Police Cadet - Academy Sponsorship

Please note that applications must be completed and submitted by 11:59 pm ET on the day prior to the close date listed on the job posting.

Mission : Provide Superior Services that Inspire Community Pride

Vision : To be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay

Values : Integrity, Collaboration, Passion, Creativity

Largo's commitment to a High Performance Organization (HPO) model builds a flexible and resilient organization that intentionally builds leadership capacity at all levels of the organization.

CITY OF LARGO ... Naturally A Great Place to Work!

Closing:

08/1/2026

Salary:

$28.76 hourly rate

Job Summary:

The Largo Police Department is a State and Nationally Accredited Police Department. All sworn Officers, civilian staff members and volunteers in the Department are committed to providing professional service to the residents of Largo, a commitment highlighted by our Department's Mission Statement.

The City of Largo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

A Police Cadet serves as a paid, at-will employee while attending training at an approved Police Academy. The City of Largo currently utilizes the Southeastern Public Safety Institute (SEPSI), affiliated with St Petersburg College and housed within the Allstate Center. Once a Cadet successfully completes the listed Academy training and the associated Florida Department of Law Enforcement State Exam (SOCE), they are eligible to be sworn in as a Police Officer.

**Tentative start date: September 14th, 2026

**Applications with incorrect or incomplete information will not be considered.**

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STATUS: As a condition of employment, City of Largo employees will be required to work as directed during an undeclared and/or a declared emergency. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the official job description.

Additional Compensation/Benefits:

- Defined Benefit Pension Plan with a generous 8% City match

- Benefits also include 12 paid leave days and 24 hour full access to City fitness center. Continuous learning is supported through tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities. - May receive $1,000 in relocation assistance for candidates outside Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, or Manatee counties.

- Salary incentive for lateral entry, AA or BA degrees, Shift Differential, and Specialty Unit Pay

- Out of county take home vehicle assigned out of FTO

- All equipment is provided

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

All employees share components of leadership, management, technical, and team skills to assist in making the City of Largo the community of choice in Tampa Bay.

Leadership

• Demonstrates an understanding and reflection of the Citys mission, vision, and values and a commitment to achieve organizational goals aligned with the Citys strategic plan

• Champions a high-performance work culture that encourages and embraces new ideas, develops individuals, and welcomes and encourages diverse perspectives

• Articulates strategic and innovative thinking and provides clarity to deliver superior services

• Approaches the job with enthusiasm and curiosity to promote a solutions-oriented work culture

Management

• Effectively manages assignments and priorities to ensure the fulfillment of projects, tasks, and responsibilities

• Follows suggested procedures to ensure the highest standards of risk management, employee safety, and risk avoidance

Technical

• The primary function of an employee in this classification is to receive formal training and FDLE State Certification as a Police Officer through successfully completing the SEPSI Police Academy and the associated State Examination (SOCE). By doing so, the employee will transition into the Largo Police Department Field Training Program (FTO).

• All Cadets will participate in formal, structured training at a Police Academy

• The Cadet's overall performance will be reviewed and evaluated by assigned SEPSI Instructors and the Academy Coordinator

• Upon successful completion of the listed academy, the FDLE State Examination, and approval by FDLE, the Cadet will be appointed to the classification of Police Recruit Officer

Team Skills

• Supports honest and transparent decision-making

• Collaborates with all team members in a way that builds upon ideas and takes personal accountability and ownership of projects, roles, and assignments

• Openly exhibits a positive attitude in word and action and encourages others to do the same

Performs related work as required.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STATUS: As a condition of employment, City of Largo employees will be required to work as directed during an undeclared and/or a declared emergency. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the official job description.

Minimum Qualifications:

Cadets must:

• be at least 19 years of age

• be a citizen of the United States

• have earned a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)

• not have been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or "nolo contendere" to, or is found guilty of a felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, shall not be eligible for employment or appointment as an Officer, not-withstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication

• never have received a dishonorable discharge from the US Armed Forces

• have documentation of processed fingerprints on file with the employing agency

• pass a physical examination by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or certified advanced registered nurse practitioner

• have good moral character as determined by a background investigation under procedures established by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission

• have at least sixty college credits or two years of Military and Police experience; however, if a candidate has at least forty-five college credits, they would be eligible if they are willing to complete additional course work during the aforementioned Police Academy, which will result in an additional fifteen college credits - by doing so, the candidate will satisfy the listed sixty-credit hour requirement upon graduation from the training program

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work Environment: 15% Inside a climate-controlled building; 85% outside, including driving.
Physical Requirements: The essential functions of the job require sitting for approximately three (3) hours, standing for approximately four (4) hours, and walking for approximately three (3) hours during the course of a 10-hour shift. The job also requires frequent bending/stooping, grasping, reaching, and lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 15 pounds, occasional fine manipulations, pulling/pushing, and repetitive motion. On rare occasions, the work requires climbing, crawling, kneeling, and lifting/carrying objects weighing 15 pounds or more.
Sensory Requirements: Hearing: Ability to hear alarm signals and radio transmissions, understand what others are saying in normal conversation, and detect specific noises or voices during group conversations. Speaking: Ability to communicate orally with others in person, via radio and telephone transmissions, and during formal presentations to groups. Seeing: Ability to operate a vehicle, read fine print and normal print, and observe numbers, license plates, and street signs at night.
Driving Requirements: Frequent driving and possessing a valid Florida Class "E" Drivers License with appropriate endorsements are required.
Technology: The work requires the ability to operate telephones, smartphones, tablets, photocopiers, printers, desktop and laptop computers, calculators, and all associated software. The work also requires proficiency with computer hardware and software programs, including word, spreadsheet, and database applications, internet applications, and database management.
Other Machines: The work also requires the ability to operate video recording devices.
Tools: The work requires proficiency with standard police tools.

Work Assignment: As a requirement of the position, employees should be prepared to work any/all shift assignments. Shift assignments include work on days, evenings, and nights, including weekends and holidays, and may require overtime.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Yes - DRUG TESTING (Safety Sensitive)

No - CHILDCARE FINGERPRINTING

Yes - CREDIT CHECK

Yes - FDLE AND CJSTC SECURITY CLEARANCE: As mandated by the FDLE, CJSTC, and the Largo Police Department, this position may be subject to additional security clearances due to access to the police department facility or police department's electronic data.

Elements of the Selection Process:
1. Review of applications for selection of individuals to be interviewed
2. Schedule those applicants selected to be interviewed
3. Selected applicants will interview with the panel

4. Selected applicants who pass the interview will move onto a scenario board

5. Conduct criminal background checks and driving history records on top applicants
6. Schedule polygraphs for selected top applicants
7. Schedule physicals for top applicants
8. Verification of three (3) personal references
9. Schedule the applicant to report to sign in at Human Resources on the first day of work

Duration of The Process:
The expected duration of the interview selection process for filling the position should take approximately three (3) to four (4) weeks or longer, depending on the size of the applicant pool.

Agency's Policy On Reapplication:

Applicants who complete the process but have yet to be selected will be placed on an eligibility list for one year and/or may reapply in subsequent hiring processes. Applicants who are rejected for sworn employment due to background concerns or not meeting threshold performance during any phase of the process may not reapply for one year from the date of rejection.

The City of Largo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

** If you are interested in joining the Largo Police Team, please get in touch with pd_recruiter@largo.com or call ... **