Police Captain

Salary: $119,379.00 - $188,989.00 Annually
Location : 1441 FAU Research Park Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441, USA, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 01297
Department: Office of Public Safety
Division: Law Enforcement
Opening Date: 09/16/2026
Closing Date: 9/23/2026 5:00 PM Eastern


Summary Objective
The salary range listed for this position reflects the full range of the applicable salary schedule.


The starting salary for the selected candidate will be determined based on verification of the candidate's relevant experience, education, certifications, qualifications, and other applicable factors.

Please review the job description and the documentation requirements indicated below.**


APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT PROPER REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION WILL BE DEEMED INCOMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Candidates receive further communication via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

This recruitment may be used to identify candidates for initial or future command assignments, including responsibilities associated with building and implementing the new Department. Applicants must identify each area of command interest in the application and upload documentation demonstrating the relevant command experience, education, training, assignment history, leadership accomplishments, and program or organizational-development experience.
Supporting documentation may include a detailed resume and assignment history, training and leadership certificates, letters or memoranda verifying assignments and responsibilities, and other verifiable records. Applicants must not submit confidential investigative files, criminal justice information, victim or witness information, personnel records belonging to another agency, or other sensitive agency records.

This is a senior sworn command classification responsible for directing a major division, bureau, or Department-wide function and for assisting executive leadership with strategy, policy, accountability, resource management, and organizational performance. A Police Captain leads through subordinate commanders and supervisors, oversees complex operational and administrative responsibilities, represents the Department with City and community partners, and may assume higher command responsibilities when designated. Regardless of rank or assignment, the incumbent remains responsible for performing full police officer duties whenever called upon or operationally required.

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The essential functions listed below represent the primary duties of this classification. The City and Department may assign additional job-related functions as operational needs require.

• Perform the full duties and responsibilities of a sworn police officer whenever assigned or operationally required, regardless of rank, division, unit, or normal duty assignment.
• Patrol assigned areas; respond to calls for service; protect life and property; preserve the peace; enforce federal, state, and local laws and ordinances; and take lawful enforcement action when appropriate.
• Investigate criminal activity, suspicious circumstances, traffic crashes, and other incidents; interview victims, witnesses, and suspects; identify, collect, protect, and document evidence; and prepare complete and accurate reports.
• Detain, search, arrest, transport, and restrain persons when legally authorized, and use only the level of force objectively reasonable and consistent with law, policy, and training.
• Operate police vehicles in routine and emergency conditions, including emergency response and pursuit when authorized; direct and enforce traffic; and assist motorists and members of the public.
• Pursue fleeing suspects, conduct searches of persons, vehicles, buildings, and areas when legally authorized, and participate in rescue, evacuation, and emergency operations.
• Exercise sound independent judgment when determining reasonable suspicion, probable cause, enforcement options, officer-safety measures, and appropriate courses of action.
• Provide constitutional, unbiased, and professional police services; safeguard the rights and dignity of all persons; and use de-escalation and sound communication practices whenever feasible.
• Engage residents, businesses, visitors, and community partners; identify recurring public-safety or quality-of-life concerns; and participate in collaborative problem-solving and crime-prevention efforts.
• Testify in court, depositions, administrative proceedings, and other official forums; present facts clearly and accurately; and maintain the integrity of reports, evidence, and official records.
• Maintain proficiency with firearms, less-lethal systems, emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, communications equipment, information systems, and other assigned equipment.
