Become an Officer ¶
Police Officer Application
NOW HIRING!
Be among the brave men and women who make up the Tampa Police Department. Click here to start your law enforcement career today.
A professional career in law enforcement awaits you in Tampa, Florida.
The Tampa Police Department was founded on July 15, 1887. It is the second-largest police department in the state of Florida and among the top 50 largest police departments in the United States, with just over 1,000 sworn officers and approximately 350 civilian support staff positions. Tampa PD serves a population of approximately 391,000 residents with a per capita ratio of 2.66 officers per 1,000 residents.
Newly employed police officers are assigned to a four-month comprehensive field training program. This work/training environment develops job confidence and expertise under the direction of qualified training officers.
FAQ's
To speak with a recruiter during business hours Monday through Friday, please call Tampa Police Department Personnel at 813-276-3429 or email JoinTampaPD@tampa.gov
You can also speak one-on-one with a recruiting officer by contacting either of the following officers:
Master Patrol Officer Frank Noel
Frank.Noel@tampagov.net
Office Phone: 813-276-3349
Officer Nabil El Mehdaoui
Nabil.ElMehdaoui@tampagov.net
Office Phone: 813-276-3391
Visible tattoos that do not detract from the professional appears of the person, uniform, or the police department are authorized while on duty. Any unauthorized tattoos (as determined by department) shall be covered while in uniform. For more information about the tattoo policy please ask our personnel unit.
The Tampa Police Department uses a Physical Agility Course (PAT) which is an obstacle type course with segments of running, climbing over a wall, stepping over and under objects, a 150 lb. dummy drag, hand dexterity drills and a cone serpentine.
If you have no prior military or law enforcement experience you will need to attend a Police Academy in the State of Florida. Hillsborough Community College, St. Petersburg Junior College and Pasco-Hernando State College all offer a full time and part-time academy in the Tampa Bay area.
The Tampa Police Department sponsors a determined amount of candidates each year to attend the Police Academy. These candidates receive full-time wages and benefits in addition to paid tuition, equipment and books, while they are enrolled in the Academy.
No. Depending on your actual job in the military you may qualify for a two week Equivalency of Training Course. Review the FDLE Equivalency of Training webpage or locally review the St. Petersburg College Equivalency of Training Academy.
If you were an Officer in the state in which you finished the Police Academy for at least one full year, you may qualify to complete a two-week equivalency of training course in Florida. Contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at (850)410-8600 or visit the website for information on the Equivalency of the Training process.
The entire hiring process generally takes 3-6 months, which is dependent on several factors, including how quickly our inquiries are answered by your previous employers, personal references, and neighbors.
Possession of an Associate’s Degree or completion of 2 years of college coursework from an accredited college or university (60-semester or 90-quarter hours) OR High-school diploma and three (3) years of prior law enforcement or corrections experience at a department of medium-to-large size OR High-school diploma and three (3) years of full-time, active military experience OR High-school diploma and five (5) years of experience as a member of the Tampa Police Department Reserve Force OR An equivalent combination of college education, related work experience, or TPD Reserve Force experience.
Yes. New hires having previous full-time sworn law enforcement experience, accumulated within the four-year period prior to the hiring date may be eligible to start at a higher pay grade.
- Less than two years previous full-time sworn law enforcement experience will start at the first step of their particular classification.
- Two years or more, but less than four years will start at the second step.
- Four years or more previous experience will start at step three.
- You may buy up to five years of previous experience into our pension plan. Cost is dependent on several factors that are determined by the pension office.