Equivalency of Training Program

Visible tattoos that do not detract from the professional appearance of the person, uniform, or the police department are authorized while on duty. Tattoos on the hands, neck, or face areas are not permitted.

The P.A.T. (Physical Agility Test) is an obstacle course style assessment that the Tampa Police Department uses to evaluate applicants.

The P.A.T. includes:

• Exiting a vehicle/opening a trunk
• Running 220 yards
• Completing an obstacle course
• Dragging a 150-pound dummy
• Running an obstacle course (repeat)
• Running 220 yards (repeat)
• Dry firing a weapon six times with each hand
• Placing items in a trunk/entering a vehicle

Applicants begin the P.A.T. seated in a full-size automobile with their seatbelt on, and their hands on the steering wheel at the ten and two o'clock positions. Each applicant wears a pull-away flag belt, with a flag over each hip, around their waist. The trunk key is in the vehicle's closed glove compartment. A handgun and a baton are lying in the vehicle's closed trunk.

Applicants must complete the course in 5m:04s.

If you have no prior military or law enforcement experience you will need to attend a Police Academy in the State of Florida.  Check out our Recruit Sponsorship for Sponsorship Opportunities.

Want to send yourself? 

Hillsborough Community College, St. Petersburg College and Pasco-Hernando State College all offer a full time and part-time academy in the Tampa Bay area.

• Hillsborough Community College
• St. Petersburg College
• Pasco-Hernando State College

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. Find out more information on our Police Recruit Scholarship page.

On average, the EOT process (from submitting the Career Interest Form to starting with Tampa PD) takes 6–12 weeks. The timeline may vary depending on how quickly applicants submit documents, complete background checks, and schedule the EOT course and SOCE exam.

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.

• New officers earn a base salary of $74,942 (Up to $81,702 with prior experience).
• Senior officers (Master Patrol Officers) earn at Least $121,680 after 10 years of service.

The Tampa Police Department offers a tuition reimbursement program which pays $3,500/semester for undergrad studies, $4,500/semester for master studies, and $6,000/semester for a doctoral studies. Officers also receive additional payment for having a degree; Associates-$30/month, Bachelors-$50/month.

Officers work a 4 day on 4 day off schedule, virtually working half of the year. In addition, Officers earn 12 paid holidays, 4 flex days, and 2 floating holidays.

Candidates are allowed up to three attempts to pass the SOCE. If unsuccessful after three attempts, state law requires the applicant to complete the full Florida Basic Recruit Academy to re-establish eligibility. Tampa PD recruiters can provide guidance and study resources to help you prepare.

Yes, military police officers may still qualify for EOT if their training and service are comparable to Florida’s Basic Recruit Training. Special Forces have a dedicated exemption pathway, but standard military law enforcement experience is evaluated case by case through the FDLE Form 76 review.

While Tampa PD itself does not currently provide relocation stipends, applicants are encouraged to take advantage of statewide incentives through the Be A Florida Hero program, including a $25,000 Hometown Heroes housing benefit for first-time homebuyers and a $5,000 law enforcement sign-on bonus

No. Applicants may apply from any state. However, relocation to Florida is required once hired, and the hiring process cannot be finalized until the applicant is available for full-time duty in Tampa.

Yes. Eligible veterans can use GI Bill benefits to receive pay while completing the one-week EOT course, Tampa PD’s in-house training, and the Field Training Officer (FTO) program. This is in addition to the $5,000 state hiring bonus.

If you were fully certified in Florida but have had a break in service of 8 years or less, you may still be eligible through EOT without having to repeat the full academy.

The EOT eligibility review and evaluations are conducted through Tampa PD’s partner organization, GovSource.net. Once approved, the one-week EOT course is held locally in Tampa.

1. $5,000 sign-on bonus for new Florida law enforcement officers.
2. $25,000 Hometown Heroes Housing Assistance program for first-time homebuyers.
3. Military GI Bill benefits can be used to receive pay while completing the EOT program, in-house training, and the FTO field training program.