Police Recruitment Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a Law Enforcement Officer or Law Enforcement Trainee with the City of Coral Springs Police Department?

The first step of the process is to complete an online interest application HERE. Please do not submit any paperwork in addition to the online application until specifically requested to do so.

What is the difference between a Law Enforcement Trainee and a Law Enforcement Officer?

The Law Enforcement Trainee position is designed for candidates who meet the Coral Springs Police Department’s education requirement but do not possess the required experience and academy training to automatically qualify as a Law Enforcement Officer. Additionally, the Law Enforcement Trainee position offers an opportunity for candidates who have served in the US Military to have a combination of education and experience and can still be considered for this position.

I would like to enter the Law Enforcement Trainee program but I am not sure that I want to become a Law Enforcement Officer.

The Coral Springs Police Department only hires Law Enforcement Trainees who are prepared to become Law Enforcement Officers immediately upon successful completion of the Police Academy.

What are your minimum education requirements? Do you offer any flexibility on your minimum education requirement?

Candidates for the position of Law Enforcement Officer and Law Enforcement Trainee must possess a bachelor’s degree. The ONLY exception is for candidates who have spent at least two years ACTIVE DUTY in the Military or at least two years as a Law Enforcement Officer. Candidates who meet the above military or Law Enforcement Officer experience, can have a minimum of 60 college credits in lieu of a bachelor’s degree. Other military, work and education experience may be considered in lieu of these preferences as well. If you qualify for the education/experience exception, you will be required to sign a contract committing to completing your Bachelor’s degree within the first 5-years of employment. If this requirement is not met, you will be terminated.

Does the Coral Springs Police Department have a Tattoo or Body Piercing Policy?

You may not have any tattoos on your neck, face or hands; with the exception of a tattoo on your ring finger. Any person with tattoos that extend past their elbow(s) will be required to cover their lower arm(s). To learn more, Coral Springs Police Department General Order 4B(PDF, 1MB) clearly defines our policy on tattoos, body piercings and other similar bodily alterations. All applicants are required to read and sign a General Order 4B compliance acknowledgment memo as part of the application process.”

Are you currently accepting applications for Law Enforcement Officer and Law Enforcement Trainees?

We accept applications on an as needed basis. When vacancies are available, they are posted within the employment section of the City’s website. The only way to receive hiring consideration is an official application in response to an official job bulletin. Applications, resumes and other supplemental application materials submitted without being requested by the department or in response to an official job bulletin will not be reviewed.

Are new hires permitted to negotiate their base wage upon offer of employment?

Law Enforcement Officer and Law Enforcement Trainee wages are not negotiable. Experienced officers will start on Step 2 ($72,703) of the current collective bargaining agreement pay plan for up to 2-years of full-time certified law enforcement experience and Step 3 ($75,641) for officers with more than 2-years of full-time certified law enforcement experience. You can reference the pay plan in the current FOP I Collective Bargaining Agreement located here(PDF, 1MB).

Do Coral Springs Officers have Union representation?

Yes. You can visit https://coralspringsfop.com/ for more information.

The current Union contracts can be viewed here(PDF, 1MB) .

I am a Sworn Law Enforcement Officer outside of the State of Florida without Florida law enforcement certification. Can I apply to your department?

Yes. You are permitted to work as an Officer within the State of Florida for up to one year without Florida Law Enforcement Certification. If you are hired we will facilitate the process for you to become a Florida State Certified Officer. To learn more about requirements established by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for Officers outside the State of Florida desiring Florida certification, please visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website at www.fdle.state.fl.us

I am a certified Law Enforcement Officer from another state. How do I become a Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Florida?

To become a Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Florida you must qualify for Equivalency of Training. You may complete the process on your own or as an employee of a department within the State of Florida. To learn more about requirements established by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for Officers outside the State of Florida desiring Florida certification, please visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website at www.fdle.state.fl.us

I am a certified Law Enforcement Officer from another state, do I have to attend the Police Academy again?

You do not have to attend the Police Academy if your academy and training history qualify you for the Equivalency of Training referenced above. To qualify the academy training you received to become an officer must be deemed equitable to that of what the State of Florida requires. This will be determined when you formally apply for Equivalency of Training through a local police Academy or Police Department.

Do you accept lateral transfers?

No, we do not accept lateral transfers, however, we do offer an above base salary start for experienced Officers. Experienced officers will start on Step 2($72,703) of the current collective bargaining agreement pay plan for up to 2-years of full-time certified law enforcement experience and Step 3 ($75,641) for officers with more than 2-years of full-time certified law enforcement experience. You can reference the pay plan in the current FOP I Collective Bargaining Agreement located HERE(PDF, 1MB) .

