Law Enforcement Officer

Job Description

Organizational Summary :

The University of South Florida St. Petersburg Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency dedicated to providing a safe environment for and in partnership with the community, while remaining committed to assisting with personal and professional development of department members, and to the principle of being community minded and service driven.

The department is led by a command staff comprised of sworn and non-sworn members of the rank of captain and higher, a communications/ records manager, all of whom report to the chief of police through an established chain-of-command.

We are professional state law enforcement officers, drawing authority from State Statute 1012.97. We are here to serve the campus community as well as to protect it. All officers are certified by the state of Florida after completing training from the State Regional Police Training Academy.

Position Summary:

Law Enforcement officers provide preventive patrol of the campus and nearby areas enforcing laws, ordinances, and University rules; regularly investigate accidents/disturbances, make arrests, prepare necessary documentation, and testify in court; and interact with diverse groups of people within the community to render service and collect information. As a requirement for employment at the Police Department (PD) on the USF St. Petersburg campus, officers must meet the highest standards of their profession.

Officers must meet or exceed stringent educational, training, background, and physical requirements, as well as pass a process of personal interviews, oral boards, and psychological testing. Many of our officers have also brought to USF St. Petersburg a variety of experience and specialized training from other law enforcement agencies.


Special Requirements:

Must currently possess a valid law enforcement certificate from the State of Florida.

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at .

Responsibilities

Patrols assigned area(s) to insure the personal safety of the university populace and to provide protection and security to facilities. Directs traffic. Investigates accidents, complaints, disturbances, and law violations by interviewing complainants, suspects, and witnesses; secures incident area; and collects and preserves evidence. Pursues, apprehends, and arrests law violators and suspected law violators. Issues traffic warnings and citations. Controls crowds during special events, catastrophes, riots, and demonstrations and demonstrations.

Conducts investigations into complaints and violations of Federal, State and Local Laws, and University policies. Interviews witnesses and victims, interrogates suspects, apprehends, arrests and processes criminal violators, searches for, locates, and preserves evidence; appears as affiant in legal and/or administrative processes. Identifies and analyzes problems and develops responses and solutions to resolve such problems. Expresses ideas and communicates information to citizens and colleagues. Takes formal statements and confessions. Demonstrates proper officer safety techniques. Successfully works with others. Uses equipment appropriately. Operates weapons and equipment properly. Responsible for actively participating in all phases of Community Oriented Policing, including individual or team projects. Follows departmental policy, mission, values, and goals.

Monitors problem traffic areas and initiates corrective action. Maximizes crime deterrence through conspicuous aggressive and focused patrol of grounds and facilities. Patrol will be conducted on foot, in a mobile capacity, or through the use of special purpose vehicles as assigned. Composes reports, using appropriate forms, when documenting crimes, incidents, and activity. Operates weapons properly and qualifies at the range. Properly uses less than lethal weapons. Utilizes the radio and (MCT) Mobile Computer Terminal in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
Reduce theft or damage of state and university property by providing continuing security and safety analysis of facilities and making written recommendations for improvement. Report observations with regard to environmental health, safety, security, and fire code hazards and/or violations.

Achieves agency and university goals. Maintain police community relations by focusing on information and education, which culminates in community action and crime reduction. Organized in daily work activity. Accepts additional responsibility and meets set deadlines. Properly uses policy and procedure manuals. Attends training and duty activities.

Uses available agencies, departments, and support groups to assist citizens. Interacts in a service-oriented manner with courtesy and integrity. Respectful of others. Develops contact with others that instills confidence in the police department. Provides non-law enforcement public service as authorized by law and consistent with good police practices.

Testifies in a concise and accurate manner. Files cases in the proper manner. Conveys verbal information / instructions / directives / commands. Demonstrates appropriate officer safety techniques. Aware of, alert, and remains calm in stressful situations. Takes appropriate action to protect officer, co-workers, and others from harm. Successfully defends oneself using the defined use of force policies and protocols.

Qualifications

Minimum :

• Must possess a current Florida Law Enforcement Certification through The Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
• This position must meet the requirements of Chapter 943.13, Florida Statutes. Must be at least 19 years of age, must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, must have graduated from an accredited law enforcement academy, or currently accepted to a commissioned Florida Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Training Program (attendance must be within 4 months of applying). Graduates from law enforcement academies outside the state of Florida will be required to attend a program for Equivalency of Training (EOT: transitional academy).

Preferred :

• Have one year of prior law enforcement, military, or security experience.
• Appropriate college coursework may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.
• Prior Law Enforcement experience at an Institution of Higher Education.

Special Skills/Training :

Must currently possess a valid law enforcement certificate from the State of Florida. Knowledge and ability to understand and accurately apply laws, rules, regulations and policies.

Employees in this classification are required to maintain all mandatory job-related certifications to include but not limited to firearms qualification, first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and Florida State driver's license.

Additional Information for Applicants :

Applicants must be 19 years of age and a U.S. citizen; must possess a high school diploma or equivalent; must have no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude (as required for Florida State Law Enforcement Certification).


Applicants must not have used illegal drugs in the last 3 years and pass a physical ability test. Applicants also must pass a post-offer physical and psychological examination. Applicants are subject to a rigorous background investigation which includes driving record, credit history check, FBI fingerprint check, and a truth verification examination.

The selected candidate must have a current work authorization in the United States. This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.


Former University of South Florida Police Department Employees: Break in Service and Reappointment:

• Former University of South Florida Police Department employees who reapply following a break in service are subject to all applicable disqualifiers.
• Additionally, any former University of South Florida Police Department employee reappointed after a break in service, regardless of duration, will be placed at the current entry-level salary and step plan.

***This job posting will potentially be utilized to fill more than one (1) law enforcement officer position.

About Us

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:


The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.