Police Officer Trainee

The Police Trainee is a temporary position designed for candidates who meet the City of Longwood Police Department's established hiring requirements but have not yet completed the training and certification requirements necessary to become a sworn Police Officer. The temporary position provides candidates the opportunity to complete the State of Florida Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Training Program, State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE), and other requirements necessary to become a sworn City of Longwood Police Officer.

Police Trainees participate in required academy and departmental training and perform administrative, observational, and other assigned non-sworn duties under the supervision of a Police Lieutenant or other designated Police Department personnel.

Candidates must be enrolled in or accepted into a Florida Law Enforcement Recruit Academy approved by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC).

Upon successful completion of the required academy, examination, certification, and all other City and Police Department requirements, the employee must meet all qualifications and standards established for the City of Longwood Police Officer classification prior to being sworn in as a Police Officer.

Essential Functions: These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

Attends and successfully completes the approved Law Enforcement Recruit Academy, including all required academic, physical, practical, and skills-based training.

Successfully completes required coursework, examinations, practical exercises, assessments, and other components of the Law Enforcement Recruit Academy.

Successfully completes the State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE) and other requirements necessary to obtain certification as a Florida law enforcement officer.

Participates in Police Department orientation, training, observational activities, and other developmental assignments in preparation for becoming a sworn Police Officer.

Performs administrative and clerical duties while not attending the Law Enforcement Recruit Academy, including answering phones, scanning, copying, maintaining records, and providing general departmental support.

Complies with established safety practices and procedures in accordance with the City's Safety and Health Program and applicable Police Department and academy requirements.

Performs other related duties and training assignments as assigned.

Follows and enforces safe working practices and has a working knowledge of safety practices and procedures in accordance with the City’s Safety and Health Program.

High school diploma or GED equivalent. An Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field and/or previous law enforcement experience is preferred.

Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of temporary employment as a Police Trainee and at least nineteen (19) years of age prior to being sworn in as a Police Officer.

Must be a citizen of the United States.

Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license.

Must successfully complete all required background investigations, medical examinations, drug screening, and other pre-employment requirements established by applicable law, the City, and the Police Department.

Must meet and maintain Police Department physical fitness and training requirements applicable to the position.

Must meet the City and Police Department’s established standards regarding financial history, criminal history, driving history, drug use, and tobacco use.

Complete the and obtain the Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT) required passing score, unless exempt per Florida Statue.

Must meet all applicable eligibility requirements for admission to the Law Enforcement Recruit Academy and for certification as a Florida law enforcement officer.

Must meet and maintain all applicable qualifications, training, examination, certification, and employment standards applicable to the Police Trainee classification and eligibility for appointment as a law enforcement officer, as established by Florida Statutes, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC), and other applicable regulatory or governing authorities.

Must successfully complete the Law Enforcement Recruit Academy, pass the State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE), and satisfy all other requirements necessary for employment as a City of Longwood Police Officer within six (6) months of beginning the academy.

Special Requirements

Dismissal or removal from the Law Enforcement Recruit Academy for any reason will result in termination of employment as a Police Trainee.

Must maintain satisfactory academic, attendance, conduct, physical fitness, and performance standards established by the City, Police Department, Law Enforcement Recruit Academy, and applicable regulatory authorities throughout the training and certification process.

Upon successful completion of the required academy, examination, and certification process, the employee must meet all qualifications, requirements, and standards established for the City of Longwood Police Officer classification prior to being sworn in as a Police Officer.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships with coworkers, instructors, public officials, other agencies, and members of the public.

Ability to participate in and successfully complete required physical, practical, firearms, defensive tactics, driving, and other law enforcement training activities.

Ability to wear the required Police Department or academy uniform and equipment while performing assigned duties and participating in training.

Must be available to work assigned schedules, including nights, weekends, holidays, training schedules, and emergency assignments as required.

Technical Requirements

Working knowledge of standard office equipment and technology, including digital tools and programs required to perform job duties.

Working Conditions

The position requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing, pushing, pulling, grasping, and repetitive motions. Training activities may require running, climbing or negotiating obstacles, crawling, maintaining balance, performing defensive tactics and simulated pursuit or restraint activities, and entering and exiting vehicles quickly.

The position requires sufficient physical ability to successfully participate in and complete required law enforcement academy and Police Department training, including lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or dragging persons or objects of varying weights, independently or with assistance as circumstances require. Duties and training activities also require sufficient vision, hearing, speech, and manual dexterity to safely perform assigned activities.

Training and assigned duties may be performed indoors and outdoors in varying and potentially hazardous conditions. The position may involve exposure to extreme temperatures, inclement weather, traffic hazards, smoke, fire, hazardous materials, blood and other bodily fluids, communicable diseases, and other potentially unsafe or unsanitary conditions.

Police Trainees may participate in training exercises, observational activities, and assigned duties involving potentially hazardous or stressful conditions. Training may include simulated physical confrontations, emergency response scenarios, firearms, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, and other practical law enforcement exercises. Work and training may also be performed during emergencies, disasters, and other adverse conditions and may require extended periods outdoors or in a vehicle.

This position is a temporary classification that is not benefit eligible per the CPP. 

*This posting is open until filled