Police Officer

If you are an Internal City Employee, Retiree or Dependent/Survivor of a City Employee please apply internally via Career Icon in your Workday account.

Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builder-an employee with the City of Gainesville- you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it's a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.

Department:
GG_Police: Police District 2

Salary Range Minimum:
$29.13

Salary Range Maximum:
$41.27

Closing Date:
Until Filled

Job Details:
This is law enforcement, crime prevention, and public assistance work protecting life and property through the enforcement of Federal, State and Local laws. Employees in this classification are involved in the prevention, detection and investigation of crimes and maintaining law and order. Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under limited supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its emphasis on public protection.

Next Testing Date .................................................... August 11th, 2026

Deadline to Apply for Testing ...........................Rolling Deadline
Location .................... Gainesville Police Department, Gainesville, FL

Testing dates will be held for Certified Officers & Non-Certified Officers


Testing does involve a physical fitness portion.


**Please apply online then go to Background Forms thoroughly complete the:

Background Data Packet
Background Waiver
Physician Recommendation forms


If selected, applicants will be informed on where to mail their background forms along with a postmark date.
**Note - Background Forms mailed after the pending postmarked date will not be accepted.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view Background Forms.

Job Description:

SUMMARY

This is law enforcement, crime prevention, and public assistance work protecting life and property through the enforcement of Federal, State, and Local laws. Employees in this classification are involved in the prevention, detection, and investigation of crimes and in maintaining law and order.

Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under limited supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its emphasis on public protection.

EXAMPLES OF WORK*

*This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job. Performance of lower-level duties may be required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Patrols a designated area either by vehicle or foot patrol, being familiar with the assigned area and the citizens living in the area.

Disperses unruly crowds at public gatherings.

Reports hazards or abandoned vehicles to the appropriate City department.

Use a computer to type reports and other documents.

Directs/reroutes traffic around accidents, fire, and/or other emergencies and hazards.

Maintains assigned equipment and workstation.

Effectively interacts and communicates with the public.

Apply to federal, state, and local laws, Department Manual, Policy and Procedures, Patrol Directives, and Legal Bulletins.

Effectively participates in court-related processes.

Conducts criminal and crash investigations.

Secures crashes and crime scenes, and the collection and submission of evidence.

Conducts interviews, interrogations, and statement acquisition.

Effectively participates in searches, seizures, and arrests.

Conducts security and escort duties.

Renders first aid.

Will be required to respond under emergency conditions.

Issues warnings or tickets to violators of the law.

May be assigned desk officer duties on an assigned shift, including maintaining logs and other records, receiving and acting on complaints and requests, and facilitating the dispatch of officers to scenes of complaints, disturbances, crimes, and other emergencies.


Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

May act as training officer for police recruit personnel as well as for certified police officers in areas assigned by police supervisory personnel.

May be responsible for enforcing the drug policy, based on physical location and organizational structure.

May be required to supervise employees designated as performing "safety sensitive" functions, for purposes of the Drug Free Workplace Program, depending on job assignment and work location.

May be required to work with or will have access to information or documents pertaining to criminal investigations, especially those dealing with drug-related activity.

May frequently chauffeur other employees, depending upon assignment and work location.

May be required to transport, mix, handle, or use hazardous materials (other than cans of gasoline, batteries, pumping fuel, or access to normal janitorial cleaning supplies) or may be responsible for facilities or equipment carrying electric current, fluid or gas that could endanger the public or other employees.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions.


EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Must meet the following criteria:

Applicants must have a High School Diploma or GED. Applicants must include, but are not limited to:

At least one year of work experience (cumulative).

Post-secondary education will be considered in lieu of work experience.

Previous community service/volunteer service will be considered in lieu of work experience.

CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES


Licenses

Valid State of Florida Driver's License required at time of appointment. Applicants must have a good driving record at the time of appointment.

Applicants must be citizens of the United States, nineteen years of age by the date of application, and able to meet health, physical, psychological, and background standards as set forth by the City of Gainesville and the State of Florida.

Applicants must have no conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral character, perjury, or making false statements; nor, after July 1, 1981, have pled guilty or nolo contendre to, or have been found guilty of any such crimes.

Applicant's current lifestyle and recent history must be cannabis free for the past twelve (12) months and free of other illicit or illegal drug use for the past thirty-six (36) months.


Refer to departmental job requirements for additional information.

Certifications

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission's Basic Law Enforcement Certification is required at the time of appointment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of Florida Statutes and City Ordinances.

Knowledge of City geography.

Skill in the use and care of firearms, in operating police vehicles, and other required police equipment.

Ability to act effectively in diverse interpersonal settings.

Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine an appropriate course of action under stress.

Ability to react quickly and calmly under emergency conditions.

Ability to prepare clear and comprehensive reports.

Ability to apply law enforcement principles and procedures to solve problems and to handle sensitive and hostile public contacts.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to obtain relevant and accurate information through interviews, interrogation, and observation.

Ability to handle difficult situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others.

Ability to maintain security and confidentiality.

Working knowledge of computers and relevant software, and the ability to apply such knowledge in the performance of job duties.

Ability to work effectively with coworkers and problem-solving with the general public.


PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work-related environmental conditions.


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Per Gainesville Police Department General Order 22.3, police officers are required to maintain a level of physical fitness that will enable them to perform their essential duties effectively.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work may require performing tasks in and around heavy traffic.

Work may require the performance of tasks outdoors under varying climatic conditions.
Equal Opportunity

The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a disability, who require special accommodations during the selection process, should notify the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io or TDD/TTY at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Veterans' Preference

Veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans' Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However, preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position. Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans' Preference. State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans' Preference.

Note:

May Require Assessment(s).

May fill multiple positions.

May establish an eligibility list.

Come join our team! The City of Gainesville offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.

All 'regular' employees are eligible for traditional benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, paid leave, 11 paid a holidays a year, a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan, but we also o ff er great things like on-site fi tness centers, tuition reimbursement, on-site medical sta ff and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy. Please note; benefits are not available for temporary employees.

Equal Opportunity

The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a disability, who require special accommodations during the selection process, should notify the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io or TDD/TTY at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Veterans' Preference

Veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans' Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However, preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position. Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans' Preference. State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans' Preference.

If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, contact recruiting at View email address on click.appcast.io or by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io.