Police Officer (Certified)

Salary: $81,723.20 - $120,036.80 Annually
Location : Police Department, 1300 West Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, FL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 614-25
Department: Police
Opening Date: 05/25/2026
Closing Date: 6/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


POSITION SUMMARY
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is now offering a Sign-on Bonus for Certified Police Officers. Candidates who successfully complete the selection process and are hired by the agency will receive a one-time payment of $7,500 upon successful completion of State Officer Certification Exam.

**Florida State Certified Police Officers will receive their sign-on bonus upon hire. **

The City of Fort Lauderdale's Police Officers are responsible for maintaining peace and safety, protecting life and property, and promoting community engagement and trust. Fort Lauderdale Police Officers serve a highly diverse multicultural community.

This job classification is included within the bargaining unit represented by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and therefore is subject to the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Fort Lauderdale and the FOP.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR SUBMITTING ON-LINE APPLICATION

Failure to submit ALL of the required documents will result in your application being incomplete and not processed.
1. POLICE OFFICER CERTIFICATION (FDLE; FEDERAL OR CURRENT STATE POLICE OFFICER CERTIFICATION WITH COPY OF ACADEMY CURRICULUM)2. DD214 MILITARY RELEASE FORM - MEMBER 4 COPY (if applicable)3. PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST ()*

4. DRIVING HISTORY

*FOR OUT OF STATE APPLICANTS- Proof of successful completion of PAT is not required with the application, however candidates must successfully complete all of these exams prior to the date of hire.


POLICE OFFICER TESTING PROCESS
In addition to the minimum requirements, each applicant will be required to successfully complete the following testing requirements:

• ORAL BOARD INTERVIEW
• POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION
• COMPREHENSIVE BACKGROUND CHECK
• PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
• MEDICAL/PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

NOTE : The duties of this position will include all of those duties set forth in the official job description.

JOB REQUIREMENTS, PREFERENCES & WORK ENVIRONMENT
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO BE A CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICER

1. Be at least 19 years of age.


2. Be a United States citizen (U.S. born or naturalized).

3. Have a U.S. high school education, General Education Development (GED) or equivalent, which includes United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) tests. Equivalence of Non-U.S. education must be approved by the State of Florida's Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (If a degree was acquired in a country other than the United States, evidence of equivalence from a recognized agency must be provided.)
4. Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement or have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.

5. Possess a valid Florida driver's license or obtain within 30 days of appointment.

6. Must meet one of the requirements below:

• Possess a valid Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Police Officer Certification.
  • Must provide copy of certification
• Possess a certification from another Federal or State Law Enforcement Agency and worked as a full-time Police Officer for at least one (1) year (excluding police academy training hours) - Must provide State certification and academy training curriculum.
• Completed an Equivalency of Academy Training program approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. - Must provide copy of certification.

7. Shall be non-user of tobacco products which include, but may not be limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes or vapor cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco of any kind at all times (whether on or off duty).
8. Must be able to successfully complete all City of Fort Lauderdale required pre-employment examination requirements.
9. Have a good moral character as determined by a background investigation under procedures established by the Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission.
10. If claiming Veterans' Preference, you must attach a copy of the DD214 Member 4 form (or other supporting claim documents) to your on-line application.
The FLPD is one of the finest in the country, and as such, employs the best qualified applicants. During the examination process, emphasis is placed on a candidate's CHARACTER. Indications of a candidate's honesty and integrity begin with the submission of the application. All information provided on a candidate's application, and all other forms submitted for processing, must be TRUE, ACCURATE, and WITHOUT OMMISSION, as well as in all other stages of the testing process. This is a critical component of the process in determining if the MORAL CHARACTER of a candidate is appropriate for employment as a Police Officer. Failure to meet and/or maintain this determination can result in a candidate's removal from the application process. We will verify the candidate's information through various sources, including an intensive background investigation and a comprehensive polygraph examination.

