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Explore police hiring resources in Florida.

175 selected agency hiring resources to start your research. This is not a complete Florida agency directory, a live job feed or a list of confirmed openings.

Florida law enforcement certification: choose your route

This state-level guide applies across Florida employers. FDLE’s statutory certification minimums are a baseline; each agency may set additional hiring requirements, tests and deadlines.

New to sworn law enforcement

For Florida law-enforcement certification, FDLE lists a minimum age of 19, U.S. citizenship, a high-school diploma or GED, and statutory background, fingerprint, drug-test and medical requirements. The usual route is in-person Commission-approved basic recruit training, the State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE), then sworn employment with an agency that completes the background investigation and certification paperwork.

FDLE: certification steps and minimum qualifications ↗

Academy entry and tests

Most law-enforcement academy applicants must pass the Basic Abilities Test (BAT). FDLE lists exceptions for qualifying veterans and applicants with an associate degree or higher; a BAT score is for academy eligibility, not an agency hiring rank. The SOCE has three attempts. At an agency’s discretion, Temporary Employment Authorization may allow a hire before recruit training or SOCE completion, but sponsorship is not guaranteed.

FDLE: BAT rules and registration ↗FDLE: SOCE information ↗FDLE: SOCE candidate handbook ↗

Already sworn or previously certified

Eligible out-of-state or federal officers, previously certified Florida officers with a qualifying 4–8 year break, and some Special Operations Forces members may seek Equivalency of Training (EOT) instead of repeating the full academy. Eligibility is reviewed by an employing agency, training center or selection center—not decided by FDLE for the applicant. EOT approval requires high-liability proficiency and the SOCE within one year.

FDLE: EOT eligibility and steps ↗

Reviewed October 30, 2026 · State certification guidance is not a vacancy feed or a promise of sponsored training. Confirm current rules with FDLE and the employer’s live announcement.

Researched agency guides in Florida

10 partial researched agency profiles in this state. Pay and other fields remain unknown where sources have not established them.

Search listed agencies

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County coverage varies by state and remains incomplete. County filters exclude unrecorded locations and do not define jurisdiction. Research filters describe available information, not vacancies.

1 matching listing. Coverage is incomplete; no result does not mean no agencies or jobs exist.

Jacksonville · FL · County sheriff

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

Open agency hiring guide →State hiring and academy guide →
Salary research
Needs confirmation
Researched hiring process & preparation

Partial profile reviewed 2026-10-30. Not proof of an opening.

Department size and hiring context

Reported workforce
JSO reports approximately 3,500 employees, including nearly 2,000 sworn police personnel, alongside corrections and civilian personnel.Page accessed October 30, 2026; source page does not state a staffing snapshot dateJacksonville Sheriff's Office overview ↗

These dated figures provide context, not a live vacancy count or promise of future hiring.

Minimum requirements

  • At least 21, U.S. citizen, valid driver's license, high-school diploma or GED, good physical condition, and a one-mile run under 12 minutes.
  • JSO lists multiple education and experience combinations: for example, a bachelor's degree; an associate degree plus an eligible work, military, or service pathway; or specified military or law-enforcement experience. Review the full current list because the alternatives are detailed.
  • The non-certified pathway is open to selected applicants who meet JSO's requirements; prior sworn police work is not required for every listed pathway.

Selected requirements, not a complete eligibility or disqualifier checklist.

Lateral entry

Separate lateral requirements and training arrangements need confirmation.

Recruiting contact

JSO Police Officer recruiting and recruiter links

JSORecruiter@jaxsheriff.org

Hiring outline

  1. Apply through JSO's police officer recruiting process and identify the non-certified or Florida-certified route that matches your background.
  2. Non-certified candidates complete the required assessment and selection steps; JSO says it sponsors recruit training and pays salary and tuition for candidates selected for a class.
  3. Out-of-state certified applicants should contact a JSO recruiter about Florida equivalency-of-training requirements.

Physical testing

JSO describes a continuous 250-yard Police Physical Abilities Test and separately requires applicants to run one mile in under 12 minutes. Review the official test description and current instructions before preparing.

Benefits

JSO lists paid recruit training for selected non-certified candidates. Confirm current salary, benefits, academy conditions, and any route-specific terms in the current posting.

Hiring incentives

Availability and terms need confirmation.

JSO's stated workforce includes police, corrections, and civilian personnel; it is not a police-officer vacancy count. Academy sponsorship, salary, and tuition are for candidates selected for a class. Review the complete current qualifications and test details with JSO.

Official research source ↗Jacksonville Sheriff's Office overview and workforce ↗JSO recruiters ↗

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Official recruiting resource · vacancy not verified

Only details explicitly shown above have been researched. Current vacancies, deadlines and complete eligibility must be confirmed with the employer. Read the applicable current announcement before applying.

Official source links reviewed: . This is not a vacancy verification date. Hiring information can change; use the employer's current announcement.

Jacksonville Sheriff police officer and recruit careers ↗

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