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Summary
Police Officer
The Punta Gorda Police Department will be testing candidates for the position of Police Officer. Upon successful completion of the testing process candidates will be eligible for consideration for police officer positions. Starting salary will be $64,078.56. We are currently accepting applications only from the following:
- Candidates who are currently law enforcement certified in Florida;
- Candidates who are eligible for Equivalency of Training (EOT) in Florida;
- Candidates who are currently enrolled in a Florida law enforcement academy;
- Candidates with prior sworn or civilian experience in the law enforcement field (including as officers, corrections officer, dispatchers, etc.)
Please only provide specified documents. The City of Punta Gorda employs three tools in determining the qualifications of each Police Officer candidate:
Written Examination:The written examination will be administered virtually and may be taken at any time between Friday, June 19, 2026, and Friday, June 26, 2026. Candidates will be provided with the website and login information once the application process has closed. The written examination is comprised of three section: Grammar, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics. Candidates must receive a passing score of 70% on both the Grammar and Reading Comprehension sections and a minimum composite score of 60% for all three sections to move forward in the process. Study guides are available through the testing company website for a nominal fee.
Oral Board Examinations:The oral board examinations will be held in-person or via Zoom video conference on Thursday, July 9, 2026, for those candidates who successful pass the written examination. Candidates will be assigned the time for their oral board after written examination is completed.
The City of Punta Gorda is a Drug Free Workplace, Equal Opportunity and Veterans' Preference Employer. All elements of the selection process shall be job related and the criteria for selection of candidates is not based upon a candidate's race, color, religion, sex, age or national origin.
Example Of Duties
- Observe, detect, and apprehend violators of traffic and other laws;
- Observe and take appropriate action regarding any hazards to the community and any illegal criminal activities;
- Respond to emergency calls for service and assist the Fire Department and EMS as necessary;
- Conduct investigations as needed;
- Determine appropriate action to be taken at each incident;
- May be required to complete a written report of various activities during a shift.
- Complete all appropriate forms when required for an incident, including reports to other local or state law enforcement agencies, departmental forms, logs, and summaries;
- Complete the processing of evidence, as needed;
- Review necessary reports and documentation of incidents.
- Provide testimony concerning an incident, as may be required by the court; and safely operate a police motor vehicle in an emergency-mode.
Typical Qualifications
- Must possess a high school diploma or equivalency.
- Associate degree in police science, sociology or related field preferred.
- Must meet the minimum requirements as established by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
- Previous experience dealing with the general public preferred.
- Must possess a valid Florida driver's license.
- Must possess a current Florida Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Certificate, or be able to acquire it within six months of being hired by the Department.
Supplemental Information
KNOWLEGDE / SKILLS / ABILITIES
- Knowledge of local and State statutes, laws, ordinances, and the necessary procedures for their enforcement;
- Knowledge of the use of emergency communication equipment, codes, and response protocols;
- Knowledge of the use of technical equipment including but not limited to: computers, cameras, and radar units;
- Knowledge of the use of law enforcement equipment, including but not limited to: personal safety devices, firearms, non-lethal weapons (TASER, baton, subject control spray), and suspect restraints;
- Knowledge of defensive tactics techniques and techniques for restraining suspects;
- Knowledge in operating a police vehicle, including a high-speed pursuit, proper placement during an incident and/or traffic stop, and proper general care and maintenance;
- Skills in the use of emergency communication equipment, codes, and response protocols;
- Skills in the use of technical equipment including computers, cameras, and radar units;
- Skills in the use of law enforcement equipment, including personal safety devices, fire arms, non-lethal weapons (TASER, baton, subject control spray), and suspect restraints;
- Skills in operating a police vehicle, including a high-speed pursuit, proper placement during an incident and/or traffic stop, and proper general care and maintenance;
- Ability to identify and analyze problems, evaluate alternative solutions, and make sound judgments;
- Ability to move quickly and forcefully in response to unexpected situations;
- Ability to maneuver and work in a variety of ground conditions;
- Ability to operate patrol vehicles in emergency mode;
- Ability to get in and out of a patrol car on a frequent basis;
- Ability to successfully pass a physical skills and agility test.
Code: Constant = 2/3 or more of the time Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time N/A = Not applicable
Heavy lifting (45 lbs.. and over) - X
Moderate lifting (15 to 44 lbs.) - X
Light lifting (under 15 lbs.) - X
Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over) - X
Moderate carrying (14 to 44 lbs.) - X
Light carrying (under 15 lbs.) - X
Reaching above shoulder - X
Use of fingers - X
Both hands required - X
Climbing (use of legs and arms) - X
Climbing (legs only) - X
Good near vision - X
Good distant vision - X
Both eyes required - X
Depth perception - X
Distinguishing basic colors - X
Distinguishing shades of colors - X
Good hearing (with or without hearing aid) - X
Straight pulling - X
Pulling hand over hand - X
Pushing - X
Walking - X
Standing - X
Crawling - X
Kneeling - X
Bending - X
Balancing - X
Stooping - X
Jumping - X
Running - X
Throwing - X
Driving (cars, small vans, pick-ups, etc.) - X
Driving & operating (heavy equip., trucks, etc.) - X
Environmental Conditions :
Code: Constant = 2/3 or more of the time
Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time
N/A = Not applicable
Environment - Constant - Frequent - Occasional - N/A
Work Inside - X
Work Outside - X
In the Heat - X
In the Cold - X
In High Humidity - X
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Job Description
Police Officer
The Punta Gorda Police Department will be testing candidates for the position of Police Officer. Upon successful completion of the testing process candidates will be eligible for consideration for police officer positions. Starting salary will be $64,078.56. We are currently accepting applications only from the following:
- Candidates who are currently law enforcement certified in Florida;
- Candidates who are eligible for Equivalency of Training (EOT) in Florida;
- Candidates who are currently enrolled in a Florida law enforcement academy;
- Candidates with prior sworn or civilian experience in the law enforcement field (including as officers, corrections officer, dispatchers, etc.)
