Deputy Sheriff - Recruit (Sponsorship) Michelle's Testing Scoring Plan

Candidates with high qualifications may apply to a limited number of paid sponsorships to a law enforcement academy. The ideal candidate possesses related work experience, college, and/or military experience. A strong candidate has favorable work history, driving history, credit ratings, and a low incident rate of substance abuse.
 

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years of accredited college (60 credit hours); OR Two years of active military duty or four continuous years of reserve/guard duty; OR Two years of full-time law enforcement or related experience (e.g., corrections, emergency communications, fire/rescue, security); OR A combination of the above.
• High school or GED diploma (will not accept a certificate of completion)
• At least 20 years of age
• U.S. Citizen
• Valid drivers license for the last year and have no more than two moving violations over the past three years. Other driving history will be evaluated on a case by case basis
• No DUI convictions for the past 5 years. Other driving history will be evaluated on a case by case basis
• Must not have been convicted of a felony
• Must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral character, false statements, perjury or domestic violence
• Must not have received a dishonorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces
• No illegal drug usage over the past three years. Other drug usage will be evaluated on a case by case basis
• Good physical condition
• Vision of 20/40 corrected or better
• Applicants with body ornamentation (tattoos) shall not have any visible body ornamentation on the head, face, and neck area, which includes the visible skin while wearing a collared uniform shirt with an unbuttoned top button.  Employees shall not have any visible body ornamentation located on the hands which is defined as the area from wrist to fingertips; however, a tattoo simulating a wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand will not be considered excessive as described herein.  Applicants are encouraged to read the agency body ornamentation policy before applying.

Processing

All candidates participate in a thorough hiring process, to ensure everyone hired meets our strict standards.
 
All candidates for sponsorship positions will participate in the following steps:

• Online application
• Physical Assessment Test - View Details of Fitness Standards
• Voice Stress Analysis (truth verification)
• Panel Interview
• Ride-along with a deputy may be required
• Swim Test
• Complete Background Check
• Medical exam & drug screen (after conditional job offer)
• Psychological Evaluation (after conditional job offer)

 
Once selected for processing, candidates for academy sponsorship must take the Basic Abilities Test (BAT) available at any law enforcement academy in the State of Florida.
 
Processing time on average is 4-6 months.
 
Deputy Sheriffs are responsible for the protection of life and property and the enforcement of laws and regulations. This work involves an element of personal danger and frequent contact with the public during routine and emergency situations.

Training

Recruits hired for sponsorship to the law enforcement academy attend the award winning program at the Valencia Criminal Justice Institute.  This 20-week course is one of the most challenging in the State, both academically and physically. 

Academy graduates are sworn-in as deputy sheriffs and begin Basic Recruit Training (BRT).  This extensive 9-week program covers all high liability areas, including driving, shooting, defensive tactics, and agency policies and procedures.  After successfully completing Basic Recruit Training, new deputies will complete an additional 14 weeks in the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP).  This one-on-one training with a certified Field Training Officer ensures that all new deputies are fully prepared to be a solo deputy.  

Physical Requirements

• Cardiovascular strength and stamina including the ability to chase subjects on foot through various terrains (i.e. up/down stairs, around buildings, on city streets, through or in between natural barriers such as water, trees, bushes, etc., or a combination of these, etc.)
• Must be able to engage in violent and physical confrontations including physical fighting with subjects and/or re-directing them to the ground.
• Must be able to physically secure a resisting subject with the appropriate restraints after a physical confrontation.
• Visual depth, distance, and color perception, night and peripheral vision.
• Must be able to meet the agency's hearing standard established by the agency's Occupational Medical Physicians.
• Must meet visual requirements of at least correctable to 20/40 in each eye.
• Communicate verbally in English with ability to enunciate.
• Must be able to use both hands simultaneously and have manual and finger dexterity.
• Flexibility of upper body and limbs and ability to reach with hands and arms.
• Strength in upper and lower body, legs, back, arms, and hands.
• Must be able to wear a utility equipment belt capable of carrying multiple pieces of required equipment for extended periods of time (on average, weighing approximately 20 pounds).
• Coordination in legs, arms, hands, eye-hand; steadiness of hand/arm.
• Physical speed; quick reflexes; balance/equilibrium; able to stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to run, jump, climb, walk, sit, swim, bend/lean over, twist/turn, and maneuver into and out of small spaces and vehicles. Ability to stoop,  kneel, crouch, and crawl.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and appropriately.
• Ability to coordinate rhythm of compression and breaths during CPR.
• Ability to accept acute pain