Law Enforcement Officer Trainee

ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY:

The University of South Florida Police Department (USFPD) is a full service law enforcement agency dedicated to providing a safe environment for and in partnership with the community while remaining committed to assisting with personal and professional development of department members and to the principle of being community minded and service driven.

USFPD is organized into various bureaus divisions sections squads and units. The department is led by a command staff comprised of sworn and non-sworn members of the rank of captainand higher a communications and records manager and public information representative; all of whom report to the chief of police through an established chain-of-command.

The Operations Bureau is commanded by a captain who oversees the Patrol Division and the Community Service Officer Program. The Patrol Division is further broken down into four squads which provide direct law enforcement services to the community. The Special Operations Bureau is commanded by a captain who oversees the Special Operations Division which includes the K9 section Criminal Investigations Special Events and Crime Prevention; all of which are led by sergeants. The Administration Bureau captain alsooversees the Support Services Division. The Support Services Division includes the Professional Standards and Information Technology Sections. The accreditation training and background investigation units fall within the Professional Standards Section which is managed by a sergeant. The Communications & Records Division reports to a non-sworn manager.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position will attend a 22-week Police Academy. The University of South Florida Police Department will cover costs for the Police Academy including all books materials and uniforms (excluding footwear). Those selected for hire will receive pay and full benefits during this training period. After this training is completed their salary increases to the salary of a certified Law Enforcement Officer.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Studies and successfully completes Basic Recruit Academy curriculum which includes but is not limited to Florida law Evidence handling Traffic Crash investigations Mental Health First Aid etc.

Demonstrates proficiency in the following areas: Law enforcement vehicle operations Criminal Justice firearms Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics Dart-firing stun gun and Criminal Justice physical fitness.

This position is considered as essential personnel. Essential personnel provide vital support to the University of South Florida and are subject to recall to work when deemed necessary by the Chief of Police/designee. Recall to work typically happens due to an emergency disaster or special event that may coincide with the official suspension of classes and/or closing of offices.

Performs other duties as assigned.

HIRING SALARY:

$50000

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

MINIMUM:
This position must meet the requirements of Chapter 943.13 Florida Statutes

FLSB1310 Equivalency:
4 years of directly relevant experience may be substituted for bachelors degree.

6 years of directly relevant experience may be substituted for masters degree.

PREFERRED:
Bachelors Degree

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 943.16 a trainee who attends such approved training program at the expense of an employing agency must remain in the employment or appointment of such employing agency for a period of not less than 2 years after graduation from the basic recruit training program. If employment or appointment is terminated on the trainees own initiative within 2 years he or she shall reimburse the employing agency for the full cost of his or her tuition and other course expenses.

Applicant Guidance:

• Review all criteria before applying.
• Prepare to fully disclose background information.
• Contact USF Police Department Recruiting with questions about eligibility.

General Fitness

1. Failure to truthfully answer every question in the Background Investigation Questionnaire.
2. Failure to pass medical psychological physical agility and/or drug test screening.

Tattoos

1. Tattoos or branding on the hands face neck and scalp are prohibited.
2. Exception: one wedding ring tattoo is permitted on the officers ring finger.
3. It is strictly prohibited to have anyvisible tattoos or branding that is sexually explicit depicts intolerance or discrimination against any race religion gender or national origin or in association with groups that advocate hate criminal activity or intolerance.

Operation of a Motor Vehicle

1. Five (5) or more moving violations within three (3) years of date of application. Moving violations for which there is a factual finding of innocence shall not be included.
2. Five (5) or more speeding violations in the comprehensive driving history.
3. Any single instance of a potential life-threatening violation i.e. reckless driving racing suspect of a pursuit etc. within three (3) years of date of application.
4. Involvement as a driver in three or more chargeable (at fault) collisions within three (3) years of date of application.
5. Any drivers license suspension in the last three (3) years.

Note: Suspensions for financial responsibility will be subject to review.

1. A conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs within five (5) years of date of application or any two (2) convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs in the comprehensive driving history.

Integrity

1. Any material misstatement of fact omission of information or significant admission during the application or background investigation process including inconsistent statements made during all phases of the hiring process (to include the polygraph examination*) or discrepancies between the background investigation and investigations conducted by this or other law enforcement agencies.

*Discrepancies noted during the polygraph examination will be further explored if the applicant continues progression in the selection process.

