Police Officer

Job Specifications

Tallahassee Police Department

Be the difference

Become a member of the Tallahassee Police Department

Trust. Loyalty. Commitment.

About the City of Tallahassee

Tallahassee, a diverse community of nearly 200,000 residents, is the state capital and home to Florida A&M University, Florida State University, and Tallahassee State College. It is known for its national forest, freshwater lakes, and abundant parks and recreational activities. Located in the north-central portion of the state of Florida.

The City, as an organization, has a devoted workforce of approximately 4,000 people who come together to ensure the needs of the community are met through municipal services. These services include Police, Fire, Utilities (electric, gas, water, wastewater, stormwater), Parks and Recreation, Aviation-Tallahassee International Airport, and general municipal services. The Citys mission is to be the national leader in the delivery of public service.

The City of Tallahassees workforce is our communitys lifeblood, we offer diverse career opportunities, a positive work-life balance, competitive compensation, exceptional wellness programs, and comprehensive benefits, all of which position us to be the premier employer of choice for this area.

Compensation and schedule

Salary

• $71,000 to $110,000 annually
• Annual increases per the PBA contract

Schedule

• Patrol officers typically work four ten-hour days
• Three days off every week

Credit for service

• Lateral Hire Program with up to year-for-year credit for prior law enforcement service for qualifying applicants
• G.I. Benefits and the Public Safety Officer On-the-Job Training Program
• Veterans preference under Section 295.085, Florida Statutes

Benefits

Pay and incentives

• State educational incentive up to $130 per month, $1,560 per year
• Physical fitness incentive up to $45 per month, $540 per year
• Lateral Pay Plan for prior experience
• MGIB for military veterans and members of the military reserves or National Guard during the academy and throughout the probationary year
• Tuition assistance for college courses, $150 reimbursement per class

Insurance

• Group dental, medical, and life insurance plans
• Medical insurance supplement of $5 per year of service, up to $150 per month

Retirement

• City Retirement vested after five years, with full benefits following 25 years of service or at age 55 with at least five years of service
• Accrual of 3 percent for years 1 through 20 and 4 percent for years 20 through 25, to a maximum of 81 percent
• Five-year D.R.O.P. (Deferred Retirement Option Plan) after reaching normal retirement
• Contribution to 401(k) and 457 pension enhancement, subject to IRS limits
• At retirement, payment for all personal leave and compensatory time at base rate of pay, and one-third of accrued sick leave up to a maximum of 700 hours

Vehicle and gear

• Take-home vehicle program within a 50-mile radius
• Weapons, equipment, uniforms, soft body armor, and shoes are provided
• Free uniform cleaning

See the full benefits detail on the Becoming a Police Officer page

Qualifications, minimum training and experience

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to qualify for employment as a Tallahassee Police Officer.

The basics

• U.S. citizen
• At least 20 years old at time of hire
• Live within 50 miles of N. Monroe Street and E. Tennessee Street
• Valid driver license with satisfactory driving history
• Vision correctable to 20/20, with acceptable color distinction and depth perception

Education or experience

• 45 quarter hours or 30 semester hours of college
• Or one year full time in any one of these:
• Sworn law enforcement
• Active military, or active reserve with a year of deployment
• Correctional officer
• Firefighter, EMT, or paramedic
• Public safety dispatcher
• TPD Community Service Technician

Background history

• No felony, perjury, false statement, or domestic violence convictions
• No DUI convictions in the past seven years. Other arrest histories reviewed case by case
• No pending criminal charges
• No marijuana use within one year, and no other drug use, including anabolic steroids, within five years
• No sale, distribution, manufacture, or transportation of illegal drugs as defined by F.S. 893.03
• No misuse of prescription or other legally obtainable substances within three years

Screening

• Thorough background investigation
• Written essay
• Oral board
• Truth verification exam
• Drug, medical, and psychological screenings
• A minimum of two patrol ride-alongs

Read the TPD Employment Frequently Asked Questions

How to apply to be a Police Officer

Thank you for considering joining the Tallahassee Police Department. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

1

Apply online

• Use the Apply button on this posting
• Complete every section, including education and work history, even if you attach a resume

2

Attach your history statement

• Download the TPD Personal History Statement
• Complete it, save it, and attach it to your application

3

Notarize and deliver

• Affidavit of Understanding / Residency Requirement
• Authority for Release of Information / Background Investigation Waiver
• Credit Report Authorization and Release, signed and witnessed, notarization not required
• Military Declaration Form

Have a Notary Public witness your signature, then mail or deliver the forms to the Employee Resources Office, Tallahassee Police Department, 234 East Seventh Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32303. Notary service is available in that office.

Questions? Call a recruiter at 850-891-4324

Visit Talgov.com/Employment, click on the Apply Today button, then navigate to the My Job Applications icon, and create an account. Only online applications will be accepted for this vacancy. Remember, you must complete all sections of the application, including the education and work history section, even if this information is included on your resume.

If you have any questions regarding this position or the application process, please contact the Citys Human Resources and Workforce Development Department at 850-891-8214.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Tallahassee is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to promoting equity and celebrating diversity. The City of Tallahassee invites applications without regard to an individuals race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Veterans Preference

Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses of the service members and veterans, will receive preference and priority, and certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. For information on who may be eligible for Veterans Preference, go to floridavets.org/benefits-services/veterans-preference, or call Human Resources & Workforce Development at (850) 891-8214. To claim Veterans Preference, applicants must upload a DD-214 (and other documentation, as applicable) with their online application prior to the closing date of the job opening.

Accommodation for Persons with a Disability

If you require an accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Citys ADA Coordinator, in the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, at 850-891-8950 or at TLHADA@talgov.com Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., or TDD 711, at least 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays), prior to the application deadline.