Police Officer

Gainesville Police Department; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gainesville Police Department in Gainesville, FL is seeking qualified individuals for Police Officer roles. This position involves enforcing Federal, State, and Local laws, protecting life and property, and serving the community through patrols, investigations, and public safety duties.

Applicants must have a High School Diploma or GED and at least one year of work experience; post-secondary education may substitute. Testing dates are announced with rolling deadlines.

Qualifications

• Must have a High School Diploma or GED.
• At least one year of work experience (cumulative).
• Post-secondary education will be considered in lieu of work experience.
• Previous community service/volunteer service will be considered in lieu of experience.

Responsibilities

• Patrols a designated area by vehicle or foot and stays familiar with residents.
• Disperses unruly crowds at public gatherings and maintains order.
• Reports hazards or abandoned vehicles to the appropriate City department.
• Uses a computer to type reports and other documents.
• Directs or reroutes traffic around accidents, fires, and emergencies.
• Maintains assigned equipment and workstation and ensures readiness.
• Interacts effectively with the public and enforces laws and procedures.
• Conducts criminal and crash investigations and helps protect life and property.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

If you are an Internal City Employee, Retiree or Dependent/Survivor of a City Employee please apply internally via Career Icon in your Workday account.

Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builder—an employee with the City of Gainesville— you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it’s a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.

Department:

GG_Police: Police District 2

Salary Range Minimum:

$29.13

Salary Range Maximum:

$41.27

Closing Date:

Until Filled

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.

Next Testing Date

.................................................... November 17th, 2026

Deadline to Apply for Testing

...........................Rolling Deadline

Location

Gainesville Police Department, Gainesville, FL

Testing dates will be held for Certified Officers & Non-Certified Officers

Testing does involve a physical fitness portion.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view Background Forms.

Job Description:

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 in 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.

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.
• Reports hazards or abandoned vehicles to the appropriate City department.
• Use 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.
• Apply to federal, state, and local laws, Department Manual, Policy and Procedures, Patrol Directives, and Legal Bulletins.
• Effectively participates in court-related processes.
• Conducts criminal and crash investigations.
• Secures crashes and crime scenes, and the collection and submission of evidence.
• Conducts interviews, interrogations, 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, and 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 the following criteria:

Applicants must have a High School Diploma or GED. Applicants must include, but are not limited to:

At least one year of work experience (cumulative).

Post-secondary education will be considered in lieu of work experience.

Previous community service/volunteer service will be considered in lieu of