ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT …police.stpete.org/employment/communications-docs/08-17...2016/08/17  · ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT APPLICATION PACKET SECTION 1: APPLICATION

ST PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT

APPLICATION PACKET

SECTION 1

APPLICATION INFORMATION

This section includes the application instructions (including all of the required documents) an

outline of our hiring process and information about our Agency Prior to completing an

application it is important that you review all of the information and that you also carefully

read all of the Selection Standards for Police Officers to decide whether you may qualify

Background Investigaton Unit

727-893-7272

Thank you for your interest in the position of Police Officer with the City of St Petersburg Enclosed are

several forms and documents that must be used in the completion of your Police Officer employment application The application packet is comprised of two sections Please see the following and it is important that you follow the instructions for each section

Section 1 Applicant Information This section includes the application instructions (including all of the required documents) an outline of our hiring process and information about our Agency Prior to completing an application it is important that you review all of the information and that you also carefully read all of the Selection Standards for Police Officers to decide whether you may qualify

Section 2 Application Packet This section is digitally fillable and can be electronically submitted to our Agency to begin the application process These documents include forms that are required and the Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) Prior to completing the PHQ read the instructions thoroughly All information that you provide must be accurate and thorough

Note Required Documents ndash Copies of your required documents (see Section 1) can be electronically submitted with the Section 2 Application Packet with the exception of official transcripts Please make sure that the scanned documents are readable prior to submission It is your responsibility to attach the required documents (examples are birth certificate social security card and unofficial college transcript) Without all of the required documents your file will be considered incomplete and will delay your processing Original sealed high school and other educational transcripts must be delivered at time of personal history review

Following our review of your application materials you will be contacted You may be scheduled for a personal history review with a Background Investigator

We appreciate your cooperation with this important pre-screening application process If you have questions about the recruiting process please call Officer Robert Page at 727-892-5555 More information about the process and the Police Department is also available online at wwwstpeteorgpolice

Sincerely

St Petersburg Police Department Background Investigation Unit

ldquoAn Equal Opportunity Employerrdquo

II

CITY OF ST PETERSBURG

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR EMPLOYMENT WITH THE

ST PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT

I APPLICATION AND PERSONAL HISTORY QUESTIONNAIRE

Applicants are encouraged to carefully read the applicable ldquoSelection Standards for Police Officer Pos itionsrdquo before completing an application In addition to completing a standard City Employment Application candidates for employment with the City of St Petersburgrsquos Police Department are also required to complete a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)

To thoroughly complete the PHQ applicants must provide complete mailing addresses (including zip codes) for all places of residence since age sixteen (16) all schools attended all places of employment for the last ten (10) years immediate family members (including date of birth) four (4) character references (not relatives) who have known you for five years or more and three (3) personal friends (not relatives) with whom you are currently associated

The entire pre-employment selection process typically takes an average of ten (10) to twelve (12) weeks to complete

PROCESSING STEPS WARNING

FAILURE TO KEEP SCHEDULED PROCESSING APPOINTMENTS WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE MAY BE

SUFFICIENT CAUSE FOR APPLICATION CLOSURE

The following steps (not necessarily in this sequence) comprise the pre-employment selection process for

POLICE OFFICER positions

1 Personal History Questionnaire Review 2 Polygraph 3 Mandatory Ride-along 4 Administrative Interview 5 Vocational Assessment and Psychological Evaluation

6 Physical Abilities Test 7 Background Investigation 8 Medical Examination and Drug Test

III REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

All applicants must submit copies of the following listed documents These forms can be submitted electronically with the digital application packet with the exception of college and high school transcripts which must be OFFICIAL meaning sealed in an envelope and delivered to our office at time of personal history review 1 Birth Certificate - Government issued (ie State County etc) or a valid US Passport 2 Naturalization Certificate (if applicable) The original Certificate must be presented for review as Federal

Law prohibits copying the certificate 3 Social Security Card (must be signed)

4 Applicants who are Florida certified have worked for 12 consecutive months as a sworn full-time officer in another state or who are currently enrolled at St Petersburg College are not required to provide an Official High School Transcript

