Police Officer Requirements - Florida
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Minimum Requirements to be a Police Officer in Florida
Published: August 18, 2024
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To become a police officer in Florida, candidates must meet a series of minimum qualifications and requirements.
Minimum Qualifications
- Be at least 19 years of age to be a law enforcement officer.
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Have earned a high school graduate or equivalent (GED). (A bachelor’s degree is required for correctional probation officers).
- Have not been convicted of any felony or of any misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement. 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, shall not be eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, notwithstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication.
- Have not received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.
- Have good moral character as determined by a background investigation.
- Have been fingerprinted by the employing agency with prints processed by the FDLE and the FBI.
- Successfully passed a background investigation, to include drug testing.
- Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or certified advanced registered nurse practitioner.
- Completed an Affidavit of Applicant form CJSTC-68.
Do Your Research
While state-level qualifications set the baseline for becoming a police officer, individual police agencies often implement stricter hiring standards to align with their specific needs and values.
These enhanced criteria can include regulations on tattoos, facial hair, background checks, and more.
Additionally, agencies might conduct more rigorous background checks than the state requires, diving deeper into an applicant’s history, including financial records, social media activity, and past behavior, to ensure candidates meet the department's ethical and professional standards.
Be sure to conduct more research into the requirements, qualifications, and disqualifications for specific agencies so that you are well prepared before entering their hiring process.
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Disclaimer
The requirements and qualifications for becoming a police officer may be subject to change due to updates in state legislation and public safety laws.
We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information; however, we recommend verifying with the relevant state or local law enforcement authorities to ensure compliance with the current standards and requirements.
