Police Officer (Certified)

Do you want to be a part of the team that makes the City of Palm Beach Gardens the signature place to live, learn, work and play? We provide world class services, parks, community centers, athletic fields, golf, tennis and pickleball, and public safety. This can only happen when the best, brightest, talented, and committed individuals work for our City. We encourage like-minded individuals to apply to join our culture of excellence as part of our team! Come join our family!

Summary

This position works an assigned shift, performing patrol and traffic enforcement. Responds to emergency and non-emergency radio calls. Detects, investigates and arrests persons involved in crimes. Performs law enforcement, crime prevention, and community-oriented policing activities. Work in this assignment includes use of discretion in deciding course of action in handling difficult and emergency situations without assistance.

Essential Function Duties and Responsibilities

• Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service
• Prepares a variety of reports and records including offense/incident reports and traffic crash reports
• Interviews victims, witnesses and suspects
• Arrests violators of the law and prepared cases for filing
• Enforces State and local laws and ordinances
• Obtains, collects and processes evidence
• Conducts preliminary and follow-up investigations
• Assists other officers in emergency/non-emergency situations
• Patrols City streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace
• Conducts traffic and parking enforcement
• Responds to calls of a criminal nature
• Conducts house and business checks
• Conducts computer inquiries of suspicious persons and all arrestees
• Testifies in court
• Apprehends individuals with necessary degree of force
• Responds to domestic disturbances and neighborhood disputes
• Provides information, assistance and counseling to the public
• Conducts field interview and initiates reports of suspicious person and incidents
• Maintains radio contact with communications
• Reports identifiable or potential hazards
• Reacts to on-view situations of a routine, emergency or criminal nature
• Renders aid and/or assistance to injured or stranded persons, etc
• Apprises immediate supervisors of any and all unusual hazards and/or activities and occurrences
• Communicates with supervisory personnel about the status of investigations and activities
• Secures crime scenes
• Conducts preliminary surveillance of suspected criminal activity
• Performs crowd and traffic control duties
• Attends daily shift briefings as required
• Maintains issued equipment including assigned vehicle (if applicable)Seeks supervisory approval on all work occurring after normal hours
• Attends in-service and other designated training classes
• Maintains uniform and all leather goods to specific standards
• Performs any other related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

• A citizen of the United States
• At least 19 years of age
• High School Diploma or equivalent, and
• Successful completion of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Physical Abilities Test (PAT) dated within 6 months prior to final offer of employment
• Florida Police Officer certification
• Must possess a valid State of Florida driver's license with clean driving record by the date of hire
• Must have no convictions of any felony or any misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement or domestic violence
• Must have no dishonorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States
• Must be of good moral character as determined by a background investigation

Eligibility: Coverage in the City’s group insurance plans begins the first of the month following thirty (30) days of employment.

Health Insurance: Choice of three (3) plans provided through Florida Blue. Employee contributions are required toward the cost of this insurance on a semi-monthly basis as follows:

Dental Insurance: PPO plan offered through Humana, provided at no cost

Life Insurance: Two (2) times annual salary up to a maximum of $100,000 provided at no cost.

Short Term Disability: Eligible for 60% of salary up to 26 weeks, provided at no cost.

Voluntary Long-Term Disability: 60% of salary up to $1,500 monthly, cost age based.

Employee Assistance Program: Six (6) visits per calendar year, per issue, provided at no cost.

Tutition Reumbursement - Police: $2,500/year from the Police Foundation

Wellness Program: Voluntary wellness initiatives that promote and reward health awareness.

Pension Plan: Certified law enforcement officers and firefighters are Pension Fund participants. Amount of retirement benefits is based on credited service and average final compensation.

Holidays: Eleven (11) days per calendar year. One (1) Floating Holiday per calendar year.

Personal Leave: Accrued monthly used for vacation, illness, or personal days.
Monthly accrual: Police (16) hours; Firefighters (15.4) hours
Personal Leave is tiered based on years of service and increases overtime.

Optional Voluntary Benefits: Vision Care Insurance Plan, Supplemental Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, AFLAC Group Policies, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, Roth IRA, Recreation Program Discounts, Day Care Discounts, Free EV Charging Station, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer under the U.S. Department of Education’s PSLF Program.