OVER

5 Submitt one (1) Unofficial College Transcript and deliver two (2) Official College Transcripts to personal history review showing at least 30 semester hours if non-certified or 60 semester hours if certified and have less than 2 years full-time law enforcement experience (or quarter hour equivalents) Applicants who are Florida certified enrolled in a Florida law enforcement academy or have at least 2 years sworn full-time law enforcement experience or are currently enrolled at St Petersburg College are only required to submit one (1) Official College Transcript (See Selection Standards regarding Accrediting Institutions accepted) Official transcripts cannot be submitted electronically

6 Marriage Certificate (if applicable) 7 Divorce Decree(s) (if applicable) 8 Valid Driverrsquos License 9 Military DD214 - Member - 4 - Copy (if applicable) 10 Selective Service Card (if applicable) or visit wwwsssgov 11 Any other certificates that may reflect job qualifications should also be submitted 12 A current driving record if you are holding an out-of-state driverrsquos license If yoursquove had a Florida driverrsquos

license for less than five (5) years you need to retrieve a driving record from the previous state 13 If you are a certified Police Officer outside of the State of Florida submit a copy of the c urriculum from

the academy attended

14 College Placement Test results if applicable (For applicants meeting military or prior law

enforcement criteria see Selection Standards for more information) 15 Bankruptcy discharge including list of creditors if applicable 16 Police report(s) and final disposition(s) of any arrest (felony or misdemeanor) This would include an

expungement sealed record dismissal of charges etc All domestic related cases whether complainant or accused Other sources for obtaining this information would be personal records personal attorney arresting agency county clerkrsquos office

The following forms are also required and included in the application packet and should be submitted electronically with your digital packet Forms requiring a notary will be notarized at the time of your personal history review

Forms that can be submitted electronically -Background Investigation Worksheet -Military Records Request -Neighborhood Survey -Tattoo Policy

Notification It is requested that you provide your Social Security number as part of our employment process In accordance with Florida State Statute 119071 we are requesting your Social Security number for the following purposes bull tax reporting bull identification and for verifications such as former employment criminal records and credit worthiness bull benefit processing and identification bull reporting to other government agencies bull as a unique identifier for search purposes

IV RE-APPLICATIONRETESTING

1 Applicants will be provided three (3) opportunities to pass the Police physical abilities test 2 Any applicant who is discontinued in the selection process may re-apply one (1) year from the date of

notification of removal from consideration However on a case-by-case basis there may be exceptions to this provision dependent upon the specific cause of removal

V ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you have any questions please contact Officer Robert Page at 727-892-5555 in Police Recruitment

R-111904 R-052505 R-120205 R-080906 R-113006

R-100107 R-122107 R-020508 R-081814

HISTORY

The City of St Petersburg is located in the southern portion of Pinellas County along

Floridarsquos west coast It is bordered by Tampa Bay to the east and the Gulf of Mexico on the west

The City has a population of more than 240000 permanent residents The population increases by

several thousand temporary residents during the winter months St Petersburg is governed by a

full-time mayor and eight city council members

Residents and visitors enjoy a climate of year round tropical weather The weather and the

accessibility to large bodies of water create a community rich in recreational opportunities Typical

temperatures range from the low 50s to high 90s

The Tampa Bay area is rapidly establishing itself as a national sports center The Tampa Bay

area is home to the National Football Leaguersquos Tampa Bay Buccaneers Arena Football Leaguersquos

Tampa Bay Storm and National Hockey Leaguersquos Tampa Bay Lightning The Toronto Blue Jays

Philadelphia Phillies New York Yankees Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds also use the

Tampa Bay area for spring training

The home field for the American Leaguersquos Tampa Bay Rays is conveniently located within

walking distance of downtown St Petersburg

Several private and public universities including the University of South Florida Stetson

College of Law St Petersburg College and Eckerd College are easily accessible to residents The

Cityrsquos downtown area supports many museums and cultural events including the Salvador Dali

Museum Florida International Museum Museum of Fine Arts and International Folk Fair Society

The Police department employs more than 500 sworn law enforcement officers and more than

