Employment
Officers are in City Hall during a swearing in ceremony
The Gulfport Police Department offers among the finest Florida law enforcement employment opportunities available. Our benefits package, training, equipment, and work assignments are competitive in not only the Tampa Bay area, but throughout Florida. Whether you are a current resident or are looking to relocate to the Sunshine State, consider this gem of a community and its full-service but family-sized agency in your search.
Salary Information
Salary Information
Base Pay (2184 hours at $22.503 per hour) |
Signing Bonus* |
Compensation for Holidays |
Shift Premium Pay |
Uniform Maintenance Allowance |
Shoe Allowance |
Education Incentive** |
Total Minimum Pay--First Year |
$49,146.55 |
$1,000 |
$3,240.43 |
$1,120 |
$400 |
$100 |
$360 |
$55,366.98 |
* Upon conditional offer of employment, subject to reimbursement upon voluntary separation within 36 months of completion of training.
**$30 per month paid to officers with an Associate's Degree from a regionally accredited college or university
**$30 per month paid to officers with an Associate's Degree from a regionally accredited college or university
Left to right: Commander Farrand, Officer Palazzolo, Officer Ramos, Detective Crowson and Sergeant Wiltse.
Additional Benefits
-Police academy sponsorship available.
-Annual leave (vacation) of 84 hours after first year, increasing after three years.
-Annual sick leave of 96 hours with rollover accrual.
-Officers who reside in Pinellas County are assigned a take-home vehicle.
-All uniforms and equipment issued, including body armor and AR-15 patrol rifle.
-Comp time can be earned in lieu of overtime; up to 84 hours may be banked.
-Employee health insurance coverage provided at NO COST.
-Life insurance equal to one year of base salary provided at NO COST.
-AD&D, and long term disability coverage provided at NO COST.
-Tuition reimbursement provided for qualifying coursework at accredited institutions.
-Up to $400 annual reimbursement for Life Scan comprehensive physical exam
Retirement Benefits
-The Gulfport Municipal Police Officers Trust Fund is an independent retirement fund overseen by a local board of trustees.
-The monthly benefit shall equal 2.88 percent of average final compensation times the number of years of credited service.
-Officers may retire at age 50 with at least ten years of credited service.
-Example: an officer who starts at age 21 and retires at age 50 would be eligible for a pension benefit equivalent to approximately 84% of his or her salary at the time of retirement.
-Upon retirement, officers are paid accumulated sick leave, up to 800 hours depending on total accumulation and time in service
-The City also offers a deferred compensation program.
-Police academy sponsorship available.
-Annual leave (vacation) of 84 hours after first year, increasing after three years.
-Annual sick leave of 96 hours with rollover accrual.
-Officers who reside in Pinellas County are assigned a take-home vehicle.
-All uniforms and equipment issued, including body armor and AR-15 patrol rifle.
-Comp time can be earned in lieu of overtime; up to 84 hours may be banked.
-Employee health insurance coverage provided at NO COST.
-Life insurance equal to one year of base salary provided at NO COST.
-AD&D, and long term disability coverage provided at NO COST.
-Tuition reimbursement provided for qualifying coursework at accredited institutions.
-Up to $400 annual reimbursement for Life Scan comprehensive physical exam
Retirement Benefits
-The Gulfport Municipal Police Officers Trust Fund is an independent retirement fund overseen by a local board of trustees.
-The monthly benefit shall equal 2.88 percent of average final compensation times the number of years of credited service.
-Officers may retire at age 50 with at least ten years of credited service.
-Example: an officer who starts at age 21 and retires at age 50 would be eligible for a pension benefit equivalent to approximately 84% of his or her salary at the time of retirement.
-Upon retirement, officers are paid accumulated sick leave, up to 800 hours depending on total accumulation and time in service
-The City also offers a deferred compensation program.
Eligibility Requirements (You must meet these, or your application will not be accepted)
1. Be a citizen of the United States
2. Be at least 21 years of age
3. Have at least three points from a combination of the following:
A. 1 point for every 20 credit hours of post-secondary education from a regionally-accredited college or university
B. 1 point for each year of prior, full-time law enforcement or corrections service
C. 1 point for each year of active duty service in the United States Armed Forces
D. 1 point for each full year of service in a BSA-affiliated law enforcement Exploring program
4. Possess a valid Florida driver's license
5. Have no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving perjury
6. Have no dishonorable discharge from any of the armed services of the United States
1. Be a citizen of the United States
2. Be at least 21 years of age
3. Have at least three points from a combination of the following:
A. 1 point for every 20 credit hours of post-secondary education from a regionally-accredited college or university
B. 1 point for each year of prior, full-time law enforcement or corrections service
C. 1 point for each year of active duty service in the United States Armed Forces
D. 1 point for each full year of service in a BSA-affiliated law enforcement Exploring program
4. Possess a valid Florida driver's license
5. Have no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving perjury
6. Have no dishonorable discharge from any of the armed services of the United States
Application Process
1. Complete the Pinellas Police Applicant Screening Service*
2. Submit a thoroughly-completed City of Gulfport Employment Application and Personal History Questionnaire (use email contacts below to request these documents).
3. Investigative interview: A background investigator will review your PASS file, application, and PHQ with you.
4. Pass the POST exam (a testing instrument used to test knowledge on arithmetic, spelling, writing and reading comprehension)
5. Pass a physical abilities test (click here for details)
6. Oral board: You will be interviewed by a panel of three police supervisors
7. Background investigation: We check criminal, employment, education, driving, financial, and military history. Takes up to 8 weeks
8. Polygraph examination: A certified examiner will ask questions about your application, PHQ, and background
9. Chief's interview: The chief of police will meet you for an interview before a job offer is made
10. Psychological evaluation: A licensed practitioner will evaluate your fitness for duty
11. Medical evaluation: A licensed practitioner will evaluate your fitness for duty, including an 8-panel drug screen
*This process may be waived in certain circumstances. Contact the recruiter for more information.
1. Complete the Pinellas Police Applicant Screening Service*
2. Submit a thoroughly-completed City of Gulfport Employment Application and Personal History Questionnaire (use email contacts below to request these documents).
3. Investigative interview: A background investigator will review your PASS file, application, and PHQ with you.
4. Pass the POST exam (a testing instrument used to test knowledge on arithmetic, spelling, writing and reading comprehension)
5. Pass a physical abilities test (click here for details)
6. Oral board: You will be interviewed by a panel of three police supervisors
7. Background investigation: We check criminal, employment, education, driving, financial, and military history. Takes up to 8 weeks
8. Polygraph examination: A certified examiner will ask questions about your application, PHQ, and background
9. Chief's interview: The chief of police will meet you for an interview before a job offer is made
10. Psychological evaluation: A licensed practitioner will evaluate your fitness for duty
11. Medical evaluation: A licensed practitioner will evaluate your fitness for duty, including an 8-panel drug screen
*This process may be waived in certain circumstances. Contact the recruiter for more information.
For more information
The city of Gulfport is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or other non merit factors.