For more detailed information regarding our requirements,
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR POLICE OFFICER APPLICANTS

SALARY

The salary range for Certified Police Officer is $81,723.20-$120,036.80, annually. Experienced Police Officers may be offered a higher starting salary based on their years of service (not inclusive of academy training time) as detailed below:

• 1 - 2.9 years of service $85,092 minimum annual salary
• 3 - 4.9 years of service $88,441 minimum annual salary
• 5 - 6.9 years of service $91,998 minimum annual salary
• 7 - 8.9 years of service $95,326 minimum annual salary
• 9 or more years of service $ 98,779 minimum annual salary

For more information regarding frequently asked questions,
WORKWEEK
Average workweek is forty (40) hours with overtime or compensatory time off (at time-and-one-half) for hours in excess of forty (40) hours in a standard workweek. After one (1) year of service with the City, a Police Officer may request preference for shift assignment once each calendar year. Such assignments are based upon departmental seniority and your preference.


EQUIPMENT
With the exception of footwear, all uniforms and required equipment are furnished by the department.


BENEFITS:
Retirement
Police Officers are eligible for normal retirement after twenty-four (24) years of service computed at 3.38% percent per year up to a maximum of 81%. The retirement plan is supported by the City and is contributory on the part of the employee, who is required to contribute ten percent (10%) of his/her (pre-tax) gross salary. Post retirement pay step benefit of three percent (3%) every three years, starting after the third year of retirement.


Vacation - Sick Leave - Hospitalization
Vacation is accrued at a rate of 120.12 hrs. per year; also eligible for ten (10) paid holidays


There is also sick leave benefit (with options to convert sick leave to vacation or cash.)


The Union will provide and administer a comprehensive group health and dental plan for all members of the Bargaining Unit.


Tuition Refund
After one (1) year of service with the City, a Police Officer may participate in the Tuition Refund program for partial or full reimbursement of tuition for job-related college course work (based on grades).
As public servants, employees may be required to work immediately before, during, and/or after an emergency. All employees must be available and able to work assigned shifts as determined by their Department Heads.

HOW TO APPLY & SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Applicants who qualify will be subject to an extensive selection process and screening program, which may include, but not be limited to evaluation of training and experience; written test; interview; employment record, background check; medical examination; and drug screen. The expected duration of the selection process varies by position.

The City of Fort Lauderdale is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, inclusive employer and a Drug Free Workplace. The City of Fort Lauderdale does not discriminate based on age, citizenship status, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

For technical support with your application, contact from 9 am to 9 pm EST, Monday to Friday, at View phone number on click.appcast.io or
The City of Fort Lauderdale offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular full-time employees including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and short-term disability insurance.

Click for an overview of employment information including our benefits package.

Say "Hello" to the City of Fort Lauderdale and Say "Goodbye" to Your Student Loan! Under the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, the remaining balance on your student loan may be forgiven after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time at the City of Fort Lauderdale! Click for more information or to see if you qualify.
01


As you prepare to submit your online employment application for Police Officer, please ensure that you have read ALL of the information provided in the position announcement. Failure to submit ALL of the required documents will result in your application being disapproved. You must include these documents as attachments to this on-line application. Please DO NOT send in a duplicate copy or paper application once you have submitted your online application. Please note that this supplemental questionnaire is an integral part of the application process and must be completed together with the formal online employment application in order for you to be considered as an applicant. Please initial below to acknowledge you have read and understood this information.
02


Are you a United States citizen (U.S. born or naturalized)?

• Yes
• No

03


Are you 19 years of age or older?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have a High School Diploma, GED or Equivalent?

• Yes
• No

05


Have you ever previously applied for any position within the FLPD, inclusive of Police Officer (Certified)?

• Yes
• No

06


If you answered "Yes" to question #5, please list the date of application, position applied for, and disposition.
07


Which of the following best describes your paid full-time experience (not inclusive of academy training time) in law enforcement?

• Less than 1 year
• 1-2.9 years of service
• 3-4.9 years of service
• 5-6.9 years of service
• 7-8.9 years of service
• 9 or more years of service

08


Do you possess a valid FDLE Police Officer Certification.

• Yes
• No

09


If you answered "No" to question #8, do you possess a certification from another federal or state law enforcement agency and worked as a full-time police officer for at least one (1) year (excluding police academy training hours)?

• Yes
• No

10


Have you completed an Equivalency of Academy Training (EOT) program approved by FDLE?

