Sergeant Cynthia Davis
Recruiter

Officer Gabiel Lopez
Recruiter

Selection Standards for Police Officers

To be eligible for employment/appointment as a police officer and/or reserve officer, an applicant must:

• Be at least nineteen (19) years of age, in accordance with F.S.S. 943.13 (1).
• Be a citizen of the United States, in accordance with F.S.S. 943.13 (2).
• Be a high school graduate or the equivalent supplemented with sixty (60) semester hours (or quarter-hour equivalents) in any recognized discipline at an accredited college or university. Although sixty (60) semester hours are required, an applicant with at least thirty (30) semester hours (excluding courses given at any police academy), is eligible to apply. An additional thirty (30) hours will be granted upon completion of training at a Florida Police Academy, such as the Southeastern Public Safety Institute, and successful completion of the State Certification Exam.

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Have at least three (3) years honorable military service or two (2) years full-time prior sworn/certified law enforcement experience and training will be accepted in lieu of the college credits.

• Successfully complete the physical agility test.
• Possess a valid driver's license at time of application and a valid State of Florida Driver's License at time of appointment.
• Be in good physical and mental health as determined by licensed physicians designed by the City, and in accordance with F.S.S. 943.13(6).
• Successfully complete the pre-employment screening process.
• Meet the vision requirements of 20/100 uncorrected, in each eye, corrected to 20/50 by glasses. Visual acuity may exceed uncorrected limits if visual acuity of 20/20 can be achieved through the use of soft contact lenses.
• Be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation and controlled substance testing, in accordance with F.S.S. 943.13 (7).
• Employees must live within a sixty (60) mile radius or two (2) hours driving time of police headquarters.

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Ineligibility for Employment with the St. Petersburg Police Department

The decision to remove an applicant's name from the appropriate eligibility list shall be made by the Employee Relations Director (or designee). It shall be the responsibility of the Employee Relations Director (or designee) to notify the applicant that his/her application will not be further considered.

• Falsification of documents (e.g., PHQ, Statement of Employability, Employment Application).
• Conviction of a felony crime, in accordance with F.S.S. 943.13 (4).
• Conviction of any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendre to or is found guilty of, a felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement shall not be eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, not withstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication, in accordance with F.S.S. 943.13 (4).
• Conviction of a misdemeanor which is contrary to the moral conscience of the general public, in accordance with rules established by the Florida Police Standards and Training Commission. Judgments must be made on a case-by-case basis. Intent, malice, knowledge of gravity of the offense, and provocation are elements to be considered in making these judgments.
• No person will be considered for employment who has received a dishonorable discharge from any of the armed forces, in accordance with F.S.S. 943.13(4).
• A person who has ever been addicted to a narcotic drug will not be considered. The following drug uses shall disqualify an applicant: 

Any use or experimentation with drugs classified as controlled substances, or any other illegal drugs, except marijuana, while not under the care of a licensed physician. 

Any use of marijuana within the twelve (12) months immediately preceding application for employment, and any past use must not exceed ten (10) times.

Have not inhaled, ingested, used, tried, or experimented with any harmful chemical substances, within the last twelve (12) months, for the purpose of inducing intoxication or which distorts or disturbs the auditory, visual, or mental processes, with the exception of those substances prescribed by and used under the care of a physician.  Any applicant with an established pattern of using harmful chemical substances in the past will not be considered for employment.

• Any person who has sold, offered for sale, induced or caused another to induce another person in the use of illegal drugs may be disqualified.
• An applicant who has been or is associated with a person involved in illegal activities, will be removed from consideration as such relationship could be detrimental to the effectiveness of the police department,
• A person who can not perform the essential functions of the job will not be considered.
• A determination that an applicant is not of good moral character will result in his/her removal from consideration.
• An applicant will be removed from consideration whose overall fitness is deemed undesirable.  This may be reflected by, but not limited to, such considerations as: illegal gambling, poor employment record; marital problems; poor credit ratings; poor driving record; unlawful behavior; excessive drinking; mental or nervous problems; beliefs which conflict with job duties; and deception.

Key in examining these problems areas will be to look for a pattern of behavior not conducive to job performance, though the severity of any problem may, by itself, make removal from consideration appropriate.

Send all employment and recruiting questions to:
General Recruiting Information

Recruiters:
Sergeant Cynthia Davis
Cynthia.Davis@stpete.org
727-892-5555
or
Officer Gabiel Lopez
Gabiel.Lopez@stpete.org
727-892-5270

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The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or other non-merit factors.