Law Enforcement Officer (Certified)

JOB SUMMARY

Position: Police Officer (Certified | Experienced | EOT-Eligible)
Agency: Cocoa Police Department, Florida

The Cocoa Police Department is a CFA-accredited , community-focused law enforcement agency serving more than 20,000 residents in Brevard County, Florida. The department is comprised of approximately 71 sworn officers and utilizes modern law-enforcement technology, active specialty units, and strong neighborhood partnerships to deliver professional policing services.

Under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant , Police Officers are responsible for protecting life and property, enforcing federal, state, and municipal laws, preventing crime, responding to emergencies, and maintaining positive community relationships. This position requires sound judgment, professionalism, integrity, and the ability to perform effectively in routine, high-risk, and high-stress environments.

This posting is intended for currently certified Florida officers , experienced lateral officers , and qualified out-of-state or federal officers eligible for FDLE Equivalency of Training (EOT) .

COMPENSATION & INCENTIVES

• Starting pay: $26.52 per hour
• Annual salary range: $55,161.60 - $86,278.40
• Projected top-out: $92,331.20 within two fiscal years

Incentives include:

• $5,000 State of Florida recruitment bonus for newly certified officers or officers relocating to Florida (if eligible)
• Sign-on bonus up to $10,000
  
  • $2,000 per verified year of full-time sworn law enforcement experience (up to five years)
• Experience pay: 3% per verified year of service (maximum 15%)
• Education incentives:
  
  • Associate degree: $360 annually
  • Bachelor's degree: $600 annually
  • State incentive: Up to $1,440 annually
• Pension buy-back for qualifying prior sworn service

The department provides all required duty equipment and offers take-home vehicles , including out-of-county authorization within established mileage limits, subject to department policy. The agency is beard-friendly, tattoo-friendly, and outer-vest friendly , in accordance with departmental standards.

EQUIVALENCY OF TRAINING (EOT) - IMPORTANT NOTICE

Applicants with qualifying out-of-state or federal full-time sworn law enforcement experience within the past eight years may be eligible for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Equivalency of Training (EOT) pathway.

EOT applicants must obtain CJSTC Form 76 prior to attending an FDLE-approved EOT Course.

To initiate the EOT process and obtain Form 76, applicants must contact GovSource and visit:

GovSource provides assistance with eligibility review, academy placement, course scheduling, state exam preparation, and completion of the FDLE Equivalency of Training process.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Florida Certified Law Enforcement Officer or eligible for FDLE Equivalency of Training (CJSTC Form 76)
• High school diploma or GED
• Minimum age of 20 years
• United States citizen
• Valid driver's license and ability to obtain a Florida driver's license within 45 days
• Good verifiable work history
• Ability to communicate fluently in written and spoken English
• No felony convictions
• No misdemeanors involving moral turpitude, false statements, perjury, or domestic violence
• No dishonorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces
• No illegal drug use within the past year (other drug use evaluated case-by-case)
• Vision of 20/40 corrected or better
• Good physical condition

Essential Functions

Essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Patrol operations by vehicle, foot, bicycle, boat, or other means
• Criminal investigations and crime response
• Traffic enforcement and crash investigation
• Report writing, documentation, and court testimony
• Community engagement and problem-oriented policing
• Emergency response and scene control
• Maintenance of professional appearance, conduct, and physical standards

Officers must demonstrate strong knowledge of criminal law, departmental rules, and police procedures; proficiency with computers and in-car technology; sound decision-making under pressure; and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Essential employees may be required to work during declared or undeclared emergencies.

PROCESSING & SELECTION

Applicants must successfully complete:

• Online application
• Comprehensive background investigation
• Polygraph or CVSA
• Medical examination and drug screening (post-conditional offer)
• Psychological evaluation (post-conditional offer)

Applicants must complete and attach CJSTC Form 58 prior to submitting an application.

TRAINING

Certified officers will complete department orientation, field training, and required in-service training. Officers qualifying under the EOT pathway must complete the FDLE-approved Equivalency of Training Course and successfully pass the Florida State Officer Certification Examination .

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The position requires medium to heavy physical work, including lifting or pushing up to 100 pounds , running, climbing, kneeling, crawling, restraining subjects, and operating in high-stress and hazardous environments.

Work is performed indoors and outdoors in variable weather conditions. Officers must be able to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, extended hours, and respond to emergency call-outs as required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Cocoa Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act .