200 non-sworn employees The department provides a full range of police services within a 60

square mile area and also covers an additional 142 square miles of surrounding waterways The

police department is housed in one main building that is located near downtown In addition to the

main police building residents are served at several Community Resource Centers that are staffed

by community volunteers

The department has been involved in Community Policing since 1989 and is recognized

nationally as a leader in Problem Solving Policing The St Petersburg Police Department is

committed to fulfilling organizational goals and a community-oriented philosophy based on loyalty

integrity and fidelity

The officers of St Petersburg have many opportunities and benefits not traditionally provided

by other agencies such as programs to provide financial aid for those officers who elect to continue

their post graduate studies The City in partnership with Bayfront Health also provides employees

with primary care services at a dedicated Health and Wellness Center

The City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

BECOMING AN

OFFICER

Processing

You must successfully complete

1 A Personal History Questionnaire Interview

2 A Polygraph Examination

3 An Administrative Interview

4 A Mandatory Ride Along

5 A Vocational AssessmentPsychological Evaluation (Test and Interview)

6 A Physical Abilities Test

7 A Background Investigation

8 A Physical Examination and Controlled Substance Test

Training

Upon your appointment as a St Petersburg Police Cadet you will be assigned to the Training Division

You will participate in ride-alongs work in various areas of the Department and participate in a two-week

in-house pre-academy training phase Next you will attend a 21-week intensive training program at the

Pinellas or Hillsborough Police Academy two of the top police training facilities in the nation While there

you will study

1 Florida Criminal Law

2 Rules of Evidence

3 Patrol Techniques

4 Laws of Arrest

5 Human Relations

6 Search and Seizure

7 Sex Crimes

8 Accident Investigation

9 Defensive Tactics

10 Firearms

11 First Aid

12 Human Diversity

13 Many other related subjects

After completing the academy or if initially appointed as a Police Officer you will enter the two-to-three

week post academy training phase and then proceed to the Field Training Officer Program where you will

apply the knowledge and skills you learned in the academy When you successfully complete the FTO

Program you will be assigned to Uniform Services on a probationary status

The City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

LAW ENFORCEMENT

SALARIES

Yoursquoll work a 40-hour week and receive pay bi-weekly (26 pay periods annually)

Police OfficerCadet

Hourly Annual

Start Police Cadet $1921 $39957

Police Officer Start

First Year $2247 $46742

Step 1 Second Year $2335 $48565

Step 2 Third Year $2426 $50459

Step 3 Fourth Year $2521 $52427

Step 4 Fifth Year $2619 $54472

Step 5 Sixth Year $2721 $56596

Step 6 Seventh Year $2827 $58803

Step 7 Eighth Year $2937 $61096

Step 8 Ninth Year $3052 $63479

Step 9 Tenth Year $3171 $65955

Step 10 Eleventh Year $3295 $68527

Step 11 Twelfth Year $3423 $71200

Maximum Thirteenth Year $3535 $73535

You will receive overtime pay for working more than 40 hours a week at one and a half times your

hourly rate Promotions are made based upon a competitive examination Police Officers with three

continuous years of service who have completed sixty (60) college credit hours may take the test

Advancement in the St Petersburg Police Department is open to all and is earned without regard to

race creed color age or sex From the moment you are sworn in and given your badge you will

continue to learn and grow in the law enforcement profession

Police Sergeant Police Lieutenant

Hourly Annual

Entry $3639 $75697

Step 1 $3712 $77211 Step 1 $4296 $89363

Step 2 $3805 $79141 Step 2 $4494 $93473

Step 3 $3909 $81318 Step 3 $4701 $97773

Step 4 $4066 $84570 Maximum $4917 $102271

Maximum $4269 $88800

Hourly Annual

Entry $4181 $86971

The City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

BENEFITS

Salaries

Starting Salary with 60 semester hours $46742

Starting Salary with 2-Year College Degree $47102

Starting Salary with 4-Year College Degree $47702

Maximum Base Pay with 4-Year College Degree $74495

The above-mentioned salaries include $80 per month ($960year) that all sworn personnel receive

as a result of having obtained a 4-year degree Applicants with a 2-year degree receive an additional

$30 per month ($360year) All sworn officers have the opportunity to supplement their income by

working off-duty job assignments

Health Care

Comprehensive Group Health and Life Insurance are available for you and your family Sworn

personnel shall receive free life insurance in an amount equal to hisher annual base pay rounded

to the nearest thousand dollars Several major medical health care plans are available

Retirement Plan

Officers have the option of retiring at age 55 or after 25 years of service regardless of age Prior to

retirement an officer may opt to participate in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP plan)

and become eligible for an additional one-time cash payout of up to seven years of hisher pension

income The cash payout would be paid in addition to the officerrsquos monthly pension

