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Posted by: AFchris77

I heard a rumor that Florida Sheriffs Dept. and Florida Law Enforcement agencies have different qualifications and exceptions for employment and academies.

I'm in the Air Force Security Forces (new name for SP) and I heard that Florida accepts the Security Forces Tech School as an academy. Is there any truth to this? Also, do any other states accept this as a transferrable academy as well? And how do Florida and those other states use veteran's preference? Mass bumps you up on the list and gives you 2 points added to the test. Anything like that for FL. the other states?

Thanks guys i appreciate it....

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Posted by: leoinfl

Hi, thank you for serving. As for having your AF training accepted, I don't know that they'll do that. You can check in with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) or the training commission. I've never heard of them doing so, I had military guys in my academy class, so I would be willing to say no to that. Veterans always get points etc., but FL thankfully is much different and isn't part of the civil circus, I mean service system like in MA!!! I was living in MA and got a job down in FL and moved down there and went through the academy. You don't have all of the politics like you do up here where you have to wait forever to get on etc. I'd suggest looking at your bigger cities or Sheriff's Offices' down there. You'll get great training and technology in most places down there and no cold long winters!!! Good luck.

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Posted by: AFchris77

i appreciate it. yea it looks like there's some kind of transition academy for military and law enforcement transfers. im all about leaving the winter behind...its those hurricanes that are crazy haha. thanks for the info

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Posted by: PearlOnyx

AF,

The hurricaine season is hit or miss. Some years it's not bad at all. I'm going to get struck by lighting this summer now for saying that =) As leon mentioned, I'd check with FDLE regarding what they will accept and will not accept. I had the Mass. DOC academy and the Reserve Intermittent academy, and while I was applying I had heard that Florida would take that (similar to an SSPO waiver), which turned out not be true. There is a fee to get you training evaluated to determine if they will accept it, but they have some pretty common sense stuff on their website that should help you.

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Posted by: SPS5592

I have a guy in my squad that was prior LE in Army, he had to do a 2 week crossover.

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Posted by: Macop

AFchsri77, the FDLE DOES accept MP academies. In my research of city pds I found a few other that do, i wish I could remember, I will post if I can find the info, but I know that Florida does. Look at Chipola Communty college in FL, they have the easiest crossover academy I have seen.

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Posted by: BSP4141

i have a friend that got hired at boynton beach with his a.f. academy, he just did a two week course and took the state exam.

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Posted by: Foxy85

Ehh...I've heard different things.....I've e-mailed a FHP recruiter and she told me that they DO NOT accept MP academies of an sort.....but maybe thats just the FHP....

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Posted by: PearlOnyx

As far as FHP, I don't speak for the agency as far as what they do and do not accept, but there were several Army MP's in my class, so I imagine that they do not accept the millitary academies. On a side note, even previously certified applicants and laterals are required to attend a shortened version of our academy, after the recruits complete the training required to take and pass the state certification. The "crossover" academy is basically alot of traffic, and other agency specific training.

From FDLE, Hope This Helps:

The Equivalency of Training process is for Out-of-State/Federal Officers and/or previously certified Florida officers with a four year or more break-in-service pursuant to section 943131(2), Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) 11B-35.009(4)(5). The Equivalency of Training process is an avenue by which an officer can request an exemption from the full academy.

You may be eligible for an exemption from the full basic training requirements if you were an officer in another state or with the federal government and meet the following requirements: (1) you worked at least one year, full-time as a sworn officer in the discipline you are seeking exemption; (2) you received training in that discipline which is comparable to Florida's full basic curriculum and/or; (3) you were previously certified in Florida. There can be no more than an 8 year break in employment, which is measured from the separation date of the most recent qualifying employment to the time a complete application CJSTC-76 is submitted for exemption. In order to become a certified officer in Florida, you will need to demonstrate proficiency in the high liability areas and pass the state certification exam in the same discipline within 1 year of receipt of the approved Equivalency of Training Form (CJSTC-76 revised 7/01/02).

By law, criminal justice employing agencies or selection centers are responsible for reviewing out-of-state or federal officer's employment and training to initially determine eligibility for exemption. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement does not determine a person's eligibility. Upon collection, verification and authentication of documentation which establishes that you meet the training and experience requirements, a criminal justice employing agency or an assessment center must submit a completed Equivalency of Training Out of State/Federal Officer form CJSTC-76 (pdf) to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for approval. (The applicant does not complete the CJSTC-76 form)

Documentation of one year's experience as an out-of-state or federal officer may consist of authentic copies of one or more of the following:

• payroll records
• employment records
• verification of employment letters/affidavits
• Documentation of prior training may consist of authentic copies of the following:
  • training records from prior employers
  • training records from academies
  • transcripts
  • curricula summaries
  • certificates of completion
  • verification of training /letters affidavits

Once the request is processed, and if approved, you should then enroll in the appropriate pre-exam training (if you choose), demonstrate proficiency in the high liability areas, and take the state certification exam.

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Posted by: NegroRotary

You have to give them your curriculum from the academy in the AF and they will tell you yes or no, if they say yes, all you have to do is a 2 wks training so you can pass the state exam to get certification if not, you have to do 760 hrs of academy training unless they change it since I went trhough in 2004.

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Posted by: SPS5592

better off staying away from FHP...they arent paid much at all for what they have to cover, trust me alot of them arent happy where they are.

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Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPS5592 better off staying away from FHP...they arent paid much at all for what they have to cover, trust me alot of them arent happy where they are.

That's good advice, FHP is not an agency I would direct anyone looking to relocate to Florida towards.

