USF Police Department - Position Description

Law Enforcement Officer

The University of South Florida Police Department serves a community of 37,000 students, faculty and staff.  All University Police Officers are certified by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and are responsible for providing the full range of public safety/police services to the University community.  If you want to become part of a progressive law enforcement agency, read further!

• Conducts investigations into complaints and violations of Federal, State and Local Laws, and University policies. Interviews witnesses and victims, interrogates suspects, apprehends, arrest and process criminal violators, searches for, locates, and previews evidence; appears as affiant in legal and/or administrative processes. Identifies and analyzes problems and develops responses and solutions to resolve such problems. Expresses ideas and communicates information to citizens and colleagues. Takes formal statements and confessions. Demonstrates proper officers safety techniques. Successfully works with others. Uses equipment appropriately. Operates weapons and equipment properly. Responsible for actively participating in all phases of Community Oriented Policing, including individual or team projects. Follows departmental policy, mission, values, and goals.
• Monitors problem traffic areas and initiates corrective action. Maximizes crime deterrence through conspicuous aggressive and focused patrol of grounds and facilities. Patrol will be conducted on foot, in a mobile capacity, or through the use of special purpose vehicles as assigned. Composes reports, using appropriate forms, when documenting crimes, incidents, and activity. Operates weapons properly and qualifies at the range. Properly uses less than lethal weapons. Utilizes the radio and MDT in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
• Reduces theft or damage of state and university property by providing continuing security and safety analysis of facilities and making written recommendations for improvement. Reports observations with regard to environmental health, safety, and fire code hazards/violations.
• Testifies in a concise and accurate manner. Files cases in the proper manner. Conveys verbal information / instructions / directives / commands. Demonstrates appropriate officer safety techniques. Aware of, alert, and remains calm in stressful situations. Takes appropriate action to protect officer, co-workers, and others from harm. Successfully defends oneself, using the force continuum.
• Uses available agencies, departments, and support groups to assist citizens. Interacts in a service-oriented manner with courtesy and integrity. Respectful of others. Develops contact with others that instills confidence in the police department. Provides non-law enforcement public service as authorized by law and consistent with good police practices.
• Achieves agency and university goals. Maintain police community relations by focusing on information and education, which culminates in community action and crime reduction. Organized in daily work activity. Accepts additional responsibility and meets set deadlines. Properly uses policy and procedure manuals. Attends training and duty activities.
• Performs related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Must meet the requirement of Chapter 943, Florida Statute, and possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Additionally, applicants must possess two years full-time work experience with substantial exposure to the public (e.g. law enforcement, military, customer service, sales, etc). Applicants must be at least 19 years-of-age, a U.S. citizen, and have no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude. Must pass a physical examination, psychological examination, and background investigation including fingerprint check through the FBI. Previous law enforcement from other states must apply for Equivalency of Training. Successful prior LEO applicants must pass the Florida Law Enforcement Officer Exam as a condition of employment in accordance with departmental guidelines. A three (3) year commitment is required of all new law enforcement officers prior to initial start date.

LAW ENFORCEMENT INCENTIVE PAY:  Upon being certified by Florida Criminal Justice Standards, University Police Officers become eligible for additional monthly salary of up to $130 based upon completed higher education and/or career development courses.

UNIFORM MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE:  This allowance provides an additional $525 annually for shoes and uniform cleaning.

WORKWEEK: The basic work schedule is eighty (80) hours in a 2-week period. Time-and-a-half paid for all additional hours physically worked over eighty (80) hours. Four shifts rotate approximately every 17-18 weeks.

EDUCATION: Eligible employees may enroll in one USF credit course, up to six (6) credit hours each semester.

HOLIDAYS:  Nine (9) paid holidays per year. Two (2) floating holidays and one (1) personal holiday.

ANNUAL LEAVE: May accrue 104 hours for first 5 years, 130 hours for 5-10 years and 156 hours for 10 years or longer. Any annual leave hours accrued in excess of 240 hours at close of business on 12/31 each year will be converted to sick leave hours.

SICK LEAVE: May accrue 104 hours per year. There is no maximum number of sick leave hours that may be accrued.

OTHER BENEFITS:  (Noncontributory)  Public Safety Officers Benefits Act provides a $75,000 life insurance policy.  Special Risk Retirement allows officers to retire after 25 years of continuous creditable service regardless of age.  The State of Florida provides a $25,000 Death/Disability policy.  Workers’ Compensation Program available for work-related Injury.

OPTIONAL BENEFITS: The State/University offers a variety of low cost insurance and savings benefits to include: medical, dental, long and/or short term disability, also flex accounts for child care dependents and medical reimbursement for those employees interested.