Financial Aid for Continuing Education

The City of St Petersburg provides up to 75 of tuition expense for pre-approved courses subject

to a maximum reimbursement of $1000 per employee in each fiscal year A Charitable Trust has

also been established to further assist officers pursuing a college degree

Educational Incentive Pay

The State of Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission provides for pay

incentives after the completion of designated courses of study

Miscellaneous Benefits

Paid Military Leave Funeral Leave and Holidays

Up to five weeks of Paid Annual Leave time

Take Home Car Program

Uniforms and Equipment provided at no cost

Fully Equipped Weight Room and Workout Center

Fitness Coordinator

Deferred Compensation Programs exist via ICMA

TO JOIN THE TEAM

YOU MUST

Advancement Opportunities

Every officer has the opportunity to apply to a specialized unit after being off probation for two

years and is eligible to become a sergeant after completing only three years of service

Provides 100 Sponsorship

The department will pay academy tuition and salaries for police officer applicants accepted into the

cadet program

Pre-Certified Officer Incentive Program

Florida certified officers and out of state officers that qualify for the FDLErsquos equivalency of training

certification program are eligible for this incentive program The department will pay an $8000

incentive to individuals that are hired $4000 will be paid upon successful completion of the Field

Training Program and $4000 will be paid after four (4) years of continuous service This monetary

incentive is subject to certain conditions as indicated in the Incentive Program Agreement

Police Academy

Certified law enforcement officers outside the State of Florida with one year of full-time law

enforcement experience may be eligible to attend an equivalency of training academy This decision

will be made by the Training Division at time of appointment

Non-certified applicants (Police Cadets) will attend a 21-week academy

Academy attendance will be primarily Monday through Friday 8 am until 5 pm

Neither dormitories nor temporary housing are provided for out of town applicants The department

will assist with information on lodging realtors and the Chamber of Commerce

Applicants are encouraged to tour the Police Department facility

Lateral Transfers

Certified Police Officers who transfer laterally to our agency may be eligible to receive one step for

one year of creditable service up to Step 5 after completing the field training program This may be

applied when an applicant is a Florida State Certified Officer or when we have an out-of-state officer

who meets the FDLE guidelines of eligibility to attend the Equivalency of Training Academy

The City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

TO JOIN THE TEAM

YOU MUST

SELECTION

STANDARDS

1 Be at least nineteen (19) years of age in accordance with Florida State Statutes

2 Be a citizen of the United States

3 Be a high school graduate or the equivalent supplemented with sixty (60) semester hours (or

quarter-hour equivalents) in any recognized discipline at an accredited college or university

Although sixty (60) semester hours are required an applicant with at least thirty (30) semester

hours (excluding courses given at any police academy) is eligible to apply An additional thirty

(30) hours will be granted upon completion of training at a Florida Police Academy such as the

Southeastern Public Safety Institute and successful completion of the State Certification Exam

- or -

Have at least three (3) years honorable military service or two (2) years full-time sworn law

enforcement experience and you do not have thirty (30) hours of college credits from a regionally

accredited college or university you will be required to take a college placement test It must be

the Postsecondary Educational Readiness Test (PERT) which is administered at any community

college in the State of Florida The scores must meet or exceed the minimum in the following

Reading (104) Writing (99) and Mathematics (113) If you do not score accordingly you must

take and successfully complete a remedial course(s) prior to employment with our agency

4 Possess a valid driverrsquos license

5 Be in good physical and mental health as determined by licensed physicians and professionals

designated by the city

6 Meet the vision requirements of 20100 uncorrected in each eye correctable to 2040 by glasses visual acuity may exceed uncorrected limits if visual acuity of 2040 can be achieved through the use of soft contact lenses

7 Have no felony convictions

8 Have no misdemeanor convictions involving perjury false statement or moral turpitude

9 Not have used tried or experimented with any drugs classified as controlled substances or any

other illegal drugs except marijuana unless under the care of a licensed physician within the

last 5 years and any past use was not more than limited experimental use

10 Not have used tried or experimented with marijuana within the 3 years immediately preceding

application for employment and past use must be deemed acceptable by the Department

The City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

SELECTION

STANDARDS

11 Have not inhaled ingested used tried or experimented with any harmful chemical substances

within the last twelve (12) months for the purpose of inducing intoxication or which distorts or

disturbs the auditory visual or mental processes with the exception of those substances

prescribed by and used under the care of a physician Any applicant with an established pattern

of using harmful chemical substances in the past will not be considered for employment

