Law Enforcement Trainee (2026)

Salary : $69,764.40 Annually
Location : Public Safety Building, 2801 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, FL
Job Type: Full-Time, Non Exempt
Job Number: 202501825
Department: POLICE DEPARTMENT
Division: POLICE PATROL UNIT
Opening Date: 01/05/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Description


The Coral Springs Police Department has a diverse workforce, with an authorized strength of 230 police officers and over 99 civilian members, who are dedicated to providing the highest level of professional service to our citizens, businesses and the visitors we serve. We are nationally accredited, as an Accreditation with Excellence Agency in both Law Enforcement and Communications, through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) as well as a Meritorious Agency at the state level through the Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA).

This level of service has allowed Coral Springs to enjoy one of the lowest crime rates in Florida for cities with a population of over 100,000 residents. By incorporating a number of problem solving initiatives throughout the community, such as the Burglary Enforcement And Reduction Unit, the Make a Call Make a Difference community crime campaign and having a School Resource Officer in every public school, our staff is committed to the City of Coral Springs' mission statement: to be the premier city in which to live, work and raise a family.

For more information on our City and Police Department, please visit the following sites:

Coral Springs Police Department Employment Information:
Coral Springs Police Department website:

Examples of Duties


The Law Enforcement Trainee position is designed for candidates who meet the Coral Springs Police Department's education requirement but do not possess the required experience to automatically qualify as a Law Enforcement Officer. Additionally, the Law Enforcement Trainee position offers an opportunity for candidates who have served 2 years in the military and have earned a minimum of 60 college credits to become sworn Law Enforcement Officers. The Coral Springs Police Department only hires Law Enforcement Trainees who are prepared to become Law Enforcement Officers immediately upon successful completion of the Police Academy. Law Enforcement Trainees are immediately sworn-in and promoted to Law Enforcement Officers upon successful completion of the Police Academy and their base salary is increased to $77,516.00.

Under specific direction of a Law Enforcement Sergeant, assists with the performance of non-emergency police work and attendance at the Police Academy. Employee functions at entry staff level to assist with law enforcement duties. Specific assignments are received from a Law Enforcement Sergeant or superior officer, however, employee must be capable of reacting with independent judgment and initiative in dealing with routine and non-emergency situations.

• Enforces vehicle parking and operating laws; issues and explains citations for violations.
• Assists Law Enforcement Officers with investigations of wanted and missing persons, and stolen property; assists in the preparation of police reports.
• Directs traffic and assists pedestrians at intersections.
• Prepares various daily and periodic written reports and departmental forms; maintains logs; completes forms; prepares speed reports.
• Assists with natural disaster preparedness and emergency response; directs evacuation traffic.
• Assists with animal control services.
• Attends training academy, training sessions and seminars as directed.

Typical Qualifications


MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college, OR
• Prefer two years of active duty in the Military AND a minimum of 60 credit hours from an accredited college in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Other military, work and education experience may be considered in lieu of the above preference.
  • All candidates that qualify for the reduced 60 college credit requirement must sign a contract agreeing to complete their Bachelor's Degree within 5 years of hire.
  • Credits must be degree seeking credits not attained as a result of Police Academy attendance.
• Meet the requirements outlined for Law Enforcement Officers pursuant to Florida State Statute and meet minimum standards as set forth by the Broward College Institute of Public Safety and the City of Coral Springs.
• Must be at least 21 years of age and a United States Citizen.
• Possess a current valid Florida driver's license and acceptable driving record at the time of application.

Supplemental Information


Candidates selected for further consideration after submitting their initial employment application will be contacted through notification to their governmentjobs.com account to provide additional documentation including the Extended Application. Only candidates selected for consideration beyond the submission of their initial employment application will be provided with these documents. Please do not attach any test scores or documentation other than a resume prior to being instructed to do so.

Coral Springs Police Department Law Enforcement Trainees are fully sponsored while attending the Broward College Institute of Public Safety Police Academy. Law Enforcement Trainees are eligible for insurance benefits while attending the Police Academy. Additionally, tuition, books and any other required class materials are fully paid for. Upon successful completion of the Academy and successful completion of the State Certification Exam, Law Enforcement Trainees are sworn in as Law Enforcement Officers and begin Field Training.