Please only provide specified documents. The City of Punta Gorda employs three tools in determining the qualifications of each Police Officer candidate:
Written Examination:The written examination will be administered virtually and may be taken at any time between Friday, June 19, 2026, and Friday, June 26, 2026. Candidates will be provided with the website and login information once the application process has closed. The written examination is comprised of three section: Grammar, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics. Candidates must receive a passing score of 70% on both the Grammar and Reading Comprehension sections and a minimum composite score of 60% for all three sections to move forward in the process. Study guides are available through the testing company website for a nominal fee.
Oral Board Examinations:The oral board examinations will be held in-person or via Zoom video conference on Thursday, July 9, 2026, for those candidates who successful pass the written examination. Candidates will be assigned the time for their oral board after written examination is completed.
The City of Punta Gorda is a Drug Free Workplace, Equal Opportunity and Veterans' Preference Employer. All elements of the selection process shall be job related and the criteria for selection of candidates is not based upon a candidate's race, color, religion, sex, age or national origin.
Example Of Duties
- Observe, detect, and apprehend violators of traffic and other laws;
- Observe and take appropriate action regarding any hazards to the community and any illegal criminal activities;
- Respond to emergency calls for service and assist the Fire Department and EMS as necessary;
- Conduct investigations as needed;
- Determine appropriate action to be taken at each incident;
- May be required to complete a written report of various activities during a shift.
- Complete all appropriate forms when required for an incident, including reports to other local or state law enforcement agencies, departmental forms, logs, and summaries;
- Complete the processing of evidence, as needed;
- Review necessary reports and documentation of incidents.
- Provide testimony concerning an incident, as may be required by the court; and safely operate a police motor vehicle in an emergency-mode.
Typical Qualifications
- Must possess a high school diploma or equivalency.
- Associate degree in police science, sociology or related field preferred.
- Must meet the minimum requirements as established by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
- Previous experience dealing with the general public preferred.
- Must possess a valid Florida driver's license.
- Must possess a current Florida Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Certificate, or be able to acquire it within six months of being hired by the Department.
Supplemental Information
KNOWLEGDE / SKILLS / ABILITIES
- Knowledge of local and State statutes, laws, ordinances, and the necessary procedures for their enforcement;
- Knowledge of the use of emergency communication equipment, codes, and response protocols;
- Knowledge of the use of technical equipment including but not limited to: computers, cameras, and radar units;
- Knowledge of the use of law enforcement equipment, including but not limited to: personal safety devices, firearms, non-lethal weapons (TASER, baton, subject control spray), and suspect restraints;
- Knowledge of defensive tactics techniques and techniques for restraining suspects;
- Knowledge in operating a police vehicle, including a high-speed pursuit, proper placement during an incident and/or traffic stop, and proper general care and maintenance;
- Skills in the use of emergency communication equipment, codes, and response protocols;
- Skills in the use of technical equipment including computers, cameras, and radar units;
- Skills in the use of law enforcement equipment, including personal safety devices, fire arms, non-lethal weapons (TASER, baton, subject control spray), and suspect restraints;
- Skills in operating a police vehicle, including a high-speed pursuit, proper placement during an incident and/or traffic stop, and proper general care and maintenance;
- Ability to identify and analyze problems, evaluate alternative solutions, and make sound judgments;
- Ability to move quickly and forcefully in response to unexpected situations;
- Ability to maneuver and work in a variety of ground conditions;
- Ability to operate patrol vehicles in emergency mode;
- Ability to get in and out of a patrol car on a frequent basis;
- Ability to successfully pass a physical skills and agility test.
Code: Constant = 2/3 or more of the time Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time N/A = Not applicable
Heavy lifting (45 lbs.. and over) - X
Moderate lifting (15 to 44 lbs.) - X
Light lifting (under 15 lbs.) - X
Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over) - X
Moderate carrying (14 to 44 lbs.) - X
Light carrying (under 15 lbs.) - X
Reaching above shoulder - X
Use of fingers - X
Both hands required - X
Climbing (use of legs and arms) - X
Climbing (legs only) - X
Good near vision - X
Good distant vision - X
Both eyes required - X
Depth perception - X
Distinguishing basic colors - X
Distinguishing shades of colors - X
Good hearing (with or without hearing aid) - X
Straight pulling - X
Pulling hand over hand - X
Pushing - X
Walking - X
Standing - X
Crawling - X
Kneeling - X
Bending - X
Balancing - X
Stooping - X
Jumping - X
Running - X
Throwing - X
Driving (cars, small vans, pick-ups, etc.) - X
Driving & operating (heavy equip., trucks, etc.) - X
Environmental Conditions :
Code: Constant = 2/3 or more of the time
Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time
N/A = Not applicable
Environment - Constant - Frequent - Occasional - N/A
Work Inside - X
Work Outside - X
In the Heat - X
In the Cold - X
In High Humidity - X
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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