How can I speak with a recruiter?

Please email policeemployment@coralsprings.gov. A Human Resources representative will promptly review and respond to your questions. If you would like to be contacted via phone, include your phone number and best time that you can be reached.

How long will I work as a Law Enforcement Trainee before I become a Law Enforcement Officer?

Typically Law Enforcement Trainees are hired in conjunction with the start of a new Police Academy class. The duration of the Police Academy is approximately 5 months and as such, Law Enforcement Trainees typically remain in their position for approximately 6 months.

Please Note: At the discretion of Administration, a Law Enforcement Trainee may be required to work within the department for a limited period of time prior to attending the Academy. This is done specifically to offer additional training and exposure to ensure that the Trainee is best suited to successfully complete the Police Academy

I need Agency sponsorship so that I can attend the Police Academy. I don’t even need to be paid. Will you sponsor me?

No. To be sponsored by the Coral Springs Police Department you must be hired as a Law Enforcement Trainee. The Coral Springs Police Department only sponsors their own employees.

How soon will I hear from you after submitting my application?

We will make contact with you by e mail within 30 days of application submission. There is no need to contact us to verify that your application was received. If you have not heard from us within 30 days from the date that you submitted your application please email policeemployment@coralsprings.gov with your name and the date you applied and a Police Human Resources representative will respond.

If I am not a local candidate, how many trips will I have to make to Coral Springs in order to secure employment with your agency?

We will make every effort to create a schedule that meets your travel needs. To receive accommodation, you must have already been contacted by our office based on receipt of your preliminary employment application. Typically, two trips will be necessary to secure employment. Interviews for non-local candidates are held virtually through Microsoft Teams. If selected following your interview, the first trip will consist of CVSA Exam, Psychological Examination, Ride Along Participation and Interview with the Chief of Police. During this first trip, candidates are encouraged to complete the CJBAT (if applicable), Swim and Agility Test at Broward College’s Institute of Public Safety. Not all appointments are guaranteed, and each depends on the outcome of the previous step. The second and final trip occurs after a contingent offer of employment is made. This trip consists of a pre-employment medical exam and drug screening.

How long will it take be hired?

Our goal is to take no longer than 8 weeks to process candidates for employment. This time frame can be longer for candidates from out of the area as the speed of the process relies greatly on the applicant’s ability to travel to Coral Springs.

If I am selected for employment, what is the next step?

Once all phases of the hiring process have been completed and you are made a formal offer of employment, the application process is complete. Candidates who are extended offers as Law Enforcement Trainees will be fully sponsored at Broward College’s Institute of Public Safety Police Academy. Typically, Law Enforcement Trainees spend two weeks within the Agency prior to beginning the Police Academy. Candidates who are extended offers as Law Enforcement Officers will be sworn-in and begin their Field Training program immediately upon hire.

My Florida Law Enforcement Certification has expired, can I apply as a Law Enforcement Officer with your agency?

Yes, you may apply. There are certain steps that must be taken to update/activate your certification. The process may vary slightly depending on individual circumstances. Please visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website at fdle.state.fl.us for more information regarding this topic.

What is your mailing address?

Please do not mail any hiring/application paperwork until specifically requested to do so.

Coral Springs Police Department
2801 Coral Springs Drive
Coral Springs, Florida 33065
Attention: Alyssa Steckler, Human Resources Partner

Please email policeemployment@coralsprings.gov if you have a question that is not covered here.

What type of Benefits and Pension package do you offer?

Please visit our Benefits and Pension page.

CJBAT, Swim and Physical Agility Test Information

The CJBAT, Swim and Agility tests are basic skills tests required by the State of Florida and our department to be employed as a Law Enforcement Officer. The Coral Springs Police Department requires the following scores to be achieved to receive hiring consideration.

CJBAT – Pass (Test is pass/fail and valid for 4 years. Applicants with an associate degree or higher from an accredited college OR a veteran as defined in s/1/01(14) are EXEMPT from this testing)
Swim – Pass (Test is pass/fail)
Agility – Pass (Test is pass/fail)

The CJBAT, Swim and Physical Agility are offered through Broward College’s Institute of Public Safety. The CJBAT test can be taken at various locations throughout the State of Florida, however the Swim and Physical Agility test must be taken at Broward College’s Institute of Public Safety.

You can find more information and sign-up here.
You can find more information regarding Physical Agility test preparation here.

Please do not submit your test scores to the Coral Springs Police Department until specifically requested to do so. 

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