Police Officer - Certified

Police Officer Position

All police officers hired will start at $34.05/hour $70,824.00/annual rate. We do not offer lateral, year for year, or monetary compensation for prior years of law enforcement service. Candidate must be proficient in the English language, both verbally and written. Responsible for the protection of the public through the enforcement of State laws and City ordinances. This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

New hires may be eligible for several state benefits under Florida House Bill 3 – These state benefits include, but are not limited to:

• RECRUITMENT BONUS: A one-time Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus of up to $5,000
• SIGN-ON BONUS: A $5,000 sign on bonus will be awarded to successful applicants. The sign-on incentive bonus is required to be repaid to the city in full, should the candidate leave employment of the city – voluntarily OR involuntarily – within 2 years of the candidates' original hire date.
• HOUSING STIPEND: $500.00 monthly stipend to be paid to sworn FMPD officers who's physically occupied, primary residence is located within the Fort Myers City Limits. Contact HR for details
• SPONSORSHIP: The City of Fort Myers is offering equivalency of training sponsorship through the Southwest Florida Public Service Academy to eligible candidates. The city will pay for the equivalency of training costs. THIS SPONSORSHIP IS FOR CERTIFIED OUT OF STATE CANDIDATES THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE EQUIVALENCY OF TRAINING.

Perks and Benefits

• Free city-paid employee health coverage, additional for spouse or family
• 3 weeks Paid Time Off (sick & vacation)
• 13 paid holidays
• Pension plan & optional Deferred Compensation
• City-paid life insurance
• Optional Vision, Dental, and Disability Insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• On-site Gym facility
• And much more!

THIS POSTING SHALL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL ALL POSITIONS ARE FILLED. This job has no supervisory responsibilities. FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Safety Sensitive: YES Level II Screening: NO Responsibilities and Reporting During an Emergency Situation: Essential Employees may be required to work during a declared emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice. Non Essential Employees will not be required to work during a declared emergency. The employee's Department Head will determine when the employee will be required to work.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Answer complaints, investigate accidents, make arrests, conduct preliminary investigations, conduct citizen and business contacts, participate in stakeouts and patrol assigned areas.
• Testify in court, as needed.
• Prepare daily reports, booking reports, vehicle inventory reports, and accident reports, as required.
• May be assigned to other duties involving special training.
• This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the employee's physical presence at the workplace
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of applicable laws, state statutes and ordinances.
• Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective internal/external working relationships.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Ability to operate necessary equipment, including vehicle, computer, radio, and firearm.

Minimum Requirements

• Must possess a high school diploma or GED

Certification, License and Special Requirements

• Mandatory Drug/Alcohol Testing required.
• Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
• Must be a United States Citizen
• Must be a Florida Certified Law Enforcement Officer
• Must be 21 years of age
• Must meet the driving requirements as defined in the City of Fort Myers driving policy
• Must not have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the United States Armed Forces. Additional restrictions apply to no contest pleas in criminal cases.
• Must not have been convicted of any felony
• Must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement
• Must not have been convicted of any act of domestic violence
• Never have been charged or convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude
• Must meet restrictive drug standard
• Must pass physical fitness assessment
• Must submit to a complete background investigation including fingerprint check, polygraph, and psychological evaluation and found to be of good character
• Have fingerprints on file with the department after the completion of the initial interview
• Submit an affidavit attesting to the compliance of the above standards
• Must meet requirements of periodic in-service training and weaponry qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university preferred.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

This work typically requires the following physical activities to be performed.

• Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Climbing – ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility.
• Crawling – moving about on hands, knees, or hands, feet.
• Crouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine.
• Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.
• Fingering – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.
• Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.
• Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand.
• Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.
• Pushing – use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.
• Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.
• Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.
• Standing – for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.
• Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word
• Talking 2 – shouting to be heard above ambient noise.
• Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.
• Hearing 2 – receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.
• Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.
• Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.
• Pulling - use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug.
• Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.
• Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.
• Visual Acuity 4 - operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment.
• Visual Acuity 5 - close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.
• Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

Work performed is primarily: Heavy work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects

WORK ENVIRONMENT

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