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Posted by: PearlOnyx

SP and PBC,

From someone who came from Mass. to Florida, and joined FHP, one positive thing I can say is that they hire a lot of people from out of state. I had a hard time getting on a city department down here because of "local" competition. Personally, I like my job, but if you don't like traffic work FHP is definatley not for you. The money starting out is good depending on what county you end up in, but without step pay after a few years you are far behind other agencies pay wise. I've thought of going elsewhere, but there are some other side benefits that I enjoy, that have made me re-think going elsewhere a little bit down the road. It really depends on what is most important to you. If money is at the top of the list, then a city or county would probably be more approrpiate =)

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Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Florida, unfortunately, has historically paid state cops less than their county/city brothers and sisters, so for this reason, I wouldn't recommend trying FHP first. S FLA offers many opportunties for sheriffs and police, which by their very nature allow for a more diverse law enforcement career, with a greater ability to make money, than one would working for FHP. With that said, if one was looking to just relocate to Florida, FHP is always looking for a few good men/women!!

Sorry Pearl, it wasn't meant to be a shot at our fine, hardworking troopers of the Florida Highway Patrol

PS Don't spend all that "bonus" at one place

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Posted by: PearlOnyx

PBC,

Hah, I'll leave all talk of that bonus alone for right now. South Florida seems to be where all the ruckus is coming from right now, so I'm sure you've heard there's a lot of unhappy campers regarding that situation, but at least the separation bill went through. FHP pay isn't bad if you're in North Florida, but pretty much everywhere else, you're making less than the locals and county. I could get about an $8K per year pay raise right out the door if I went to OPD. Until the legislature addresses pay compression, people will continue to do their two or three years and go somewhere else. But, there are some hidden advantages to FHP that I like, so I'm a bit torn. For now, I like where I'm at and I'll probably stay there.

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Posted by: Mitpo62

Pearl I truly believe you're missing out on something special being a copper back home here in Taxachusetts. What with the ice, snow, freezing rain, cloudy, drizzly days, what in the world could be better? Oh, and let us not forget about the laws of the Commonwealth. You abuse a dog it's a felony; punch a cop it's a misdemeanor. Of course, there's more but time and space limit my ability to expound. Sunshine, palm trees, and more LE jobs than you can shake a stick at. Nope, I just don't understand.....

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Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Quote:

Originally Posted by PearlOnyx PBC, I like where I'm at and I'll probably stay there.

As long as it works for you, thats all that really matters!!

Stay safe brother!!!

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Posted by: Foxy85

What is it about the FHP that has you wanting to stay there....I imagion that there is probably room to move up in rank, being its alarge agency, with alot of people bailing out for higher paying LEO jobs....

I'm just curious as to your reasoning for staying.....Maybe it owuld give other guys positive insight to the FHP

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Posted by: PBC FL Cop

I think it has something to do with FHP standing for Free or Half Price

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Posted by: BSP4141

Just Got My Academy Date For Borward County, Dosen't Start Till July So I'll Be Out Of Here End Of This Month, The Pay There Seems To Be Better Than Most Departments I Interviewed With In Florida. So Good Bye Snow Storms.

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Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Best of Luck!!

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Posted by: PearlOnyx

PBC,

Nah, nothing to do with that. I'm not in to fast food! TMI for the message board =)

Foxy,

If you want to PM me, I'll be glad to discuss the job more in depth with you. This is a public message board, so I don't like to over-discuss things here. As far as promotion though, if you're willing to move around the state, and you test well, there is room to move up.

Mitpo,

I'll never move back. It's so much nicer here, more to do, and although I make less per hour, I take home more than I did in MA with 6 years in, because of the no income tax down here.

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Posted by: leoinfl

BSP, congratulations on getting on with Broward County and good luck with the academy.

MIT, you want to go back? 117 copy the call 377 take the back, fight in progress in the city of progress!!!

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Posted by: Mitpo62

Warning! Warning! Danger Wil Robinson! Resist the urge!

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Posted by: wildman13

what is this i am hearing about fl running into a hiring freeze due to these property taxes?

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Posted by: leoinfl

Warm weather, no ice, no snow keeps officers happy and busy!!!

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Posted by: PearlOnyx

Wildman,

No hiring freeze here in Central Florida. Everybody under the sun is hiring. Property taxes are a big issue with the legislature right now, but no hiring freeze. With the murder rates what they were last year, some of the larger agencies in the area are hiring in the triple digits this year.

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Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Wildman,

The agencies are worried about budgets right now due to the fact the legislature is trying to cut or eliminate property taxes, but like Pearl stated, everyone is still hiring and positions are still available. Additional positions for agencies may be in doubt, however most agencies have existing openings which shouldn't be affected.

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Posted by: wildman13

thanks guys for clearing that up, which dept would i have the best luck with on trying to get hired? i am looking to get on with a sheriffs dept

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Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Broward Sheriff, Palm Beach Cnty Sheriff and Miami-Dade PD are always looking, not to mention all the city PD's.

Good luck

This website may help as well

http://www.fpca.com/fpcajobsregionallists.htm

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Posted by: PearlOnyx

Foxy,

Check your PM box. It is full. I can't return your messages to answer your questions =)

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Posted by: NegroRotary

I might have to move back south, hell might as well use the academy that I already have from FL

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Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Quote:

Originally Posted by NegroRotary I might have to move back south, hell might as well use the academy that I already have from FL

Y'all come back now, y'hear!! We're always looking for a few good men.

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Posted by: PearlOnyx

Negro,

Is your certification still good? It expires after awhile.

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Posted by: PBC FL Cop

I think its good for 6 years.

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Posted by: NegroRotary

I think mine expire Oct 2008, I was looking at either Fort Lauderdale or St. Petersburgh, don't know yet or FHP looking good as well

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