Police Officer

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.

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.

 

Job Description:

The Gainesville Police Department is now hiring Police Officers.  Selected candidates will protect life and property through the enforcement of Federal, State and Local laws. A typical day will include being involved in the prevention, detection and investigation of crimes and maintaining law and order.

Next Testing Date ……………………… October 14 – 16, 2024

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.

 

**Please apply online then go to Background Forms thoroughly complete the:

Background Data Packet
Background Waiver
Physician Recommendation forms

If selected, applicants will be informed on where to mail their background forms along with a postmark date.
**Note – Background Forms mailed after the pending postmarked date will not be accepted.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view Background Forms.

Police Officer:
Must meet one of the following criteria:

Applicant must have a High School Diploma or GED.

Applicant must include, but is not limited to:

– At least one year of work experience (cumulative);

(previous community service/volunteer service will be considered in lieu of work experience).

NOTE:

• Applicants must be citizens of the United States, 19 years old at the time of testing, and able to meet health, physical, psychological and background standards as set forth by the City of Gainesville and the State of Florida.
• Applicant’s current lifestyle and recent history must be cannabis free for the past twelve (12) months and free of other illicit or illegal drug use for the past thirty-six (36) months.
• Applicants must have no conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral character, perjury, or making false statements; nor after July 1, 1981, have pled guilty or nolo contendre to, or have been found guilty of any such crimes.
• Applicants have no DUI convictions in the last 7 years preferred.
• Successful completion of all phases of the training curriculum within one year of appointment is required for continued employment as a police officer by the Gainesville Police Department.
• Work may require performance of tasks outdoors under varying climatic conditions and performing tasks in and around heavy traffic. Work requires physical strength and agility.  Refer to departmental job requirements for additional information.
• Applicants must successfully complete a polygraph examination administered by a certified Polygraph Examiner (the primary focus of this component is to assist in determining the accuracy of information provided by the applicant during the selection process).

**May fill multiple positions

**May establish an eligibility list

 

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.

Uses 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.

Applies 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 crash and crime scenes, and the collection and submission of evidence.

Conducts interview, interrogation 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, facilitating the dispatch of officers to scenes of complaints, disturbances, crimes, and other emergencies.

Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Must meet one of the following criteria:

• Applicant must have a High School Diploma or GED.
• Applicant must include, but is not limited to:
• At least one year of work experience (cumulative)
  • Previous community service/volunteer service will be considered in lieu of work experience.

 

CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES

Licenses

• Valid State of Florida Driver License required at time of appointment.  Applicants must have a good driving record at time of appointment.
• Gainesville Police Cadets who successfully complete the training program may be eligible for employment as a Police Officer if they are a citizen of the United States, are nineteen (19) years of age at the time of testing, and able to meet health, physical, psychological and background standards as set forth by the City of Gainesville and the State of Florida.
• With the exception of Gainesville Police Cadets who have successfully completed the training program, all other applicants must be a citizen of the United States, nineteen (19) years of age at the time of testing, and able to meet health, physical, psychological and background standards as set forth by the City of Gainesville and the State of Florida.
• Applicants must have no conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral character, perjury, or making false statements; nor after July 1, 1981, have pled guilty or nolo contendre to, or have been found guilty of any such crimes.
• Applicant’s current lifestyle and recent history must be cannabis free for the past twelve (12) months and free of other illicit or illegal drug use for the past thirty-six (36) months.
• Refer to departmental job requirements for additional information.

Certifications

Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission’s Basic Law Enforcement Certification required at the time of appointment.