st. petersburg police department...
TRANSCRIPT
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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
Task 4 Dummy Drag Participant sprints 50 feet grabs the 150 pound dummy and drags it 100 feet on a grass
surface
1 Sprint 50 feet to where the dummy is positioned
2 Lift the dummy with a firm safe grip (using proper technique) and drag it for 100 feet to next set of cones
3 Sprint 50 feet to re-enter the obstacle course and pick up flashlight
Task 5 Obstacle Course (Repeat obstacle course in reverse order)
1 Crawl back under low crawl hurdles
2 Go back through 9 cone serpentine
3 Climbjump back over series of 3 hurdles
4 Climb back over 40 inch walls
Task 6 220 Yard Run (Repeat 220 yard run course)
1 Re-enter the 220 yard run and complete run
Task 7 Dry Fire Weapon After completing 220 yard run the participant places the flashlight on the ground and
removes the hand gun from the holster Then assumes a proper firing position and complete 6 trigger squeezes each
using the dominant then the non-dominant hand
1 Place flashlight on ground and enter the Dry Fire Weapon area
2 Once in the Dry Fire area remove hand gun from holster and assume a firing position (arms completed
outstretched at shoulder height and parallel with the ground) and performs 6 trigger squeezes with the
dominant then non-dominant hand
Task 8 Enter TrunkEnter Vehicle (Repeat task 1 in reverse)
1 Exit Dry Fire while holding gun in hand pick up the flashlight and placed hand gun and flashlight in the
trunk
2 Close trunk remove key and go to driverrsquos door
3 Enter vehicle Close driverrsquos door Place key in and close glove box
4 Fasten seat belt and place both hands on the steering wheel
The stop watch is stopped once the hands are placed back in the 10 orsquoclock and 2 orsquoclock positions 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