Law Enforcement Trainees are immediately sworn-in and promoted to Law Enforcement Officers upon successful completion of the Police Academy and brought to Step 1 of the current pay scale for the position of Law Enforcement Officer. Below is the current pay scale from the Collective Bargaining Agreement. If you have any additional questions, please refer to the Collective Bargaining Agreement using this link:
EXAMINATION PROCESS:
The following includes all steps required to process for the position. Continuing on with each step of the process is contingent upon successfully completing the previous step. Candidates can be dismissed at any point throughout the consideration process. Communication regarding scheduling and updates will be posted to your account, please check your account regularly.

1. Apply via our online application
2. Application review
3. Request sent to candidate for required documents and Extended Application to be completed
4. Review of Extended Application and documents. Review of documents to include:
   1. C.J.B.A.T. (Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test) - minimum passing score within last 4 years - Can be taken anywhere in Florida - NOT required for candidates that hold an Associate Degree or higher, have active military service or holds a State of Florida Certification.
   2. Basic Motor Skills Test (Agility Test) - passing score within last 6 months - Administered by Broward College Institute of Public Safety
   3. Swim Test - passing score, does not expire - Administered by Broward College Institute of Public Safety
   4. Copy of Birth Certificate
   5. Copy of High School Diploma or GED (only if applying without Bachelor's Degree)
   6. Copy of Driver's License with current name and address
   7. Copy of Social Security Card with current/correct name
   8. Copy of Military Release Form - DD214 (if applicable)
   9. Official Sealed/Stamped College Transcripts
5. Oral Board
6. Computerized Voice Stress Analysis Examination and Fingerprints
7. Psychological Evaluation
8. Ride Along Participation
9. Interview with Chief of Police
10. Extensive Background Investigation
11. Post-Offer Medical Examination and Drug Test
12. Completion of 12 month probationary period

The Coral Springs Police Department is firmly committed to offering an equitable, drug-free work environment. We do not discriminate in any employment related decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability or other similar factors that are not job-related. This commitment is practiced in all aspects of our personnel policies, programs, practices, recruitment, examination, appointment, training, promotion, retention and other related activities. When requested, the Coral Springs Police Department will make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Unit at if special assistance is needed.
The City of Coral Springs offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular full-time employees which includes annual leave, holiday pay, personal days, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.

For more information on Compensation, Benefits, and the Union Contract, please click


For information on our Police Officer's Retirement Plan, please click
01


To qualify for consideration as a Law Enforcement Trainee you must hold a Bachelor's Degree (or be within 90 days of graduation) OR you must have served Active Duty in the Military for 2-years AND ALSO HOLD a minimum education requirement. Do you currently hold (now or within 90 days) a Bachelor's Degree from a college accredited by the US Department of Education? If not, have you served 2-Years of Active Duty Military Service AND ALSO HOLD an Associate's Degree or 60 degree seeking credits from a college accredited by the US Department of Education?

• Yes
• No

02


If you currently do not hold a Bachelor's Degree and meet the requirement of serving 2-Year Active Military Duty ALONG WITH an Associate's Degree or 60 College Credits towards a Bachelor's Degree you will be required to complete your Bachelor's Degree within 5 years of hire, on your own time, regardless of your assignment or schedule. NOTE: Only candidates with 2-years active duty military experience will be considered for the reduced education requirement. Are you willing to comply with this requirement?

• Yes
• No

03


The State of Florida requires all Law Enforcement Officers to hold United States Citizenship. Are you a Citizen of the United States (Naturalized or otherwise)?

• Yes
• No

04


Have you previously applied for employment with the City of Coral Springs?

• Yes
• No

05


If you answered YES to the question above, what position did you apply for and when.
06


Have you used ANY drugs (including steroids) without a doctor's prescription or ANY illegal drugs within 24 months of the date of this application?

• Yes
• No

07


If you answered YES to the question above, list month/year, type of drug and number of times.
08


Do you have any tattoos on your neck, face or hands?

• Yes
• No

09


Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

• Yes
• No

10


Has your Driver's License ever been suspended?

