Florida Basic Recruit Training Program Law Enforcement Volume 1 Book

There are three ways one can become a certified Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Florida: Complete a basic recruit training program for Law Enforcement Officers. Be certified in the State of Florida as a Correctional Officer and Complete a Crossover program from Corrections to Law Enforcement. Final is composed of 200 questions from the Florida Basic Recruit Training Program texts: Law Enforcement Vol. 2008.4 & High Liability Vol. So far, said McDonald, two former Green Berets and a former SEAL have completed the Basic Recruit Training Program. The inaugural class is a little more than halfway done, said McDonald, with the. The FDLE Criminal Justice Professionalism Program annually prints three textbooks, referred to as Florida BRT Curriculum Law Enforcement, High Liability, and Corrections. The text books have been designed for the Florida criminal justice officer basic recruit classroom training and as a study guide for the mandated State Officer Certification.

Exemption from Training (EFT)

(Formerly Known as EOT) for: Out-of-State Officers, Federal Officers, and Inactive Florida Officers

WHAT IS AN Exemption from Training (EFT)?

An EFT (formerly called an EOT or Equivalency of Training) is a process that allows an officer to be exempt from having to complete the full basic recruit academy.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR AN EFT?

You may be eligible to apply for an EFT from the full basic recruit training requirements if you were a certified in another state or as a Federal (including military) Law Enforcement, Corrections, or Probation Officer. You may also be eligible if you were previously certified in FL but your certification is now inactive.

You must meet the following requirements if you’re an Out-of-State or a Federal (including military): Law Enforcement, Corrections or Probation Officer:

  • You worked at least one year, full-time as a sworn officer in the discipline you are seeking exemption;
  • You received training in that discipline which is comparable to Florida's full basic recruit curriculum and/or;
  • Must still be eligible for certification in your original state or as a federal officer. Revoked certifications are automatically disqualifying..

For prior Florida certified officer, there can be no more than an 8 year break in employment as an officer. The break in employment is measured from the separation date of the most recent qualifying employment to the time a complete application requesting an exemption from training is submitted to a Criminal Justice Selection Center or criminal justice employing agency.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR Applying for and COMPLETING AN EFT?

INFORMATION OF THE EFT PROCESS FOR AN INACTIVE (FORMER) FLORIDA OFFICER:

In order for a law enforcement, correctional or correctional probation officers in Florida, or a former Florida Officer with more than four years break in service, to obtain certification as an officer in Florida without first attending a full basic recruit academy in Florida, they must (1) Successfully Complete an EFT Assessment showing sufficient basic training and sworn employment not ending more than 8 years ago, and; (2) Demonstrate proficiency in certain high-liability physical skills (defensive tactics, firearms, medical first responder, and for law enforcement officers only – emergency vehicle operations) at a Florida Criminal Justice Training Academy; and (3) Pass the Florida State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE).

If you are an inactive Florida Officer and want to initiate an EFT, review/complete the hyperlinked documents listed below. These documents will guide you through the EFT process.

If you are granted an exemption from basic recruit training through the Police Applicant Screening Service, you will need to complete the required proficiency course and achieve a passing score on the SOCE within one year of receiving your exemption.

INFORMATION ON THE EFT PROCESS FOR OUT-OF-STATE OR FEDERAL OFFICER (TO INCLUDE MILITARy):

In order for a law enforcement, correctional or correctional probation officer in another state, or a Federal Officer (to include Military) to obtain certification as an Officer in Florida without first attending a full basic recruit academy in Florida, they must: (1) Successfully Complete an EFT Assessment showing that they attended sufficient basic training and were employed full time as an officer for at least 1 year in a job that ended no more than 8 years ago, and; (2) Demonstrate proficiency in certain high-liability physical skills (defensive tactics, firearms, medical first responder, and for law enforcement officers only - driving) at a Florida Criminal Justice Training Academy; and (3) Pass the Florida State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE).

If you are an Out-of-State Officer or Federal Officer (to include Military) and want to initiate an EFT, review/complete the hyperlinked documents listed below. These documents will guide you through the EFT process.

If you are granted an exemption from basic recruit training through the Police Applicant Screening Service, you will need to complete the required proficiency course and achieve a passing score on the SOCE within one year of receiving your exemption.