12 Have never sold offered for sale induced or attempted to induce another person in the use of

illegal drugs

13 Be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation and drug

testing

14 Successfully complete the pre-employment screening process

JOB DESCRIPTION Police work involving the protection of life and property through the

enforcement of laws and ordinances Work involves responsibility for the prevention detection and

investigation of criminal activity while assigned to a specific task or geographic area on an assigned

shift Work is performed with considerable independence under general direction of an

administrative supervisor with responsibilities to include problem solving activities while working

in conjunction with community organizations Includes the use and care of firearms

communications equipment gas masks and other necessary equipment The work involves the

element of personal danger and requires the exercise of considerable independent judgment

including application of policy and procedure and tact Also includes the use of computers to access

information and generate reports The Police Officer may be assigned to a specialized unit requiring

specialized knowledge training and work in units such as vice and narcotics community policing

criminal investigations etc

The City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

SELECTION

STANDARDS

I INTRODUCTION

The selection of competent personnel for Police Officer positions is essential to provide for the

safety and protection to which the public is entitled

The purpose of establishing selection standards is to define (as clearly as possible) the kind of

individual who can best serve the citizens of St Petersburg The standards appear in the context of

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENTAPPOINTMENT and INELIGIBILITY FOR

EMPLOYMENTAPPOINTMENT which follow

The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race color

gender religion age national origin disability marital status or other non-merit factors

II ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENTAPPOINTMENT

To be eligible for employmentappointment as a Police Officer andor ReserveAuxiliary Officer

an applicant must

A Be at least nineteen (19) years of age in accordance with FS 94313(1)

B Be a citizen of the United States in accordance with FS 94313(2)

C Be a high school graduate or the equivalent supplemented with sixty (60) semester hours

(or quarter-hour equivalents) in any recognized discipline at an accredited college or

university Although sixty (60) semester hours are required an applicant with at least

thirty (30) semester hours (excluding courses given at any police academy) is eligible to

apply An additional thirty (30) hours will be granted upon completion of training at a

Florida Police Academy such as the Southeastern Public Safety Institute and successful

completion of the State Certification Exam

-or-

Have at least three (3) years honorable military service or two (2) years full-time sworn

law enforcement experience and you do not have thirty (30) hours of college credits from

a regionally accredited college or university you will be required to take a college

placement test It must be a Postsecondary Educational Readiness Test (PERT) which is

administered at any community college in the State of Florida The scores must meet or

exceed the minimum in the following Reading (104) Writing (99) and Mathematics

(113) If you do not score accordingly you must take and successfully complete a

remedial course(s) prior to employment with our agency

The St Petersburg Police Department recognizes the following accreditations from colleges or

universities only They are as follows

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

New England Association of Colleges and Schools North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary School

Northwestern Association of Schools and Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Association of Independent Colleges and Schools (aka - Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools)

The City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

SELECTION

STANDARDS

II ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENTAPPOINTMENT (continued)

D Meet the requirements of the departmentrsquos tattoo policy

E Successfully complete the administrative interview

F Successfully complete the physical agility test

G Possess a valid driverrsquos license at time of application and a valid State of Florida Driverrsquos License at time of appointment

H Be in good physical and mental health as determined by licensed physicians and

professionals designated by the City and in accordance with FS 94313 (6)

I Meet the vision requirements of 20100 uncorrected in each eye corrected to 2040 by

glasses Visual acuity may exceed uncorrected limits if visual acuity of 2040 can be

achieved through the use of soft contact lenses

J Be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation and

controlled substance testing in accordance with FS 94313 (7)

K Employees must live within a sixty (60) mile radius or two (2) hours driving time of Police

Headquarters

III INELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENTAPPOINTMENT

The decision to remove an applicantrsquos name from employment consideration shall be made by the

Human Resources Director (or designee) andor a designated representative of the Police

Department It shall be the responsibility of the Human Resources Director (or designee) to notify

the applicant that hisher application will not be further considered The following will disqualify

an applicant from employmentappointment

A Falsification of documents (eg Personal History Questionnaire Statement of Employability Employment Application)

B Conviction of any felony or of a 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 not withstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of

adjudication in accordance with Florida State Statute 94313 (4)

