Qualifications, Minimum Training & Experience

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to qualify for employment as a Tallahassee Police Officer: 

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• At the time of hire, be at least 20 years old and live within a 50-mile radius of the intersection of N. Monroe Street and E. Tennessee Street, Tallahassee, Fl.
• Have completed a Law Enforcement Officer certification course and passed the Florida State Officer Certification Exam. If requesting sponsorship to an academy, please visit TPD's Officer Trainee page.
• Possess a valid driver license and have a satisfactory driving history.
• Have vision correctable to 20/20, with color distinction and depth perception within an acceptable range.
• Successful completion of 45 quarter hours or 30 semester hours of college; or one year full-time law enforcement work in a sworn capacity; or one year active full-time military experience or active reserve military experience with at least one year of deployment; or one year full-time as a correctional officer; or one year as a full-time certified firefighter or emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic; or one year as a full-time communications operator/dispatcher with a public safety agency; or one year as a Community Service Technician with the Tallahassee Police Department.
• Have no convictions for any felony, perjury, false statement, or domestic violence offense. Have no DUI convictions in the past seven years. Other arrest histories are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Have no pending criminal charges.
• No use of marijuana within 1 year of application. No use of any other drugs (including anabolic steroids) within 5 years of application. No sale, distribution, manufacture, or transportation of any illegal drugs (as defined by F.S. 893.03). No use of prescription medication or other legally obtainable substance in a manner for which it was not intended within 3 years of application.
• Be able to pass a thorough background investigation.
• Submit a Written Essay, Oral Board, Truth Verification Exam, and Drug, Medical, and Psychological screenings.

During the hiring process, all applicants must complete a minimum of two Patrol ride-alongs

Compensation, Schedule, & Job Description

Annual Salary Range: $62,000 - $100,000.

• Lateral Hire Program
• G.I. Benefits/ Public Safety Officer On-the-Job Training Program
  Military Veterans Preference Law Section 295.085 F.S.

Work Schedule: Patrol officers typically work four, ten-hour days and have three days off.

Download Job Description (PDF)

Benefits

• Competitive Salary (annual increases per PBA contract)
• Salary Enhancements:
• State educational incentive: up to $130/mo. ($1560/yr.)
• Physical Fitness: up to $45/mo. ($540/yr.)
• MGIB for military veterans and members of military reserves/National Guard during Academy and throughout probationary year
• Lateral Pay Plan for prior experience
• Take-home vehicle program within a 50-mile radius
• Weapons, equipment, uniforms, soft body armor and shoes are provided
• Free uniform cleaning
• Tuition assistance for college courses ($150.00 reimbursement/class)
• Group dental, medical and life insurance plans
• Contribution to 401K/457 pension enhancement (subject to IRS rules [CY-2008 - $15,500/yr. + $5,000 catch-up for previous year])
• City Retirement: vested after five years; may retire with full benefits following 25 years service or at age 55 with at least five years service
• 1-20 years 3% accrual and 20-25 years 4% accrual (additional 3 months is what gets them to 81%) So, 25 years and 3 months will equal 81%. The max accrual is 81%
• Five-year D.R.O.P. (Deferred Retirement Option Plan) after you have reached normal retirement
• Medical Insurance supplement ($5/yr. of service; max = $150/mo.)
• At retirement: payment for all personal leave and compensatory time at base rate of pay; payment for one-third of accrued sick leave, up to a maximum of 700 hours; medical insurance supplement.

How to Apply to be a Police Officer

Thank you for considering joining the Tallahassee Police Department. Before continuing with the TPD Online application process, please review Job Application Instructions (PDF) and download and complete the documents below.

Forms to be downloaded, completed, and attached to your TPD Online Job Application

The following document should be downloaded, completed and saved to your computer desktop. Then attached to your TPD Online Job Application when submitted for consideration for employment.

• TPD Personal History Statement (Word Document)

Additional Required Documentation

Mail, or hand deliver, the following documents to the Employee Resources Office, Tallahassee Police Department, 234 East Seventh Avenue, Tallahassee, Florida 32303.

1. Birth certificate – an official copy from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the state of your birth.
2. Social Security Card – a photocopy of your card.
3. Driver license – a photocopy of your current driver license (front and back if renewal information is located on the back).
4. Driver's record – a recent copy of your 7-year driving history from every state (except Florida) in which you have ever held a valid driver license.
5. Official College Transcript reflecting the DEGREE EARNED, or the minimum required hours (45 quarter or 30 semester with a grade of "C" or above in each course) from an accredited college or university. Official transcripts may be sent directly from the institution or may be included with your application in a tamper evident envelope that was sealed by the institution (if applicable).
6. A copy of Florida law enforcement academy Completion Certificate. If you are currently attending the academy, a copy of the diploma must be submitted upon graduation (if applicable).
7. Copy of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Form CJSTC 516 indicating that you have PASSED the State Officer Certification Examination (if applicable).
8. Proof of name change (if applicable).
9. U.S. Military Record – DD214 (Member 4 Copy) reflecting character of service/type of separation for each tour of duty (if applicable).
10. All male applicants under age 27 must submit a copy of their Selective Service Registration or Exemption card.
11. Naturalization Papers (if applicable) Federal law prohibits copying of naturalization papers. The actual papers must be presented at the time of application.

The above listed documents need to be submitted within two weeks of application date.