036 - QUALIFICATIONS FOR POLICE OFFICERS

QUALIFICATIONS FOR POLICE OFFICERS EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/01/96 STANDARD NO. 036 REVISED: 03/09/18 REPLACES: SOP Qualifications for Police Officer 17-01.1-9 – Rev. 01/01/03; Rev. 02/03/12 OBJECTIVE: To provide uniform standards and procedures for employee selection to ensure that the most qualified person is employed. POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department (HPD) to establish guidelines and minimum standards for individuals that apply for police officer or reserve police officer. SCOPE: All employees of this Department shall be governed by the procedures set forth below. I. POLICE OFFICER MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS: A. Florida Statutes, Chapter 943.13, specifies that any person employed or appointed as a police officer shall: 1. Be at least 19 years of age. 2. Be a citizen of the United States prior to employment. 3. Be a high school graduate or its equivalent as may be determined by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. An out-of-state GED must have an aggregate score of 225 on all five (5) sections of the test with no single score below 40. 4. Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, or have received a dishonorable or undesirable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere, to or is found guilty of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement is not eligible for employment or appointment as a police officer; notwithstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication. 5. Have his or her processed fingerprints on file with the Department. If administrative delays are caused by the Department or the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the person has complied with items one through four above, and six through nine below, he or she may be employed or appointed for a period not to exceed one (1) calendar year from the date he or she was employed or appointed as a police officer or until the return of the processed fingerprints documenting noncompliance with items one through four or item seven; whichever occurs first. 6. Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician based on specifications established by the Division of Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. Qualifications for Police Officer – SOP# 036 7. Have a good moral character as determined by a background investigation under procedures established by the Division of Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. 8. Execute and submit to the Department an affidavit-of-applicant form, adopted by the Commission, attesting to his or her compliance with items one through seven. The affidavit shall be executed under oath and constitutes an official statement within the purview of Florida Statutes, Chapter 837.06. The affidavit shall include conspicuous language that the intentional false execution of the affidavit constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree. 9. Complete a course of basic recruit training established by the Commission in accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapter 943.17(1)(a) or be exempt under Chapter 943.131(2) or item ten of this section. 10. Be authorized to satisfy the requirements of item nine (9) by taking and passing the examination established pursuant to Chapter 943.17(1)(e) upon the recommendation of the Department and when he or she is in compliance with items one through eight and has had prior training or experience as a police officer. 11. Comply with the continuing training or education requirements of Chapter 943.135. B. Departmental requirements necessary for meeting qualifications include, but are not limited to, passing the medical examination, psychological testing, and background investigation. 1. Physical condition: Applicants shall be in good physical condition with weight in proportion to height, and the ability to satisfactorily perform the physical duties required of a police officer. 2. Psychological screening: Applicants will be required to undergo a psychological screening process, which evaluates their suitability to perform as a police officer.