FOR QUESTIONS OR ASSISTANCE IN COMPLETING THE EFT PROCESS, CONTACT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SELECTION CENTER AT:

Stephanie Driskill – Coordinator, Criminal Justice Selection Center

Phone: 850.769.1551 ext. 5608
Fax: 850.767.8072
Email: sdriskill@gulfcoast.edu

David Thomasee – Criminal Justice Selection Center Manager

Phone: 850.873.3582
Fax: 850.767.8072
email:dthomasee@gulfcoast.edu

GULF COAST STATE COLLEGE OFFERS the EFT PROFICIENCY COURSES:

WHEN ARE THE PROFICIENCY COURSES OFFERED?

The Division of Public Safety offers forty (40) week day and weekend courses. The weekday courses consist of four ten hour days. The weekend courses are offered over two weekends. The times vary for each course.

The Division of Public Safety offers the proficiency courses at various times throughout the year. A copy of the schedule will be provided with your completed EFT Application. For more information, contact:

Greg May

Phone: 850.769.1551 Ext 3208 or 850-527-4227
Fax: 850.767.8072
email:gmay@gulfcoast.edu

Note: After completion of proficiency course it will be 3-5 business days before you will be eligible to take the SOCE.

State officer Certification Exam offered at Gulf Coast State College:

The SOCE is only available through Pearson VUE testing. Gulf Coast State College’s testing center is approved test site that offers the SOCE, but you must register and pay through the Pearson Vue site at: https://home.pearsonvue.com/test-taker.aspx . Test dates, cost, and availability information is provided by Pearson VUE and is only accessible once you’ve completed the EFT process and your records have been updated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Note: The registration and payment deadline for each test shall be at least eight days prior to the testing date.

The Sunshine State offers a multitude of advantages for its 20.2 million residents, including great weather and good communities.1 Residents in Florida are served and protected by the estimated 38,770 police officers working in the state.2 The state-level requirements for becoming a Florida cop are similar to other states. However, individual agencies may have additional requirements on top of the state’s recommended standards. For example, many agencies require new recruits to have an associate degree, while the state educational minimum is a high school diploma or GED certificate. On this page, you’ll find out more about Florida’s requirements for law enforcement training as well as more information on the top police departments in the state.

Florida Police Officer Requirements

The Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission (CJSTC), housed under the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, oversees the training procedures and certification of police officers in the state. The CJSTC requires that candidates for law enforcement positions in the state:

  • Be a US citizen, by birth or naturalization
  • Be at least 19 years old
  • Be a high school graduate or hold a GED certificate
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree (if looking to work as a correctional probation officer)
  • Complete a background investigation based on fingerprints
  • Not have any felony convictions nor disqualifying misdemeanors
  • Have an honorable discharge, if a military veteran
“Of the many professions and jobs that you could choose, there are few that can be as fulfilling as ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and harmony of your community. No two days are the same and you will share an equal amount of smiles as you will tears. Law enforcement is not for everyone and is a career that cannot be entered into lightly. If it is your calling to help those who cannot help themselves and seek nothing in return, this can be the lifelong career you have been looking for.” -The Kissimmee Police Department.

Required Examinations

Applicants who meet the basic qualifications must pass a number of exams, including a physical examination and a Commission-approved Basic Abilities Test (BAT). Applicants must also complete a formal interview with the hiring department.

Recruits must complete the Florida Basic Recruit Training Program or Cross Over Training Program for their respective discipline. Training must be completed at a CJSTC-approved academy. Once the training is complete, applicants have three attempts to achieve a passing score on the State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE). Once a candidate has completed the required training and passed the examination, they are eligible to be sworn in as Florida police officers.

In Florida, it is possible (and in some departments, required) to complete basic police academy training at the applicant’s own expense prior to becoming hired by a police department. Individuals who have completed the required basic recruit training and passed the State Officer Certification Examination have four years from the start date of their Basic Recruit Training Program to become employed as an officer in Florida.

