Police Recruit

City of Pensacola; Pensacola (FL); On-site; USD 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Pensacola is seeking an entry‑level Police Recruit to join the Police Department in Pensacola. The role involves patrols, non‑criminal investigations, and supporting officers in enforcing laws.

Applicants must meet Florida prep requirements: high school diploma or GED, minimum age, and U.S. citizenship. Enrollment in a Law Enforcement Academy is required or already held certification; the position functions as an apprenticeship with probation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Ability to meet age, mental, moral, physical, medical and legal requirements.
• Minimum age 20 years 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Patrols a designated area of the city to aid in the preservation of law and order.
• Answers calls and complaints involving road obstructions, fire (traffic control), and other non-criminal incidents.
• Conducts non-criminal investigations, interviews witnesses, and may testify in court.
• Provides escort service for parades, oversize loads; provides information and direction to the public.
• Attends regular training classes in law enforcement methods and related subjects.

Skills

First aid methods

Report writing

Public interaction

Decision making

Computer skills

Grammar skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Salary Range: $47,257.60-$55,218.80 annually, depending on knowledge and experience.

Individuals who are currently certified as Florida law enforcement officers are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Preparation for Work

• Graduation From high school or a GED that meets Florida Standards.
• Ability to meet approved age, mental, moral, physical, medical, and legal requirement for this position.
• Minimum Age 20 years 6 months.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Possession of an appropriate driver license for equipment operated and any license, training or certification required by law or regulation to complete assigned tasks.
• Applicants must be tobacco free at time of employment and must remain tobacco-free for the duration of employment or be terminated.
• Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen
• Applicant must enroll in a Law Enforcement Academy as determined by the Chief of Police or his designee or already hold a law enforcement certification from a state other than Florida.

Nature of Work

This is the entry-level position for those who are interested in a career in law enforcement.

An employee in this class will be assigned to the Police Department.

An employee in this class is responsible for a variety of tasks related to law enforcement. Work is performed in accordance with the departmental rules and regulations and recruits may be required to work shifts. Work assignments are received from a superior officer who evaluates performance through the review of work methods, procedures, and results.

An employee appointed as a Police Recruit shall remain on probation for the entire time the employee is in that classification. A recruit may be separated from employment at any time without appeal rights. This classification is established as an apprenticeship program.

The mental and physical demands and the work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Example of Work

• Patrols a designated area of the city to aid in the preservation of law and order, to prevent and discover the commission of crimes through observation and reporting, to direct traffic at street intersections, and to enforce parking regulations.
• Answers calls and complaints involving road obstructions, fire (traffic control), and other non-criminal incidents.
• Conducts non-criminal investigations, interviews witnesses, and may testify in court.
• Provides escort service for parades, oversize loads; provides information and direction to the public.
• Provides clerical assistance, as needed, within the Police Department.
• Writes traffic citations for parking violations.
• Relieves sworn officers of non-police duties within the department.
• Attends regular training classes in law enforcement methods and related subjects
• Aids crime scene investigators with the processing of evidence and completing errands for crime scene services.
• Aids property management with the inventory and handling of police supplies.
• Assist with report writing for non-criminal offenses.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to develop knowledge of law enforcement methods, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to understand and comply with departmental policies, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to develop knowledge of the geography of the city and the location of important buildings.
• Ability to learn first aid methods.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and to prepare clear and comprehensive reports.
• Ability to deal courteously, but firmly, with the public.
• Ability to analyze situations and to adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public.
• Physical strength and agility; good general intelligence.
• Established computer skills with the ability to expand those skills at a fast pace.
• Solid grasp of grammar

Mental and Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to hold or feel, reach with hands and arms, walk, talk, smell and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, sit, climb, balance, stoop, crouch, and crawl. Specific vision abilities include near distance, far distance, color, peripheral vision, and depth perception. The employee regularly lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds and occasionally lifts and/or moves over 50 pounds.

Work Environment

An employee in this job is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions, occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme heat and have a risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment may be loud.

This description is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. It is intended to accurately reflect the activities and requirements of the position, but duties may be added, deleted, or modified, as necessary. This description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.