Police Officer – Recruit

Ocala, FL
Ocala Police Department

Salary: $34,320.00 Annually.

Position Summary:

This position is an entry level, non-sworn position in the Police Department. Incumbents in the position are assigned to the Basic Recruit Police Officer Course at an approved Community College and must satisfactorily pass all of the requirements that lead to the possession of the Florida Police Officer Standards and Training Certificate before becoming candidates for the sworn position of Police Officer. Law Enforcement Recruits report to the Resource Development Supervisor.

Essential Functions:

  • Attends and participates in a departmental approved Basic Police Officer Recruit School maintaining a minimum grade point average of 80% throughout the course. Must score at least 72% on the Florida Basic Abilities Test for Law Enforcement.
  • Required to report to work at the appointed hour, as scheduled, and to work the entire assigned shift. Required to abide by the “Law Enforcement Code of Ethics”, the Ocala Police Department Code of Conduct and Directives, and all local, state and federal laws. Must maintain 100% attendance in Basic Recruit School pursuant to CJSTC rules. Must maintain a professional, alert, and business-like manner. Additionally, recruits must maintain a military bearing in the classroom, during field training and when in the community at all times. May be required to direct traffic or perform other police-related functions when not attending classes. Attendance of classes at odd and unusual hours may be required, as well as working on weekends and designated holidays.
  • Required to successfully graduate from the assigned Basic Police Officer Recruit School and pass the State of Florida Police Certification Test.
  • This non-sworn civilian recruit training position requires performance of extremely physically demanding work occasionally that typically involves some combination of reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, running, scaling and climbing. May involve lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling. Must be able to exert up to 150 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to constantly lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects such as those required in training to develop the essential skills which are needed for chasing and subduing a law violator resisting physical control. Tasks may also involve standing, sitting or walking for long periods of time. Defensive tactics skills development, firearms qualification and emergency vehicle operations training are also essential physical functions required of this position. Reads reports, policies and procedures.

Requirements:

  • High school diploma or G.E.D.
  • Must be 19 years of age by the time of graduation from the Law Enforcement Academy. Must successfully complete OPD competitive selection process for the position, including medical, physical, drug screening and psychological assessments.
  • Florida Operators Driver’s License.
  • Florida State Law Enforcement Officer Certification. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) examination for State Law Enforcement Officer Certification must be taken and passed within 30 days of successful graduation from Basic Police Recruit School.
  • Resident of Marion County.