Law Enforcement Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 878890 

Agency: Department of Law Enforcement

Working Title: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER - 71001577

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 71001577 

Salary:  $60,000.20 

Posting Closing Date: 09/30/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

CAPITOL POLICE

**Open-Competitive Opportunity for Sponsorship Candidates Only**

POSITION SUMMARY:

Capitol Police was created for the purpose of serving as a specially trained and highly effective law enforcement agency serving the safety and security needs of both the legislative and executive branches of state government. Possible assignments and career opportunities include:

• Uniform Patrol providing 24/7 coverage;
• Directed Patrol Unit (Bicycle Patrols / Community Policing / Crime Prevention);
• Drone Operations;
• Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit;
• EOD K-9 Unit;
• Honor Guard;
• Investigations Unit;
• Special Operations Team (SOT);
• Promotional Opportunities (Sergeant / Investigator / Lieutenant / Captain); and
• Protective Operations Detail (POS).

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific duties include:

• Maintaining protection of the Capitol Complex;
• Responding to complaints relating to criminal activity or security threats within the Capitol Complex and within the responsibility of the department pursuant to Chapter 943, Florida Statutes;
• Enforcing Florida Statutes as they relate to the security and protection of the Capitol Complex;
• Complying with and maintaining knowledge of all departmental policies and standard operation procedures;
• Projecting a professional demeanor while performing assigned duties;
• Maintaining communications via radio while on duty;
• Attending in-service and specialized training; and
• Conducting other assignments as required.

To be considered as a potential candidate, you must meet the minimum qualifications(s) listed below. Degrees must be from an accredited college or university as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

INTERNAL FDLE MEMBER SPONSORSHIP QUALIFICATIONS:

• Members who have served at least one year with FDLE and completed probation in a career service position or have served at least one year in an OPS capacity;
• Be in good standing and not on a performance improvement plan or currently under investigation; and 
• Received at least a satisfactory rating on their most recent performance evaluation.

EXTERNAL SPONSORSHIP QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicants who hold a current Department of Corrections certification;
• Applicants who have been honorably discharged from any of the United States Armed Forces (DD214 required);
• Previously sworn law enforcement officers whose law enforcement standards have lapsed; and
• Applicants who hold an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university (official sealed transcripts required).

REQUIREMENTS PER FLORIDA STATE STATUTE 943.13:

• United States citizen;
• High school graduate or equivalent;
• Minimum of 19 years old;
• Possess a valid driver license;
• Not convicted of any felony or any misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement;
• No dishonorable discharge from any of the United States Armed Forces;
• Be of good moral character; and
• Have passed a physical examination by a licensed medical specialist, approved in Rule 11B-27.002(1)(d), F.A.C.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION:

1. Florida Correctional Officer currently in a Cross-Training Corrections to Law Enforcement training. Applicants meeting this requirement will be considered but will not be processed until the applicant has successfully completed the Cross-Training Corrections to Law Enforcement training and successfully passed the State of Florida Law Enforcement Officer examination by the closing date of this requisition.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles of correct grammar usage;
• Skill in operating motor vehicles;
• Ability to understand and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures;
• Ability to work in dangerous and stressful situations;
• Ability to interact with individuals and critical situations in an effective manner;
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments;
• Ability to collect and evaluate data;
• Ability to probe and obtain critical facts;
• Ability to describe facts and events accurately;
• Ability to prepare reports;
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; and
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

BASE SALARY:

• Sponsorship applicants - starting salary will be 10 percent below the FDLE minimum of the class pay range, unless otherwise dictated by FDLE's pay policy.  Once a trainee has successfully completed the State of Florida Law Enforcement Officer Academy and successfully passed the State of Florida Law Enforcement Officer Certification Examination, salary will be increased to the FDLE minimum of the class pay range or increased according to FDLE's pay policy. Salary will be dependent upon current position class and will follow Pay Policy Guidelines.

