Experienced Full-Time Police Officer

Longboat Key, Town of (FL); Longboat Key (FL); On-site; USD 69,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Laundry allowance

Health insurance

State education/training incentive

Take home vehicle program

Relocation bonus: $5,000 for out-of-st

Training reimbursement: $1,000

Job summary

The Town of Longboat Key seeks a full-time Police Officer to protect life and property, enforce laws, and investigate crimes. The role includes on-call readiness, traffic control, and responding to emergencies in a courteous, service-minded manner.

Eligible veterans and certain benefits apply; relocation incentives and education reimbursements are available. Successful candidates must pass medical, polygraph, and background checks as part of the process.

Qualifications

• 3 years’ experience as a sworn law enforcement officer.
• Must meet Florida CJSTC standards and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license.
• Successful completion of employment physical and drug screen; polygraph; thorough background check; psychological evaluation.
• New hires must sign an agreement to reimburse town for employment & training expenses if they do not stay at least two years.
• Vaccination for Hepatitis B (proof) or signed declination.
• Town is a Drug Free Workplace under state and federal rules.
• Preferred: Associate’s Degree in criminal justice or related field.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned area; enforce laws and ordinances; protect life and property.
• Investigate crimes; search for evidence; locate missing persons and suspects.
• Direct traffic; assist with safety at crossings; escort prisoners to stations and court; testify in court.
• Maintain discipline and safety with on-call status; respond to emergencies; support disaster recovery per plan.
• Perform other functions deemed essential by Town and supervisor.

Education

Florida CJSTC Certification

Job description

The Town of Longboat Key is an Equal Opportunity Employer, which provides hiring preference to eligible veterans and their family members, and has a strong drug free workplace and alcohol abuse policy. Additionally, where appropriate, the Town may waive post-secondary education requirements for certain servicemembers and veterans.

Police Officer: Experienced Full-Time Police Officer

Date Posted: October 1, 2026

Annual Compensation: $80,782.83 (includes shift differential and holiday pay, based on a 42-hour work week)

Additional Laundry Allowance: $780 Annual, Employee Health Insurance paid in full – Dependent premium varies by 83% to 89% employer paid, based on plan.

Up to $1,560 annually for State Education/Training Incentive

Take Home Vehicle Program

$5,000 BONUS PAYMENT FOR OUT OF STATE OFFICERS RELOCATING TO FLORIDA

$1,000 REIMBURSEMENT FOR EQUIVALENCY OF TRAINING CERTIFICATION CLASS

The Town of Longboat Key is accepting applications for a Full-Time Police Officer.

Successful completion of pre-employment physical, drug test, polygraph, thorough background check, and psychological evaluation is required.

EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES

• Supports the organization’s mission, vision and values by exhibiting the following behaviors:
  • Be Service Minded
  • Value Teamwork
  • Be Professional
  • Have the Utmost Integrity
  • Demonstrates Mutual Respect
  • Bring a Positive Attitude to Work
  • Embrace Continuous Improvement

FUNCTION

Performs general duty police work enforcing laws and ordinances. An employee in this position is responsible for the protection of life and property; for the prevention, detection, and investigation of crime; and for maintaining law and order.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Patrols an assigned area; checks doors and windows of business establishments; enforces vehicle parking and operating laws; watches for and makes investigations of wanted and missing persons and property.
• Visits the scenes of crimes and accidents; searches for and preserves evidence; investigates and searches for clues; searches for and apprehends violators.
• Serves subpoenas and warrants; escorts funerals and persons transporting money; assists children at street crossings and controls pedestrian compliance with safety laws; escorts prisoners to police stations; books and escorts prisoners to court; testifies and presents evidence in court.
• Directs traffic; enforces traffic laws and gives information concerning the location of streets, routes and buildings.
• Investigates places and persons suspected of being engaged in illegal activities; checks on operation of public places for compliance with law; develops and maintains sources of information.
• Report to work on emergency call back when assigned to On Call status, and when notified in accordance with departmental procedures. Employees finding themselves in violation of the town’s Drug Free Workplace Policy when called to report back to duty shall report that condition to their immediate Supervisor as soon as possible for purposes of obtaining another individual to be available for normal call in procedures for that instance. Employees are expected to perform all essential functions of their job, including on call duty. Employees who are unable to respond to call back duty may be subject to a performance review, including disciplinary action up to and including termination.
• Report to work as required by the Disaster Plan Recovery Guide and regular attendance during normal work schedule, other than excused or work-related absences.
• Any other functions deemed essential by the Town and communicated to the employee by his/her supervisor or department head.

