Police Recruit Scholarship Program

Tampa Police Department; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 56,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition paid

Uniforms provided

Training program at Hillsborough CC

State incentive up to $1,560/yr

Job summary

Tampa Police Department invites applications for the Police Recruit Scholarship program. Selected candidates will attend the Basic Recruit class at Hillsborough Community College to train for Florida certification as law enforcement officers.

The City pays tuition, uniforms, equipment, and books, with pay and benefits during training. Recruits who complete the program and pass the state exam will be reclassified as Police Officers, with full labor contract benefits on sworn-in.

Qualifications

• Citizen must be a United States citizen.
• Character and physical condition must be suitable for law enforcement work.
• Candidate must pass the City's background investigation.

Responsibilities

• Attend Basic Recruit class at Hillsborough Community College.
• Receive training for Florida certification as a law enforcement officer.
• Be hired as a City of Tampa employee during training and receive pay/benefits.

Skills

Citizenship: US citizen

Physical fitness

Background check clearance

Education

Associate degree / 60-90 credit hours

High school diploma + military service

High school diploma + City of Tampa employment

High school diploma + Explorer experience

Job description

Police Recruit Scholarship Program

Recruitment #260923-802000-006 Department Tampa Police Department

Open Date 10/1/2026 09:21:00 AM Filing Deadline 10/31/2026 11:59:00 PM

Salary $30.00 - $30.00/hour; $5,200.00 - $5,200.00/month; $62,400.00 - $62,400.00/year

Employment Type Full-Time

Nature Of Work

Tuition, uniforms, equipment, and books will be paid by the City of Tampa. Police Recruit Scholarship recipients will attend the Basic Recruit class at Hillsborough Community College to receive training for State of Florida certification as a law enforcement officer. Training class will be held Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and lasts approximately 6 months. Successful candidates who receive the scholarship award must sign a contract with the City in order to participate. Those selected will be hired as a City of Tampa employee in a Police Recruit position and will receive pay and benefits during the training period. Police Recruits who successfully complete all training required by the State of Florida to obtain certification as a law enforcement officer and pass the State examination will be reclassified as Police Officer. At the time the Police Recruit Scholarship Recipient is sworn-in as a Police Officer, all benefits of the current labor contract will be afforded. State of Florida Incentive Plan--maximum available $1,560 per year.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum Age 21 years.
• Individuals will be considered who have not reached 21 years of age but will by the time of swearing in as a law enforcement officer.
• Citizenship: Applicant must be a United States Citizen.
• Character and overall physical condition must be suitable for law enforcement work and candidates must pass the City's background investigation.

Education / Work Experience

• Possession of an associate's degree or completion of 2 years of college coursework from an accredited college or university (60-semester or 90-quarter hours).
• OR High-school diploma and three (3) years of full-time, active military experience; or 6 years of military reserve.
• OR High School Diploma and 3 years of continuous full-time employment as a City of Tampa employee.
• OR High School Diploma and 5 years of experience as an Explorer with the Tampa Police Department.
• OR An equivalent combination of college education, City of Tampa employment experience, TPD Explorer experience, or TPD Reserve Force experience.

Required Documents

• High School Diploma or College Diploma/Transcript
• Birth Certificate (legible copy)
• DD 214 Military Discharge-member 4 copy (if applicable)
• Driver's license
• Licenses or Certifications Possession of a valid Florida Driver's License required.
• Examination Completion of Self-Evaluation Supplemental Physical Abilities Test (pass/fail) Background Investigation (to include polygraph)
• Applicants Selected for Scholarship Must Pass: Psychological Examinationn. Medical Examination administered by City designated physician. Pre-employment drug screening (Officers are subject to random drug testing after employment with the City of Tampa).

Additional Details

Comments During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.