• Respond during critical incidents, disasters, civil disturbances, severe weather, special events, and other emergencies, and perform duties within the Incident Command System or other established command structure as assigned.
• Comply with Department policies, City rules, lawful orders, training requirements, records requirements, safety practices, and applicable accreditation standards.
• Uphold rigorous standards of integrity, accountability, discipline, ethical conduct, professionalism, and public trust.
• Direct a major division, bureau, or Department-wide function; establish priorities, objectives, performance expectations, and accountability systems consistent with Department and City goals.
• Lead, supervise, and evaluate Lieutenants, Sergeants, professional staff managers, and other assigned personnel; develop command staff and ensure consistent supervisory practices throughout the assigned command.
• Plan and direct staffing, deployment, organizational structure, scheduling, equipment, facilities, technology, and other resources necessary to support effective police operations.
• Oversee significant criminal investigations, critical incidents, emergency operations, major events, civil disturbances, mutual-aid responses, and other complex operations; assume or assign command responsibilities as appropriate.
• Review significant uses of force, pursuits, complaints, injuries, vehicle crashes, risk events, internal administrative matters, operational failures, and other incidents requiring senior command oversight; ensure appropriate corrective action and organizational learning.
• Develop, review, and implement policies, procedures, strategic initiatives, operational plans, performance measures, accreditation requirements, and quality-assurance systems.
• Prepare, administer, and monitor assigned budgets; prioritize capital and operating needs; oversee procurement and contracts; and ensure responsible stewardship and accountability for public resources.
• Analyze crime, calls for service, workload, staffing, response, enforcement, community feedback, risk, and performance information to identify trends and direct data-informed improvements.
• Participate in recruitment, selection, promotion, succession planning, training, employee development, labor and employee-relations matters, discipline, and organizational change initiatives as assigned.
• Coordinate major initiatives with other Department commands, City leadership, Fire Rescue, criminal justice agencies, schools, businesses, community organizations, and regional partners.
• Represent the Department before City officials, community groups, professional organizations, media or public forums when authorized, and other governmental or law-enforcement entities.
• Serve as acting executive command officer when designated and provide recommendations to the Chief of Police and executive leadership on policy, operations, staffing, budget, risk, and organizational priorities.
• Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• All applicants for sworn law enforcement classifications must meet the following common minimum standards:
• Be at least nineteen (19) years of age at the time of appointment.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent recognized by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC).
• Meet all minimum qualifications for employment or appointment as a Florida law enforcement officer under section 943.13, Florida Statutes, and applicable CJSTC rules, including requirements related to criminal history, military discharge, fingerprints, good moral character, background investigation, physical examination, controlled-substance screening, required affidavits, training, examination, and continuing training or education.
• Possess a valid Florida law enforcement officer certification issued through FDLE/CJSTC at the time of application, OR be eligible and able to obtain Florida law enforcement officer certification no later than the date of appointment. Applicants who are not currently Florida-certified must successfully complete the applicable CJSTC certification, equivalency-of-training, reinstatement, or other authorized process, including the State Officer Certification Examination when required, before appointment.
• Possess a valid driver license from any state equivalent to a Florida Class E license and obtain a valid Florida driver license within thirty (30) days of employment.
• Be legally eligible to possess and use firearms and other law-enforcement equipment required to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Successfully complete all City and Department selection, background, and post-offer requirements applicable to sworn law enforcement personnel.
• Maintain all licenses, certifications, qualifications, and mandatory retraining required for continued service as a Florida law enforcement officer.