OTHER TASKS

Every incidental duty connected with this position cannot be specified in the job description and an employee, at the discretion of the Town, may be required to perform duties that are not included in this job description.

JOB PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of police work, as indicated by obtaining a Certificate of Completion from the State of Florida Commission on Criminal Justice Standards & Training. Ability to perform the varied duties of a police officer after a period of training and schooling. Ability to observe situations analytically and objectively, and to report and record them clearly and completely in the English language. Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public. Ability to make a forcible arrest. Ability to meet approved physical requirements, as mandated by the State. Ability to deliver emergency medical care to injured parties consistent with established training guidelines and protocols.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 3 years’ experience as a sworn law enforcement officer.
• Must meet the minimum standards as set forth by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training, and maintain a valid and current Certificate of Completion. Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license required (MVR background check)
• Successful completion of an employment physical and drug screen to confirm the ability to perform the essential functions of the job (cannot be waived for promoted or transferred Town employees who have previously met this requirement due to FLDE auditing requirements), signed Acknowledgement for the attached “Drug Free Workplace Policy” must be provided prior to assuming Town duties.
• Successful completion of polygraph, thorough background check, and psychological evaluation. New hires (full-time positions) must sign an agreement to reimburse the town for employment & training expenses if they do not continue with the town for at least two years; a copy of the Employment Agreement is attached.
• Hepatitis B vaccination, proof of same, or signed Acknowledgement declining the vaccination (see attached Information to Employees - Hepatitis B) must be provided prior to assuming Town duties.
• The Town is a Drug Free Workplace, in compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, in § 440.102, FS and Rules 59A-24 F.A.C (Florida Administrative Code). State and federal laws and regulations may subject certain employees to additional drug testing requirements. Any employee who violates the program is subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

PREFERRED

• Associate’s Degree in criminal justice, law enforcement or related field from an accredited college.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Majority of time is spent doing patrol work in a police vehicle or police duties on scene; limited office work involved.
• Call back duty is an essential function of this position. Employees called back to duty on off hours will be paid for actual time worked, including from time of notice to their return home with a minimum guarantee of 3 hours.
• Works an eight or 12-hour rotating shift, as assigned (40 or 42-hour workweek; 80 or 84 hour pay period).

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

• Successful completion of an employment physical and drug screen to confirm the ability to perform the essential functions of the job (cannot be waived for promoted or transferred Town employees who have previously met this requirement due to FLDE auditing requirements), signed Acknowledgement for the attached “Drug Free Workplace Policy” must be provided prior to assuming Town duties.
• Successful completion of polygraph, thorough background check, and psychological evaluation. New hires (full-time positions) must sign an agreement to reimburse the town for employment & training expenses if they do not continue with the town for at least two years; a copy of the Employment Agreement is attached.
• Hepatitis B vaccination, proof of same, or signed Acknowledgement declining the vaccination (see attached Information to Employees - Hepatitis B) must be provided prior to assuming Town duties.
• The Town is a Drug Free Workplace, in compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, in § 440.102, FS and Rules 59A-24 F.A.C (Florida Administrative Code). State and federal laws and regulations may subject certain employees to additional drug testing requirements. Any employee who violates the program is subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.