• Yes
• No

11


If you answered YES to the question above, list from most recent to oldest, indicating month/year and reason for suspension for each occurrence.
12


In regards to your driving record, how many TOTAL "moving violations" have you been issued since receiving your Driver's License? List from most recent to oldest, indicating month/year and infraction for each citation.
13


The schedule of a Police Officer entails working overnight, weekends, holidays and during emergency situations. As a police officer you may also be required to work beyond your scheduled shift and/or be called into work with little or no notice. Are you prepared to fully meet these schedule requirements?

• Yes
• No

14


If accepted for processing, the Coral Springs Police Department requires candidates to present passing CJBAT, Swim and Motor Skills scores within 30 days as part of the extended application process. Are you able to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

15


The City of Coral Springs has many bodies of water and swimming pools within our community, as such, being able to swim is a requirement. If you are selected for further processing and have not already obtained a passing swim test from the Broward College IPS, you will be required to take a swimming test within 30 days of this application. Are you able to comply with this requirement?

• Yes
• No

16


If accepted into the Police Academy there is a stringent physical fitness requirement in which cadets must achieve an overall score of 75% to remain employed. Cadets not achieving a score of 75% on the final profile will be terminated by the Coral Springs Police Department. To receive 100% on the physical profile you must properly execute 12 pull-ups, 85 sit-ups, 60 push-ups, 41 treadmills, 60 bend/twists, 35 squat thrusters (aka. Burpees) and a sub 3 minute ½ mile run. Are you physically conditioned to achieve a score of 75% or higher on the aforementioned regiment?

• Yes
• No

17


Other than earning your degree, what have you done to expose yourself to the law enforcement profession? Include law enforcement related internships, number of ride-alongs (as well as the agency that hosted your ride-alongs) and any other law enforcement specific exposure and/or experience you possess.
18


Applicants will undergo a preliminary interview, CVSA Exam (lie detector), FDLE sanctioned Medical Exam, 10-Panel Drug Screen and Background Investigation. Are you willing to comply with all aspects of the hiring process?

• Yes
• No

19


The question that follows will be reviewed for quality of content, correct spelling and grammar. The use of ChatGPT or similar AI tools is prohibited during the application process, and any detected usage will result in automatic dismissal from the consideration process.Why do you want to be a law enforcement officer?
20


The question that follows will be reviewed for correct spelling and grammar. There is no right or wrong answer. The use of ChatGPT or similar AI tools is prohibited during the application process, and any detected usage will result in automatic dismissal from the consideration process.You are a law enforcement officer. You are stationed at an intersection within our city that is known to have a large number of serious accidents due to motorists running the red light. You observe a vehicle run the red light and initiate a traffic stop. Upon approaching the vehicle you observe a driver, a crying toddler in a car seat and a large number of grocery bags. You advise the driver why they have been pulled over. The driver quickly apologizes and states that they were distracted by the crying child. Upon conducting a driver's license check you are advised the driver had an arrest in 1998 for "driving under the influence" and a ticket for running a red light in 2012.Describe how you would handle this situation.
21


Using appropriate grammar and spelling, please advise how much time you have spent in the City of Coral Springs prior to submitting this application? If you have not spent time in Coral Springs, have you spent time in any area of South Florida; specifically, Broward, Palm Beach or Miami-Dade County? If so, where and for how long?
22


Using appropriate grammar and spelling, please explain what factors went into your decision to apply to the Coral Springs Police Department. The use of ChatGPT or similar AI tools is prohibited during the application process, and any detected usage will result in automatic dismissal from the consideration process.
23


Any accidental or intentional omission of prior employment experience or information relatingto termination, voluntary resignation or discipline associated with current or prior employmentwill be cause for automatic dismissal from the consideration process and if already hired,immediate termination. Have you reviewed your responses on this document to ensure they arehonest and accurate?

• Yes
• No

24


You are applying for a position with a law enforcement agency. You will be fingerprinted in thecourse of the hiring process which will reveal your full criminal history, including items that aresealed/expunged. As indicated within this application, you are required to divulge your entirecriminal history regardless of the outcome of an arrest or the age in which you were arrested.Failure to provide this information will result in automatic dismissal from the consideration processand if already hired, immediate termination. Have you reviewed your responses on this documentto ensure they are honest and accurate?

• Yes
• No

25


Were you referred by an employee(s) of the City? If so, please list their name(s).
Required Question