Law Enforcement Deputy Trainee

Job Description Summary

The training consists of an academy orientation, an academy, and post-academy training. The Sheriff's Office provides all books, materials, and uniforms (excluding footwear). Those selected for hire will receive pay and full benefits during the training period. After this training is completed, the recruit is sworn in and their salary increases to the salary of a certified Law Enforcement Deputy.

Job Description

Duties & Responsibilities

Note: Depending on assigned responsibilities, employees may perform some or all of the duties below.

Note for Trainees: Trainees are expected to learn the following duties while in a trainee status.

• Patrol assigned areas to detect and monitor possible criminal activity and interrogate suspicious persons.

• Respond to emergency calls to provide assistance.

• Investigate incidents for civil or criminal law violations.

• Apprehend and arrest suspected law violators to ensure public safety.

• Prepare and preserve evidence in accordance with directives to maintain chain of custody.

• Testify in court to provide an accurate account of investigation findings.

• Control activities at traffic accident scenes by assisting victims or maintaining traffic flow.

• Enforce traffic laws by observing violations and issuing citations.

• Provide information and assistance to the public.

• Prepare and submit daily activity reports in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOP) and directives.

• Transport prisoners to court, medical, or prison facilities.

• Maintain patrol car, weapons, and other law enforcement equipment to insure operational readiness.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal laws pertinent to law enforcement.

• Working knowledge of law enforcement guidelines and criminal investigation methods and techniques.

• Working knowledge of traffic accident control measures and investigation methods and techniques.

• Working knowledge of court procedures.

• Skill in the use and care of firearms and other law enforcement related equipment.

• Skill in administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.

• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

• Ability to act quickly and correctly in emergencies.

• Ability to pay close attention to detail.

• Ability to enforce the law courteously, tactfully, firmly, and impartially.

• Ability to handle confidential information.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to use a computer and related software.

• Ability to meet specific physical requirements as may be established by competent authority.

Working Conditions

• Working within an office environment within a law enforcement agency, courthouse/court complex, and/or corrections facility.

• Working outdoors in a subtropical climate in potential adverse weather conditions.

• Remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time at a scene, event, or workstation.

• May be required to engage in heavy physical exertion (e.g., lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of heavy weight from 160 to 180 pounds).

• May be required to work non-standard hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Required to wear a Sheriff’s Office provided uniform.

Minimum Education & Experience

• A high school diploma or possession of a GED certificate. ​

Additionally, the following are required:

• 21 years of age or older.

• United States citizen.

• Of good moral character.

• Six months tobacco/nicotine free at time of application.

• Live within Hillsborough County or within Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Lake, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, or Sumter County as long as the residence is located within the 60-mile parameter of Falkenburg Road Jail at the time of appointment/employment.

Required Pre-Employment Testing

• Successful completion of pre-employment testing including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Law Enforcement Basic Abilities Test (LE BAT).

Important Note on the LE BAT (also known as FBAT or CJBAT):

As of July 1, 2022, section 943.​17(1)(g) states that any candidate wishing to enter a law enforcement academy that either

• (i) is a veteran as classified in section 1.​01(14), F.​S.​,

OR

• (ii) holds an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university

is not required to take the LE BAT. Please note that veteran is defined as being honorably discharged from military service. No other discharge classifications qualify.

Additional Job Requirements

• Attendance at the specified Sheriff's Office work location is required.

• Depending on assignment, employees may be required to possess a valid Florida Driver License at time of employment. Driving history will be thoroughly reviewed and may be grounds for disqualification.

• No visible tattoos on face, head, and neck. Tattoos determined to take away from the professional appearance of the Sheriff’s Office must be covered with an appropriate white, black, or neutral covering.

• No illegal drug sale within lifetime.

• No illegal drug use within the past 36 months. No marijuana use within the last 12 months.

• No felony convictions within lifetime.

• No misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statement, or domestic violence within lifetime.

• No dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserve Forces.

• Successful completion of a background investigation including criminal, reference, employment, and neighborhood checks; polygraph; medical evaluation; and drug screening.

The duties and responsibilities on this job description represent the essential functions that an employee must be able to satisfactorily perform with or without reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodations shall be made upon request to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue agency hardship. The Sheriff’s Office retains the right to change or assign other duties to this job as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• An associate’s degree or equivalent (60 semester or 90 quarter hours of study) from an accredited institution of higher education

OR

• Three years of US military duty, active or reserve.