LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYMENT
The City of Gulfport Police Department is a full service law
enforcement agency dedicated to providing quality service through
a community oriented policing philosophy.
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The selection of competent personnel for Police Officer positions is
essential to provide that service and the protection to which the public is
entitled. The City of Gulfport and the Police Department have established
eligibility and applicant standards and processes to ensure individuals of the
highest caliber are selected to serve the public as Gulfport Police Officers.
LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYMENT
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Salary and Benefits
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Equipment
Patrol officers are issued the following equipment:
- Uniforms--class A, class B, and tactical
- Personal body armor--NIJ level III or IIA
- Duty handgun--Sig Sauer P229 .40 S&W
- Backup/off-duty handgun--Smith & Wesson Airweight .38 revolver
- AR-15 .223 caliber patrol rifle
- Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun with slugs and less-lethal ammunition
- Taser X-26, ASP 26-inch expandable baton, OC chemical weapon
- Motorola 800 Mhz portable radio
Patrol vehicles are equipped with the following equipment:
- Overhead and deck-mounted LED lighting systems
- Digital video camera with audio
- Notebook PC with dispatch, database, and internet access
- 800 Mhz mobile radio and VHF backup radio
- Driver license scanner and citation printer
- RADAR and LIDAR speed measurement equipment
- Automated Electronic Defibrilator
Requirements
The City of Gulfport welcomes applicants interested in a challenging and rewarding career in the delivery of police services to the community. If you are interested in problem solving and can meet all of the following criteria, we are interested in you.
- Be a citizen of the United States
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Possess an Associates Degree or have completed a minimum of 60 college credit hours[*1]
- Possess a valid Florida driver license and have a good driving record
- Be in good physical condition
- Have no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, or have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States
- Be of good moral character as determined by reasonable investigative procedures
- Be Florida Certified in Law Enforcement[*2]
Applicant Screening Process
- Complete the Pinellas Public Safety Applicant Screening Service (PASS)[*3] process. Click here for more information on how to do this.
- Investigative Interview--a background investigator will review your application and PHQ form with you.
- Physical Abilities Test--we use the test approved by and conducted under FDLE guidelines.
- Oral Board--You will be interviewed and rated by a panel of three police supervisors.
- Skills assessment--Completed at the same time as the oral board, this exercise evaluates computer literacy, English composition, grammar and spelling.
- Background Investigation--We check former employers and schools, driving and criminal histories, and more. This investigation can take from three to eight weeks.
- Polygraph Examination--A certified polygraphist will ask questions regarding the content of your application, PHQ, and background investigation.
- Chief's Interview--The Chief of Police will meet you for an interview before a job offer is made.
- Psychological Examination--A licensed psychologist will evaluate your mental fitness for law enforcement duty.
- Physical Examination--A licensed physician will evaluate your physical fitness for law enforcement duty. This exam includes an 8-panel drug screen.
About the Agency
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Gulfport covers approximately 2.5 square miles located along the shores of Boca Ciega Bay. The city of St. Petersburg borders Gulfport to the north and east, and South Pasadena is our neighbor to the west. The 2000 population was listed as 12,527 persons representing 6246 households. The city government and the community routinely interact with, and are supportive of the police department. The result is a community oriented policing philosophy that provides service to the community in a manner not possible in larger agencies.
The Gulfport Police Department consists of 30 full-time sworn officers, and most of them are assigned to the Patrol Division. Although we are smaller than some of our neighboring agencies, that doesn't mean we are slow. In 2007, our officers handled 33,144 calls for service, or about 1,840 per patrol officer. This per-officer rate is among the highest in the region, yet many of those calls were initiated by the officers.
Officers and detectives of the Gulfport Police Department have the opportunities to participate in nearly every aspect of law enforcement operations. In addition to (or as a part of) their normal duties, our officers and detectives also perform special operations, such as decoys or stings, biycle and marine patrol, and tactical operations. They also conduct extensive investigation of serious offenses such as homicides, sexual batteries and robberies. Please don't be discouraged by our lack of specialty units; we do all the things that larger agencies do. The only difference is that here, those jobs belong to all of our patrol officers and detectives.
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Accreditation
The Gulfport Police Department has been awarded accreditation by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation. Undergoing a voluntary review by the CFLEA provides a "quality assurance review" and encourages efficient and effective daily operations. Chief Willocks has noted "By choosing to participate in the formal and thorough peer review by the commission, the Gulfport Police Department can document to the citizens of Florida that it adheres to high standards of professionalism and is among the finest in the state".
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A ride-along program is available for interested applicants who complete the necessary paperwork. Rides-along are scheduled at the discretion of the patrol commander, consistent with patrol resources and normal operations.
The city is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or other non-merit factors.
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For further Information:
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Municipal Complex - Police Department
2401 53rd Street South
Gulfport, Florida 33707
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[*1] A waiver may be made for an exceptional candidate who has completed a full military enlistment or can bring significant law enforcement or related knowledge, skills and abilities to the agency. Such a waiver must be specifically requested in writing and must include supporting documentation.
[*2] Providing funding is available, the department may sponsor a candidate through the local academy; however, employment is contingent upon successful completion of the academy, completion of the state certification examination, and other criteria including a four-year employment contract. Applicants who are interested in this option should meet or exceed the criteria in footnote #1, above.
[*3] A waiver of the PASS process may also be requested for those reasons cited in footnote 1.
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