C Conviction of a misdemeanor which is contrary to the moral conscience of the general

public in accordance with rules established by the Florida Police Standards and Training

Commission Judgments must be made on a case-by-case basis Intent malice knowledge

of gravity of the offense and provocation are elements to be considered in making these

judgments

The City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

xx

SELECTION

STANDARDS

III INELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENTAPPOINTMENT (continued)

D Conviction of a felony crime in accordance with FS 94313(4)

E No person will be considered for employment who has received a dishonorable discharge from any of the armed forces in accordance with FS 94313(4)

F The following drug uses shall disqualify an applicant

1 Any use or experimentation with drugs classified as controlled substances or any

other illegal drugs except marijuana while not under the care of a licensed

physician within the last 5 years and any past use of illegal drugs was more

than limited experimental use The Department reserves the final decision as to

what constitutes limited experimental use

2 Any use of marijuana within the three (3) years immediately preceding

application for employment and any past use must be deemed acceptable by the

Department

3 Have not inhaled ingested used tried or experimented with any harmful

chemical substances within the last twelve (12) months for the purpose of

inducing intoxication or which distorts or disturbs the auditory visual or mental

processes with the exception of those substances prescribed by and used under

the care of a physician Any applicant with an established pattern of using

harmful chemical substances in the past will not be considered for employment

G Any person who has sold offered for sale induced or attempted to induce another

person in the use of illegal drugs will be disqualified

H An applicant who has been or is associated with a person involved in illegal activities

will be removed from consideration as such relationship could be detrimental to the

effectiveness of the Police Department

I A person who cannot perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable

accommodation will not be considered

J A determination that an applicant is not of good moral character will result in hisher

removal from consideration

K Polygraph concerns including significant levels of deception indicated unacceptable

indicators recorded and noted the use of countermeasure techniques andor the failure to

comply with the polygraph process

I An application will be removed from consideration whose overall fitness is deemed as

undesirable The key in examining these problem areas will be to look for a pattern of

behavior not conducive to job performance though the severity of any problem may by

itself make removal from consideration appropriate This may be reflected by but not

limited to such considerations as illegal gambling poor employment record marital

problems poor credit ratings poor driving record unlawful sexual behavior excessive

drinking beliefs which conflict with job duties and deception

The City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

1 Health

FOR YOUR BENEFIT

Insurance

After a waiting period several plans are available to you and your eligible dependents You

may select a plan that suits your needs The city shares in the cost of this coverage

Types of Plans Available

A comprehensive Major Medical Plan wherein the employee has freedom of choice in

selecting physicians and hospitals on a fee-for-service basis Health Maintenance

Organizations (HMO) provide the services of physicians hospitals and specialists associated

with the plans for a total health-care package only small co-payments are required for medical

services rendered and claim forms are eliminated

Life Insurance

After a waiting period life insurance in an amount equal to hisher annual base pay rounded to

the nearest thousand dollars is provided at no cost to you with double the amount payable in the

event of accidental death If you wish you may purchase additional life insurance and accidental

death coverage Florida law provides up to $50000 line-of-duty death and $75000 unlawful

death insurance This coverage pays in addition to any other benefits and is furnished at no cost

to you

Retirement

You may retire when you reach 55 years of age or when you have completed 25 years of

creditable service regardless of age The Police Pension Fund provides lifetime retirement

benefits as well as disability and survivor payments After you are eligible to retire you may

participate in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan The plan is an optional benefit program in

which you ldquobankrdquo your pension benefit while continuing to work for up to seven years

Court Pay

If you are required to attend court or a judicial hearing during scheduled off-duty hours you will

receive two hours compensation for all appearances during those two hours if the start of the

two-hour period is more than 60 minutes before your regularly scheduled check-in time or more

than 60 minutes after your regularly scheduled check-out time

Educational Incentive Pay

You can receive an additional $30 monthly if you meet educational standards established by the

State of Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission Educational Incentive

Pay is designed to encourage educational achievement in police-related fields as set forth in the

Florida Statutes

Uniforms

Uniforms are provided at no cost to the employee A service weapon Taser safety glasses safety

shoes flashlight law books and other equipment also are provided

Miscellaneous Benefits

Other benefits include Paid Military Leave Paid Funeral Leave Credit Union and Acting