“During the background investigation stage be very honest about your background with the investigator and [do] not withhold information. Often times applicants who would otherwise be eligible for hiring disqualify themselves by withholding information.” – Steve Casey, Executive Director of the Florida Sheriff’s Association

Florida Trooper or Highway Patrol Requirements

The Florida State Patrol operates under the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Currently, Colonel Gene Spaulding is the FHP Director. The Florida Highway Patrol has an authorized force of 1,946 sworn and 529 non-sworn employees.3 To become a state patrol officer in Florida, candidates must meet state requirements and:

  • Not have a history of repeated traffic violations
  • Not be more than 20 pounds over recommended weight (at the discretion of the medical examiner)
  • Be willing to relocate to any duty station in Florida

The Florida trooper educational requirements state that all candidates must hold a high school diploma. However, candidates who hold an associate degree or higher are often given employment preference. The FHP also awards preference to military veterans.

Entry-level Florida state troopers earn a starting salary of $38,034 per year, with adjustments for higher cost of living area assignments.3 Troopers are eligible to apply for promotion after five years of service.

Florida Sheriff Deputy Requirements

Florida has 66 sheriffs, one for each of the state’s counties, except for Miami-Dade County, which has a countywide combined police and sheriff’s department.* In Florida, sheriffs serve four-year terms. Requirements to become a sheriff’s deputy in Florida can vary from county to county. The generally held requirements are that candidates must:

  • Be at least 18 to work as a deputy
  • Be a US citizen
  • Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
  • Possess a valid Florida driver’s license
  • Pass a background investigation
  • Pass the vision, medical, psychological, and fitness evaluations and a polygraph test

*In a 2018 referendum, the state constitution was changed to require Miami-Dade County to reinstate the office and elect a sheriff in 2024.

“Do your research on the different agencies you may be interested in working for to see which one best suits your goals and aspirations. Above the common information regarding benefits, pension, and pay, consider researching the agency’s options for promotional opportunities, type of equipment they provide, what specialized entities within the organization are available in the future, and how often those positions become available, is there a patrol vehicle take-home policy in place, and what sort of in-house training is conducted and offered by the department throughout the year. Most often, this information is overlooked. Answers to these questions can help a potential new hire decipher between agencies which can and will provide a better quality of life for the individual seeking employment.” – Lou Marino, Lieutenant-Training, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office

Broward County

The Broward County Sheriff’s Office is the largest sheriff’s office in the US, with 5,500 sworn and non-sworn employees and an annual budget of $730 million.4 The office provides law enforcement and fire rescue emergency services across Broward County. To become a Broward County sheriff’s deputy, candidates must meet state requirements and:

  • Pass the Florida Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test, swimming test, and basic motor skills test (must be done prior to application)
  • Possess a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) certificate at the time of application
  • Provide a full and complete Department of Motor Vehicles driving history for each state of residence in the past 10 years

Palm Peach County

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) has 1,584 sworn law enforcement officers, 697 sworn corrections officers, and 1,905 civilian support staff.5 Over 1.4 million people live within the county’s borders, which encompass 2,383 square miles and 45 miles of ocean shoreline.5 Prospective sheriff’s deputies must fulfill state requirements and must also:

  • Provide in-depth documentation including birth certificate; naturalization records; an original social security card; a full driving history; any court documentation pertinent to marital status and changes; college transcripts; military history; or records of name changes
  • Provide proof of auto insurance meeting or exceeding state minimum coverage
  • Not have any at-fault driving incidents within the past 12 months and no license suspensions within the past three years

Sheriff’s deputies in Broward County earn a monthly salary of $4,567, or $54,804 per year.5

Police Departments in Florida

Florida Basic Recruit Training Program Law Enforcement Volume 1 Book 1

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida has 38,770 police officers.2 Each city typically has its own primary police department. The largest police department in Florida is in Miami-Dade County.

Miami-Dade

The Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) is the largest police department in Florida, providing police and sheriff services with approximately 2,700 sworn officers and 1,400 support personnel to 2.7 million county residents.6 The current director of the department is Juan J. Perez. To become a police officer in Miami, applicants must meet state requirements and:

  • Hold an associate’s degree or 60 college credits; have two years of active military service; one year of full-time sworn law enforcement experience; or three years of full-time work experience post-high school
  • Pass the department’s Physical Abilities Test

Florida Basic Recruit Training Program Law Enforcement Volume 1 Book 2

Miami-Dade cops earn a starting annual salary of $52,380 per year.6 For more information on the Miami Police Department, take a look at our Miami police guide.