CLASSIFICATION SPECIFIC MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible full-time sworn law enforcement experience, including at least five (5) years of supervisory or command experience and at least two (2) years at the rank of Lieutenant or a substantially equivalent command-level classification.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, public administration, organizational leadership, management, or a related field; graduate education is desirable.
• Completion of a recognized command or executive-level law-enforcement leadership program.
• Demonstrated experience directing a major patrol, investigative, support-services, professional-standards, or comparable law-enforcement division.
• Advanced experience in budgeting, policy development, accreditation, emergency management, organizational change, strategic planning, or labor/employee relations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, Work Environment and Work Hours

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, constitutional principles, court decisions, ordinances, and rules applicable to law enforcement.
• Knowledge of modern policing principles and practices, criminal investigation, arrest and search procedures, evidence handling, report writing, traffic enforcement, emergency response, officer safety, and community policing.
• Knowledge of Department and City policies, procedures, rules, and organizational expectations applicable to assigned work.
• Ability to observe, assess, and analyze rapidly changing situations; identify lawful options; make sound decisions under stress; and clearly articulate the factual and legal basis for actions taken.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, orally and in writing, with persons from diverse backgrounds and in routine, emotional, hostile, or emergency circumstances.
• Ability to prepare, review, and maintain accurate reports, records, electronic documentation, and case information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, City personnel, criminal justice partners, community members, elected and appointed officials, and the public.
• Ability to operate police vehicles, radios, computers, body-worn camera systems, mobile technology, and other law-enforcement equipment and software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, follow lawful orders, accept accountability, maintain confidentiality, and adapt to changing operational priorities.
• Skill in conflict resolution, de-escalation, interpersonal communication, customer service, and problem-solving.
• Ability to demonstrate conduct consistent with the City and Department mission, vision, values, ethics requirements, and standards of professional conduct.
• Comprehensive knowledge of law-enforcement administration, strategic leadership, organizational management, command accountability, policy development, and contemporary policing practices.
• Knowledge of public-sector budgeting, procurement, personnel management, labor and employee relations, risk management, accreditation, emergency management, and intergovernmental coordination.
• Ability to lead through multiple supervisory levels, establish organizational priorities, manage complex change, evaluate performance, and make high-consequence decisions with limited information and time.
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, elected and appointed officials, criminal justice partners, community stakeholders, employees, and the public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.
The work requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, climbing, and operating a motor vehicle. The employee must be able to physically respond to emergency situations and may be required to run, pursue, restrain, apprehend, or assist in controlling individuals; enter or exit vehicles quickly; climb stairs, fences, or other obstacles; and work in confined or uneven areas. The employee may be required to lift, carry, push, pull, drag, or otherwise move objects or persons, including under emergency conditions. The work may require the use of physical force consistent with applicable law, Department policy, and training.
The employee must possess the physical coordination, agility, strength, balance, and endurance necessary to safely perform essential law-enforcement functions. The work may require wearing a duty uniform, body armor, duty equipment, and other protective equipment for extended periods.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Unavoidable hazards refer to job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though reasonable precautions have been taken.
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in a variety of environments and under conditions that may be unpredictable and potentially hazardous. The employee may be exposed to inclement weather, extreme temperatures, traffic, loud or disruptive noises, hazardous substances, bodily fluids, communicable diseases, weapons, hostile or aggressive individuals, physical confrontations, and other potentially dangerous situations.
Work may be performed at crime scenes, traffic-crash scenes, residences, businesses, public facilities, roadways, parks, waterways, special events, and other locations throughout the City or outside the City when authorized.
WORK HOURS
Varies. The position may be required to work days, nights, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, special events, emergency activations, call-back assignments, and other schedules necessary to meet the operational needs of the City and Department.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE
The City of Deerfield Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss accommodation needs through the appropriate City process.
ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS
It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures, training, and safe work practices; properly use and maintain required personal protective equipment; and promptly report unsafe conditions, work practices, injuries, or illnesses.
Employees assigned supervisory responsibilities are responsible for enforcing applicable safety rules and regulations, promoting safe work practices, ensuring required training is completed, and taking reasonable action to maintain a safe work environment.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
During emergency conditions, all City employees are considered emergency service workers and may be required to report for duty or remain on duty during disasters, hurricanes, civil emergencies, critical incidents, or other emergency conditions. Sworn personnel may be assigned any lawful emergency service or law-enforcement duty consistent with operational needs.

The City of Deerfield Beach values the service veterans and their family members have given to our country and supports the hiring of returning service members and military spouses.
CITY OF DEERFIELD BEACH 2026 BENEFITS SUMMARY

HOLIDAY LEAVE
Twelve (12) days shall be the days observed by all City employees as holidays and the one (1) personal leave day shall be taken at the employee's discretion with permission of the Department Director or their designee (once each calendar year)
New Year's DayLabor DayMartin Luther King Jr. DayVeteran's DayPresident's DayThanksgiving DayMemorial DayDay Following Thanksgiving DayJuneteenthChristmasIndependence Day Day preceding or following Christmas Day as designated by the City Manager

VACATION LEAVE
Employees start to accrue vacation leave effective at the start of the first full month of employment based on the following schedule:
Service Time Leave Accumulated Annually Hours Maximum Accrual Hours 0 - 48 months96 hours per year19249 - 108 months112 hours per year224109 - 168 months136 hours per year272169 months and over 176 hours per year352

SICK LEAVE

Employees start to accrue sick leave effective at the start of the first full month of employment. Employees sick days shall be credited at the rate of eight (8) hours or one (1) working day for each month of completed service.
RETIREMENT PLAN

The retirement program for this position is the Florida Retirement System (FRS)
EDUCATIONAL REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
Full-time employees are eligible to receive educational reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate coursework according to the following criteria and schedule of benefits. Employees who have completed their one (1) year of employment are eligible to participate in the Educational Reimbursement Program. With approval of the course(s) and subject to availability of funds, employees may be eligible for reimbursement (other than Master's Degree program courses) of 100% for a grade of A, 90% for a grade of B, and 75% for a grade of C. The City will provide reimbursement up to a maximum of $5,250.00 per tax (calendar) year based on current federal taxation requirements and limits, or as may be modified in future years. Per IRS regulations, tax-free benefits under an education assistance program are limited to $5,250 per employee, per year.