HOW YOU WILL GROW:

FDLE recognizes the importance of growth and success while fostering a family-oriented work environment. We encourage our members to seek opportunities for professional growth through training, team building, and mentoring. Our four Fundamental Values of Service, Integrity, Respect and Quality will guide you as you embark on a lifelong career at FDLE.

OUR SALARY & BENEFITS:

Starting salary will be the minimum of the class pay range, unless otherwise dictated by FDLE's pay policy. FDLE is a State of Florida Employer and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave;
• HMO and PPO health insurance options with premiums starting as low as $50 per month;
• $25,000 in automatic life insurance coverage;
• Multiple supplemental insurance options including dental, vision, disability and more;
• Pension and investment retirement plan options;
• Tax deferred medical and childcare reimbursement accounts; and
• State of Florida Tuition Waiver Program.

SWORN SALARY INCENTIVES:

Criminal Justice Incentive Pay (CJIP) is a salary incentive which pays up to $130.00 per month (based on college degrees and completion of salary incentive courses); and $500.00 annual uniform allowance. A sealed certified copy of your transcript(s) is needed to verify your eligibility for the CJIP Salary Incentive.

ABOUT OUR AGENCY:

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) employs more than 1,900 members statewide - either at headquarters in Tallahassee or in one of seven regional operations centers (ROCs). Services are delivered by five key areas: Executive Direction and Business Support; Investigations and Forensic Science; Florida Capitol Police; Criminal Justice Information Services; and Criminal Justice Professionalism. Click here for additional information about FDLE.

ABOUT CAPITOL POLICE:

As state law enforcement officers, the mission of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Capitol Police is to serve the safety and security needs of both the legislative and executive branches of state government. Capitol Police serve as a specially trained and highly effective security and law enforcement agency serving the Capitol Complex and Capitol Circle Office Center (CCOC). It shall be the primary responsibility of the Capitol Police to protect the security of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the members of the Cabinet, and the members of the Senate and of the House of Representatives, and those employees assigned to assist such state officials in the performance of their official duties.          

The safety and security of the employees of the Capitol Complex and the Capital Circle Office Center is our priority.

HIRING PROCESS:

You will be evaluated for this job based on your previous knowledge and experience. Additional reviews may be performed to screen for preferred qualifications, experience, and education. Your qualifications will be based on knowledge, skills, and abilities and other elements relevant to this position supported by the information in your application. Qualifying questions will only be credited if verifiable by the information provided on your application including specifically required software/computer skills. You may be contacted to participate in a selection process which may consist of written exercises, work samples, skills tests, and interviews.  You may be notified by email to participate in a selection process. Failure to reply within a designated timeframe may exclude you from further consideration. Future vacancies may be filled from this position advertisement.

SWORN EMPLOYMENT PROCESS:

Components of the sworn hiring process include the following:

• Completion of Electronic Application Process;
• Oral Interview Board;
• Written Exercise;
• Physical Abilities Test;
• Completion and Submission of the FDLE Supplemental Application Packet;
• Comprehensive Background Investigation;
• Colonel Interview;
• Drug Screen;
• Electronic Fingerprint Submission; and
• Psychological Examination.

BACKGROUND:

FDLE requires an extensive background process of all recommended applicants. The elements of a background include a financial credit check, criminal history of applicant and applicant's immediate family or roommates, personal references, employment, and education verifications (which includes official transcript(s)), drug screen and fingerprinting.  This information will be utilized to make the final hiring decision.

NOTES:

• All applicants must reside or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of The Capitol Building at the time of employment;
• All applicants will be required to sign a two-year employment training reimbursement agreement. If the agreement is not satisfied, reimbursement for the cost of training will be required; and
• All applicants must be able to work shifts, including weekends and holidays.

 REMINDERS:

1. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.
2. If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be cancelled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The State of Florida hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.

If you have any questions about the hiring process, please send your inquiries to CapitolPoliceRecruitment@fdle.state.fl.us 

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.