Sergeant Pay

The City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

1 A

VACATION bull LEAVE

bull HOLIDAYS bull

Annual Leave

You will earn annual leave based on your number of years of completed service and may use the

leave for vacation purposes personal matters and unscheduled medical leave Illnesses of up to

two consecutive days will be charged to your annual leave accrual

During each of your first five years with the department you can earn up to three weeks of

annual leave Accrual increases each year thereafter up to five weeks annually with 20 or more

years of service You may not use any annual leave during the first six months of employment

except for illness

Illness Leave

You will accrue illness leave at the rate of 4 hours for each 80 regularly scheduled work hours

on active pay status These hours can be used for any medical related appointments or absences

Illness leave will be capped at 1500 hours Upon retirement you will receive a payoff of 25

of the number of accrued hours at your straight time hourly rate for a maximum of 375 hours

For example if you have accrued 1000 hours of extended illness leave when you retire you will

receive pay for 250 unused hours (25 of the 1000 unused hours) at 100 percent of your hourly

rate If your hourly rate is $2000 you would receive $500000

Holidays

You are entitled to ten paid holidays annually

The City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity EmployerThe City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

MENTOR PROGRAM

The Program

Police cadets and probationary officers undergo several phases of training each providing

unique experiences and challenges The St Petersburg Police Department has implemented a

Mentor Program to assist new employees through the various transitions of training After

beginning employment each cadet or probationary officer is assigned an experienced police

officer as a mentor The mentor relationship cultivates an environment conducive to maximizing

each new employeersquos potential

On the first day of employment cadets and probationary officers are asked to complete a

questionnaire This questionnaire will assist in assigning a mentor based upon the new

employeersquos current needs and circumstances At a minimum the mentor relationship will

continue through the first year of employment

Benefits of the Mentor Program

Assist in setting goals and developing career path

Assist new employees from another area in acclimating to the Tampa Bay Area

Increase awareness of Department policies and current practices

Increase networking opportunity to develop professional growth

Create a positive working climate

The City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

GI BILL BENEFITS

On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeship Program Benefits

Educational Assistance Allowance for trainees is provided under the Montgomery GI Bill and

the Post-911 GI Bill

The On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeship Program is 17 months for veterans who need to

attend the 21-week Police Academy and 12 months for veterans who are either Florida certified

or certified in another state and need to attend the 2-week Equivalency of Training to become

Florida certified

For example veterans under Chapter 30 of the Montgomery GI Bill whose period of active

duty was more than three years may be eligible to receive $164800 per month while in the

Academy and $123600 per month for the six-month period following the Academy $90640

per month during the second six-months and $57680 per month during the remaining six-

months (if applicable) Veterans with less than three years of active duty and selected reservists

may also be eligible for benefits The basic monthly rates are effective October 1 2013 and for

any updates refer to the Web site httpwwwbenefitsvagovgibill

The Post-911 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with

at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11 2001 or individuals discharged

with a service-connected disability after 30 days For further information refer to the following

Web site wwwgibillvagovpost-911post-911-gi-bill-summary Eligibility and rates do vary

somewhat from that of the Montgomery GI Bill

The GI Bill Benefits are received in addition to your salary

The City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

After you graduate from the Police Academy and complete the Field Training Officer program

you will be assigned to Uniform Services

Yoursquoll work an 8-hour shift for five consecutive days with two days off each week or a 10-hour

shift for four consecutive days with three days off each week Following a probationary period

you may apply to other specialized units

1 Community Policing

2 Marine Patrol Unit

3 Criminal Investigations (Detective) Division

4 Vice and Narcotics

5 K9

6 Tactical Apprehension Control (TAC) Team

7 Youth Resources Division

8 Training Division

9 Intelligence

10 Traffic Section (DUI Selective Enforcement Traffic Homicide)

11 Community Awareness ndash (crime preventionmedia relations)

12 Special Investigations Unit

13 Street Crimes Unit

The City of St Petersburg is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

ST PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT PHYSICAL ABILITIES TEST

INTRODUCTION

The Physical Abilities Test (PAT) is consistent with national models and industry standards and is locally validated

based on statewide statistics Components of the test were designed to simulate actual tasks and essential knowledge

skills and abilities required of the job These skills were identified through job task analysis and a review of critical

job responsibilities requiring physical proficiency Five primary components in order to simulate essential functions

of an entry-level criminal justice officer were identified and incorporated into the PAT