ANNUAL EVALUATIONS
An annual evaluation will be given on the anniversary date of employment. Annual evaluations are eligible for merit increases to commensurate with the City's pay for performance policy of up to 3%.


DISCOUNT PROGRAMS
The City offers a variety of discount programs. The following are some areas for available discounts: Tickets at Work, Government Car Rental, Tri-Rail EDP Discount., and etc.

WELLNESS PROGRAMS
Employees on the City's medical plan may participate in the City's Wellness Program to help offset the cost of their medical premiums. For new hires, points toward the Wellness Program can be accumulated starting from your date of hire through the last day of the year. Existing employees may begin participating in the program at any time. Please note, points will only be tallied on a calendar-year basis.


EMPLOYEE BENEFITS HIGHLIGHTS
The City of Deerfield Beach provides group insurance benefits to eligible employees. The Employee Benefit Highlights Booklet provides a general summary of the benefit options as a convenient reference.
Please note, the benefits listed above are subject to change. Full descriptions of each benefit listed may be found in the Employee Benefits Highlight Booklet, Employee Personnel Rules and Regulations, applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement, or by contacting Human Resources and Risk Management at View phone number on click.appcast.io or
01


Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?

• Less than High School
• High School Diploma or equivalent recognized by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC).
• Some College
• Associate's Degree/Trade School/Certification
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher

02


What is/was your major field of study? (Associate's degree or above)?

• Criminal Justice
• Public Administration
• Organizational Leadership
• Management
• Related field
• N/A

03


Do you have possession of a valid Florida driver's license or another state license equivalent to a Florida Class E license? (must remain valid throughout employment)

• I currently possess a valid FL driver license
• I currently possess a valid license from another state equivalent to a Florida class E license and understand that, if selected, I must obtain a valid Florida license within 30 days of hire.
• None of the above

04


Has your driver's license ever been suspended, cancelled or revoked for any reason in the past 7 years?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have at least 10 years of full-time sworn law enforcement experience?

• Yes
• No

06


If you have at least 10 years of full-time sworn law enforcement experience, briefly describe your law enforcement background and the roles you have held.If no, enter N/A.
07


Do you have a minimum of 5 years of supervisory or command experience, including at least 2 years at the rank of Lieutenant or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

08


If you have a minimum of 5 years of supervisory or command experience, including at least 2 years at the rank of Lieutenant or equivalent, summarize your supervisory or command responsibilities and the areas you oversaw.If no, enter N/A.
09


Do you currently hold valid Florida law enforcement (FDLE/CJSTC) certification, or are you eligible to obtain it by appointment?

• Yes
• No

10


If you currently hold valid Florida law enforcement (FDLE/CJSTC) certification, or are you eligible to obtain it by appointment, please provide relevant details about your certification history, including agency and dates.If no, enter N/A.
11


Do you have experience overseeing critical incidents, major events, or significant investigations?

• Yes
• No

12


If you have experience overseeing critical incidents, major events, or significant investigations, provide a brief overview of the types of incidents or investigations you oversaw and your roleIf no, enter N/A.
13


Do you have experience developing or implementing policies, strategic initiatives, or operational plans?

• Yes
• No

14


If you have experience developing or implementing policies, strategic initiatives, or operational plans, describe a policy, initiative, or plan you contributed to and its purpose.If no, enter N/A.
15


Are you willing and able to successfully complete all required City and Police Department selection processes, including applicable background investigations, fingerprinting, physical and medical examinations, controlled-substance screening, psychological or other legally required evaluations, and post-offer requirements for sworn law enforcement personnel?

• Yes
• No

16


Have you previously applied to this or any other position with the City of Deerfield Beach?

• Yes
• No

17


If yes, please state the position(s) and dates applied.
18


Where did you hear about this job opportunity?

• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Social Media
• Deerfield-beach.com
• Word of Mouth
• Other

19


Prior to submitting your application, have you confirmed the following documents have been attached as required? APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT PROPER REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION WILL BE DEEMED INCOMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

• Documents showing US citizenship status
• Valid Driver's License
• Valid Florida law enforcement officer certification
• Proof of highest completed education
• Valid command or executive-level law-enforcement leadership program certification

Required Question