• Yes
• No

11


Do you have or are you able to obtain a valid Florida Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

12


In the past five (5) years, have you had any of the following? Check all that apply.

• Eight (8) or more points on your driving record in any State
• A traffic related suspension
• Four (4) or more moving violations
• DUI/DWI/BUI (Boating under the influence)
• Hit and Run
• None of these apply

13


Do you have any outstanding traffic warrants or pending citations included (unpaid traffic fines)?

• Yes
• No

14


Are you currently under criminal investigation or have criminal charges pending?

• Yes
• No

15


Do you currently have any open internal affairs cases or pending investigations by the FDLE or a similar out-of-state regulatory body?

• Yes
• No

16


If you answered "Yes" to question #15, please explain (include date initiated, allegation, and current status). Put "N/A" if not applicable.
17


Do you have any pending civil litigation related to your prior employment as a law enforcement officer?

• Yes
• No

18


If you answered "Yes" to question #17, please explain (include date initiated, complaint, and current status). Put "N/A" if not applicable.
19


Have you ever been terminated or resigned in lieu of termination?

• Yes
• No

20


If you answered "Yes" to question #19, please explain (include date initiated and a summary of circumstances). Put "N/A" if not applicable.
21


Have you ever applied to any law enforcement agency?

• Yes
• No

22


If you answered "Yes" to question #21, please indicate the name of the agency, final disposition of the application (including date), and if it was inclusive of a polygraph and/or psychological evaluation. Put "N/A" if not applicable.
23


The current policy of the Fort Lauderdale police department prohibits body markings, tattoos, and scarification that are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Police Department. Examples include, but are not limited to, those that are drug-related, gang-related, extremist, obscene, indecent, sexist, or racist. Additionally, they should not depict intolerance or discrimination against any race, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identification. Tattoos, body marking or scarifications not described above should be concealable in a long sleeve shirt and long pant police uniform. Any other tattoo, branding or scarification will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Will you be able to meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

24


The current policy of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department prohibits the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapors cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco of any kind (on or off duty), at time of application. Do you meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

25


Have you received any discharge/separation other than "Honorable" from the Military?

• Yes
• No

26


Regarding your response to #25, please check the appropriate box below.

• I have never served in the Military
• I am still serving in the Military
• I received an Honorable Discharge
• I received an Other than Honorable Discharge
• I received a Dishonorable Discharge
• Entry level separation
• Other

27


Have you ever been convicted of, pleaded guilty, or nolo contendere to any felony offense (regardless of a withholding of adjudication or a suspended sentence)?

• Yes
• No

28


Have you ever been convicted of, pleaded guilty, or nolo contendere to any misdemeanor involving perjury, false statements, or domestic/family violence (including elder or disabled abuse) regardless of a withholding of adjudication or a suspended sentence?

• Yes
• No

29


Have you ever been questioned, detained, issued a Notice to Appear or arrested, by any law enforcement agency?

• Yes
• No

30


If you answered "Yes" to question #29, pursuant to Florida statute, you must list all arrests (to include juvenile, traffic, those that were sealed, expunged, and/or in which you pleaded nolo contendere). Specify the date, investigating agency, place of occurrence, report number, and reason for the questioning/detention, or crime charged.
31


Have you ever been a member of, associated with, or supported any gang or extremist organization?

• Yes
• No

32


Have you ever manufactured or sold illegal drugs to anyone?

• Yes
• No

33


Have you used any illegal drugs while employed by a police or corrections agency?

• Yes
• No

34


Other than marijuana, Adderall XR, Mydayis, or their generic equivalents (such as amphetamine salt combos or lisdexamfetamine), have you ever used any Schedule I or Schedule II drug, as defined by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, in an illegal or recreational manner?

• Yes
• No

35


Have you used marijuana or any products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) within 1 year of this application?

• Yes
• No

36


Is there any circumstance or information of any type that would preclude you from any position with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, or that you feel may be relative to your background investigation?

• Yes
• No

37


If you answered "Yes" to question #36, please provide an explanation below.
38


To be able to proceed to the next step of the employment process, I understand that allattachments must be properly uploaded, legible and clearly labeled. If your forms are larger than 5MB,you may have to separate the pages in order to upload.

• Yes
• No

Required Question