943.13 (4).
• Must meet all of the requirements during the background investigation, to include drug testing.
• The applicant must meet all physical requirements listed above, and must pass a physical examination by the City’s licensed physician.
• Completed a course of basic recruit training approved by the Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission “CJSTC” unless exempt and achieved an acceptable score on the officer certification exam in accordance with Florida Statutes. Section. 943.13(9) and (10).
• Comply with Section 943.135, Florida Statutes, and CJSTC continuing training and education requirements. Florida Statute 943.13(11).
• Possess a valid, appropriate driver’s license with an acceptable driving record; must obtain a Florida Driver’s License prior to appointment.

Bonus Points

• Current City of Miami Beach employee and in good standing (2 bonus point)
• Current City of Miami Beach resident (1 bonus point)
• Current City of Miami Beach Reserve Officer (5 bonus points)
• Emergency Medical Technician and/or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician certification (1 bonus point)
• Master's Degree or higher from an accredited college or university (5 bonus points)

Physical Requirements

• Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact.
• Have no worse than 20/100 vision rating in each eye, correctable to 20/30.
• Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to, computers, calculator, copier, and fax machine.
• Some crawling, reaching, handling, sitting, standing, pushing, and pulling.
• Physical capability to pass police physical agility entrance tests.
• Physical capability to run, walk, and climb over rough and unfamiliar terrain, fences and other obstacles for extended periods of time.
• Bend, accessing attics, crawl spaces, and other recesses of buildings.
• Operate motor vehicle for long periods of time.
• Control persons resisting arrest; to move a disabled or combative individual.

For all positions

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, coworkers, the press the general public and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of race, religion, age, sex, disability, political affiliation, gender identity or sexual orientation.
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit of all state, county and city ethics and conflicts of interest policies. Strong understanding of ethical behavior is required.
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance

For all technical, professional, supervisory and managerial positions

• Ability to develop innovative and creative solutions to issues consistent with the City's strategic plan.

Applicants must detail any related work experience on the application or risk disqualification. It is the applicant's responsibility to update their NEOGOV profile with work experience, education, certifications and personal contact information when submitting each application, failure to do so will result in ineligibility. City of Miami Beach employees must reflect their current position and detail their work experience on the application to avoid being disqualified.

Veterans Preference is awarded in accordance with Florida State Statute 295.07. If veteran's preference is being claimed, it must be indicated on the application form and proper documentation, including all forms DD-214 (either Member 2 or Member 4), as well as the final Department of Defense Disability Letter (dated within one year) must be submitted with the application.

ORAL INTERVIEW

All qualifying applicants will be required to undergo an oral interview before a panel selected by the City of Miami Beach. The passing score for the oral interview will be 70%. The dates for the oral interviews and additional information will be provided to you at a future date.

WRITTEN EXERCISE

Applicants who successfully pass the oral interview will be invited to participate in a written exercise. Details regarding the written exercise and instructions will be provided on the day of the exercise. The written exercise will be a pass or fail exercise.

PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST (PAT)

Applicants will be required to submit a PAT once they have been assigned a Background Investigator. The Background Investigator will provide details regarding the PAT. Do NOT submit a PAT at time of application.

Refer to the Applicant Information Handbook for details.