1 Exiting a patrol vehicle and removing items from the glove box and trunk to assess coordination and

dexterity This component represents basic motors skillshand eye coordination needed to perform routine

tasks

2 A 220 yard run for endurance and cardiovascular condition

3 A 110rsquo obstacle course consisting of a 40rdquo wall three hurdles a serpentine section and a 27rdquo low crawl to

measure coordination and agility

4 Drag a human form dummy weighing 150 lbs for a distance of 100rsquo for strength

5 Officers are to assume a proper firing position and dry fire a standard service handgun (a revolver is

preferred) six times in both the dominant and non-dominant hand

The test is concluded when the officer re-enters the vehicle In order to evaluate the performance of the officer as

satisfactory or non-satisfactory the test is timed Distances and heights of the components comprising the PAT were

determined through review of common rescue and pursuit documentation and patrolled distances of correctional

facilities as well as common heights of obstacles encountered by criminal justice officers

PREPARTATION

The Physical Abilities Test was developed to test the above listed range of physical abilities Successful completion

demands a significant physical effort The results of your test will reflect your overall physical abilities and training

for the above addressed areas (specifically strength and stamina) is recommended Applicants should come to the

test wearing appropriate exercise clothes and comfortable running shoes It is suggested that participants come to the

session fully rested and hydrated To help reduce unnecessary injury and determine if you can safely perform

all of the required tasks it is recommended that you consult with a physician prior to participating in the

physical abilities test

PHYSICAL ABILITIES TEST

Upon arrival to the scheduled session there will be a check in orientation period and a walk through of the Physical

Abilities Test Participants will be allowed to ask any questions related to the test and procedures during this period

A warm up period will be allotted The PAT is a measure of a participantrsquos best effort (completion should result in a

near maximal to maximal effort) and fatigue should result The running of the course will be timed to evaluate

performance Premature fatigue resulting in a lower score (longer time to complete) may be avoided by choosing the

appropriate pace to maximize the rate at which the course is completed To achieve a passing score for the test an

applicant must complete the entire PAT within 7 minutes 4 seconds Any time exceeding the 7 minutes 4

seconds cut off time is considered a failed test

COURSE DESIGN AND COMPONENTS

The PAT was designed to assess physical attributes that reflect core enabling knowledge skills and abilities and

essential tasks common for law enforcement corrections and correctional probation officers The physical abilities

test is to be conducted in a continuous flow manner that is time-dependent in order to determine the participantrsquos

level of physical condition and aerobic capacity The PAT measures specific physical abilities through a series of

tasks that are listed as follows

1 Exiting vehicleopen trunk

2 220 yard run

3 Obstacle course

4 Dummy drag

5 Obstacle course (repeat)

6 220 yard run (repeat)

7 Dry fire weapon

8 Place items in trunkenter vehicle

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Task 1 Exit vehicleopen trunk The test begins with the applicant seated seat belt on with hands at the 10

orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions on the steering wheel The applicant is wearing a gun belt and a flag belt with flags

positioned over each hip The trunk key is in the closed glove box The trunk release is not to be used by the

participant A handgun and flashlight are positioned in the front center part of the trunk The trunk is closed and

locked

1 On the command ldquogordquo the stop watch is started and the participant removes hands from the steering wheel

opens the glove box removes the key unfastens the seat belt and exits the vehicle leaving the glove box and

door open

2 Move to the back of the vehicle insert key unlock and open the trunk After opening the trunk touch each

flag with the opposite hand and remove flag belt Remove handgun and flashlight from trunk Holster the

handgun and continue to hold the flashlight

3 Immediately enter through the cones marking the beginning of the 220 yard run

Task 2 220 yard run While carrying flashlight and wearing gun belt and holstered handgun the participant runs

220 yards on a relatively flat grassy surface

1 Complete run and exit 220 yard course through cones

Task 3 Obstacle Course Upon completion of 220 yard run the participant enters the obstacle portion of the course

1 While continuing to hold the flashlight and carry gungun belt climb over 40 inch wall

2 ClimbJump over a series of 3 hurdles of different heights (1st = 24rdquo 2nd = 12rdquo 3rd= 18rdquo) and 5 feet apart

3 Serpentine through a single row of 9 cones placed 5 feet apart

4 Crawl under low crawl hurdles (27 inches high and spaced 4 feet apart)

5 Drop flashlight after the low crawl near the pylon