1. Use of tactics intended to interfere with or manipulate a polygraph examination.
2. Any forgery alteration or intentional omission of material facts on an official employment application associated document or repeated episodes of academic dishonesty.
3. Admission(s) of administrative conviction or criminal convictions for any act amounting to assault or any other violation of federal or state civil rights laws while under color of authority as a criminal justice employee.

4. Any admission(s) of administrative conviction or criminal conviction for failure to properly report witnessed criminal conduct committed by another law enforcement officer or criminal justice representative.

5. Discharged or resigned to avoid discharge from any position within a criminal justice agency for disciplinary reasons.

6. History of sustained Internal Affairs complaints or behavior that indicates poor conduct.

7. Falsifying documentation of law enforcement certification.

8. Dishonorably discharged from any military service.

Credibility

1. Conviction for any criminal offense classified as or equivalent to a misdemeanor under Florida law within five (5) years of the date of application.
2. Adult conviction for two (2) or more offenses classified as or equivalent to a misdemeanor offense under Florida law within five (5) years of the date of application.
3. Conviction for any offense classified as or equivalent to a misdemeanor under Florida law while employed as a peace officer (including military police officers) within five (5) years of the date of application.
4. Conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere plea to having committed any act classified as or equivalent to a felony under Florida law within five (5) years of date of application or at any time while employed as a criminal justice representative (including military police officers).
5. Admission(s) of administrative conviction of any act while employed as a criminal justice representative (including military police officers) involving lying falsification of any official report or document or theft.
6. Conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere plea any act of domestic violence as defined by law committed as an adult.
7. Conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere plea of any criminal act whether misdemeanor or felony committed against children.

Exception: Acts of consensual unlawful intercourse accomplished between two minors shall not be included unless more than four (4) years difference in age existed at the time of the acts.

1. Conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere plea for perjury or false statements.
2. Existence of current criminal charges for which a disposition is pending or if the applicant is on probation or parole.
3. Applicant has been on probation within five (5) years of date of application.
4. Any history of actions resulting in civil lawsuits against the applicant or his/her current or former employer(s) as a result of the applicants actions will be subject to review but may be disqualifying depending upon the circumstances.
5. Prohibited by the state to own or possess firearms or ammunition.

Dependability

1. Missing any scheduled appointment during the hiring process without prior
   to keep appointment(s) or provide documentation related to the hiring process. At least 24-hour prior notice for rescheduling of appointments is required to avoid disqualification unless otherwise specified.
2. Having been disciplined by any employer (including military) for abuse of leave gross insubordination dereliction or neglect of duty or persistent failure to follow established policies and regulations.
3. Having been involuntarily dismissed (for any reason other than layoff) from two or more employers as an adult.
4. Having held more than seven (7) paid positions with different employers within the past five (5) years or more than fifteen (15) paid positions with different employers in the past ten (10) years (excluding military).
5. Multiple bankruptcies unpaid legal judgments or significant financial instability.
6. Resigning from any paid position without notice.

7. Having any outstanding warrant of arrest at time of application.
   

Unprofessional or Discriminatory Behavior

1. Having been disciplined by any employer (including the military) or any criminal justice training facility for acts of discrimination based on race ethnicity sex sexual orientation religion disability sexual harassment or any other category protected by law policies or regulations.
2. During the hiring process for this agency uttering any epithet derogatory of another persons race religion gender/sex ethnicity national origin disability or sexual orientation.
3. Having been disciplined by any employer for fighting in the workplace.
4. Membership association or other affiliation with any group which advocates the denial of civil rights to any person or group.

Illegal Use or Possession of Drugs

1. Use or possession of any illegal drug that constitutes a felony within ten (10) years of the date of application (excluding marijuana/cannabis).
2. Use or possession of marijuana/cannabis within one (1) year of the date of application.
3. Any use of a legal or illegal substance (including the use of prescription medications) for the purpose of impairment or to get high within three (3) years of the date of application.
4. Any illegal use or possession of a drug while employed in any criminal justice capacity (including military police).
5. Any adult manufacture or cultivation of a drug or illegal substance.
6. Failure to divulge to the police department during the background investigation any information about personal illegal use or possession of drugs; including the use of marijuana or synthetic substances.
7. Any drug test of the applicant during the course of the hiring process where illegal drugs are detected.