Police Officer (Certified EOT Candidates or Certified Cadets)

City of Largo; United States; On-site; USD 61,329 - 74,958; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The City of Largo Police Department is hiring FDLE Certified Police Officers for general duty work involving law enforcement and public safety. Applicants are expected to have relevant qualifications, including the ability to pass certification exams and maintain effective relationships. The role offers a competitive salary of $68,144 per year, plus benefits including a pension plan, paid leave, and tuition reimbursement.

Candidates must be willing to work varied hours and respond to emergencies.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Certification.
• Experience in law enforcement or corrections may waive education requirement.
• Knowledge of traffic and criminal laws essential.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned areas and respond to calls for service.
• Enforce laws, conduct investigations, and gather information.
• Testify in court regarding policing duties.

Skills

Ability to obtain FDLE Certification

Understanding principles of police work

Effective working relationships

Objectivity in observation

Education

60 semester credit hours from accredited college

Tools

Standard police tools

Job description

Job Summary: The Largo Police Department is accepting applications for FDLE Certified Police Officers and/or Out‑of‑State Certified Officers who have completed EOT and the State exam or will complete the Police Academy and pass the State certified exam. EOT or Academy tuition reimbursements are available. This position involves general duty police work in the enforcement of laws and ordinances, protection of life and property, prevention, detection, and investigation of crime, and maintaining law and order. Employees will act without direct supervision in emergencies and unusual situations. Hiring must be completed within 90 days of application. Applicants with incorrect or incomplete information will not be considered.

Salary: $68,144 per year ($32.76 per hour). Salary incentive for lateral entry, AA or BA degrees, shift differential, and specialty unit pay may apply.

Additional Compensation & Benefits

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan with an 8% City match
• 12 paid leave days and 24 hours of full access to the City fitness center
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
• $1,000 relocation assistance for candidates outside Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, or Manatee counties
• Out‑of‑county take‑home vehicle assigned out of FTO
• All equipment is provided
• ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES below

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STATUS

As a condition of employment, employees are required to work as directed during an undeclared and/or a declared emergency. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and duties beyond those specified in the official job description.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leadership
  • Understand and reflect City mission, vision, and values; commit to achieving organizational goals.
  • Champion a high‑performance work culture that encourages new ideas and diversity.
  • Articulate strategic and innovative thinking and provide clarity to deliver superior services.
• Management
  • Effectively manage assignments and priorities to ensure fulfillment of projects, tasks, and responsibilities.
  • Follow procedures to ensure highest standards of risk management, employee safety, and risk avoidance.
• Technical
  • Respond to assignments from calls for service; patrol assigned areas on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, or police vehicles.
  • Enforce traffic and criminal laws, parking regulations, and domestic violence injunctions.
  • Conduct investigations, interview suspects, prisoners, complainants, and witnesses, and gather information.
  • Take enforcement action and file official reports.
  • Transport prisoners to police building, detention facility, or treatment facility.
  • Testify and present evidence in court regarding policing duties.
  • Assist medical personnel on site and other agencies as required.
  • Collect and maintain sources of information about criminal activities; monitor businesses for compliance with laws and ordinances.
  • Use radio contact with department personnel via two‑way radio.
  • Respond to scene of crimes, traffic accidents, and incidents; act to prevent accidents and ensure safety of self, others, and equipment.
  • May be assigned special law enforcement‑related duties.
• Team Skills
  • Support honest and transparent decision‑making.
  • Collaborate with all team members, building upon ideas and taking personal accountability.
  • Maintain a positive attitude and encourage others to do the same.
  • Perform related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Sixty (60) semester credit hours from an accredited college or university; waived for applicants with at least two years of prior sworn law enforcement or corrections experience, or two years of active military duty.
• Ability to obtain a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Certification; certified in other states must meet Florida Statute 943.13 compliance standards.
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities: Understand principles of police work, enforce laws, observe objectively, maintain effective working relationships, meet Florida Statute 943.13 standards, and satisfy background and personal history standards set by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) 11B‑27.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Environment: 15% inside a climate‑controlled building and 85% outside, including driving.
• Essential Functions: Sit ~5 hours, stand ~4 hours, walk ~3 hours per 12‑hour shift; frequent bending, stooping, grasping, reaching, lifting up to 15 lbs.
• Rarely required: climb, crawl, run, kneel, lift objects heavier than 15 lbs.
• Safety: hearing, speaking, seeing, driving, technology proficiency, use of standard police tools; shift assignments include days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and may require overtime.

SECURITY CLEARANCE

Position subject to additional security clearances due to access to police facilities and electronic data as mandated by FDLE, CJSTC, and Largo Police Department.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Drug testing: Required (Safety Sensitive)
• Childcare: Not required
• Fingerprinting: Required
• Credit check: Required

EEO STATEMENT

The City of Largo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.