Florida Basic Recruit Training Program Law Enforcement Volume 1 Books

Tampa

The current chief of the Tampa Police Department (TPD) is Chief Brian Dugan. Approximately 951 sworn and 261 non-sworn employees work for the TPD.7 Tampa is one of the many cities that competitively recruit candidates with college degrees. In order to work as a Tampa police officer, candidates must meet state requirements and:

Florida Basic Recruit Training Program Law Enforcement Volume 1 Book List

Florida Basic Recruit Training Program Law Enforcement Volume 1 Book
  • Have an associate degree or completion of two years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter hours in total), or hold a high school diploma and have three years prior law enforcement experience or three years of military experience
  • Not have any visible tattoos or body modifications while in uniform
  • Be law-enforcement certified at the time of application, if not a military veteran (a small number of applicants may be sponsored by the department for training each year)

Orlando

The Orlando Police Department (OPD) depends on more than 700 active duty police officers to protect the approximately 240,000 citizens within its 110 square miles.8 To work as an Orlando police officer, candidates must satisfy state requirements and:

  • Have a valid driver’s license with at least one year of driving history
  • Have a good work history
  • Have no history of drug use within the past three years
  • Have vision correctable to 20/40
  • Live within 35 miles of the intersection of Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue, Orlando, 32801

While not required, a college degree is preferred. Officers with a four-year degree earn $960 to $1,560 more per year depending on longevity; the base starting salary for officers is $48,276 per year.8

Additional Police Departments in Florida

If you are interested in a police department other than Miami-Dade, Tampa, or Orlando, check out the Florida city page below.

Police Training Academies in Florida

All police candidates must attend an approved police training academy. Know that some Florida police departments require candidates to complete all or part of basic training at their own expense. For non-certified candidates, the program is 25 weeks. For those who already hold a Florida Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission Certificate, an eight-week transitional academy is typically available.

There are a number of accredited police academies in Florida, including:

  • Broward County Sheriff’s Office – Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Citrus County Public Safety Training Center – Inverness, FL
  • Criminal Justice Academy of Osceola – Kissimmee, FL
  • Florida Department of Law Enforcement – Tallahassee, FL
  • Miami Police Training Center – Miami, FL

See a complete list of Florida police training centers through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Florida Police Jobs Outlook

The future for law enforcement careers in Florida looks quite promising. Through 2026, police and sheriff’s patrol officer positions in Florida are expected to increase by 12.9%.9 There will be an estimated 3,270 average annual openings for law enforcement in Florida, including replacements.9 Many new officers will be needed to replace the high number of retiring baby boomer police officers in the coming years. Of course, local budgets also play a hand in the recruitment cycle of each police department.

For more information current law enforcement openings, take a look at our police jobs board.

“This is not a job. It is a profession. Jobs are tasks that you do where the outcome is miniscule and the benefit is even less. This profession gives you the ability to change someone’s life forever. This profession is not done because of self-gratification, money, or prestige; it is done for those that need a voice when they are not heard or a shield when they are not protected. This profession will constantly change on how you are to do your job but having the ability to be able to help someone will always remain the same.” -The Kissimmee Police Department.

Police and Sheriff Patrol Officer Salary in Florida

CityNumber EmployedAverage Annual Salary
Jacksonville2,760$51,610
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach13,440$71,380
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford4,300$54,180
Tallahassee840N/A
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater5,810$55,890

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2017.10

References:
1. Sperling’s Best Places, Florida: https://www.bestplaces.net/state/florida
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2017/may/oes333051.htm
3. Florida Highway Patrol: https://www.flhsmv.gov/florida-highway-patrol/about-fhp/
4. Broward County Sheriff’s Office: https://www.sheriff.org/Pages/Home.aspx
5. Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office: http://www.pbso.org/
6. Miami-Dade Police Department: https://www8.miamidade.gov/global/police/home.page
7. Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reports, Full-time Law Enforcement Employees: https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2016/crime-in-the-u.s.-2016/tables/table-26/table-26-state-cuts/table-26-florida.xls
8. Orlando Police Department: https://www.orlando.gov/Public-Safety/OPD/Apply-to-Become-an-Orlando-Police-Officer/
9. Projections Central: https://www.projectionscentral.com/projections/longterm
10. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2017 State and Occupational Employment and Wages Estimates, Florida: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_fl.htm