Non-Certified Officer

To be eligible for employment as a police officer, you must meet the following minimum qualifications at time of application:

• Be a United States citizen (U.S. born or naturalized).

• Have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalent.

• Be at least 21 years of age.

• Possess, or be eligible to obtain a valid Florida driver’s license.

• Must be a Florida State Certified Police Officer or currently enrolled or accepted in a State of Florida Criminal Justice Basic Recruit Training Program by closing date of application.

• Registered with Selective Service.

• Have not been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or control substances in the preceding five (5) year period.

• Have not had a driver’s license suspended under the point system in the past five (5) years, as provided for in the Florida Statute, Chapter 322.

• Have not been convicted of three (3) moving violations in the preceding 36 months.

• Have not used marijuana in the past one (1) year prior to the employment application submission; all other illegal drug use in the past three (3) years prior to the employment application submission.

• Have not failed the WPBPD Background investigation, psychological evaluation or post offer physical, drug and alcohol screening within one (1) year from failure date.

• Have a stable work history free of repeated disciplinary actions, suspensions, terminations, and resignations.

1. Complete the online application

2. Submit all required documents:

1. Background Booklet(PDF, 4MB)

2. CJSTC-58(PDF, 233KB)  

3. CJBAT - Exemption: If you provide documentation of an A.S. degree or above, or a Military DD214, you may be exempt from taking the CJBAT test.

4. Certified Birth Certificate (Must have raised Seal).

5. Naturalized Citizens submit your original lien registration card with photograph.

6. Social Security Card.

7. Florida Driver's License (Full legal name required) *A driving record is required from EVERY state (EXCEPT FLORIDA) in which you have EVER held a valid driver's license within the past 10 (ten) years*

8.  High School Diploma or GED.

3. Tattoo Inspection / Physical Agility Test / Swim Test 

• Tattoo Inspection:

All applicants with tattoos are required to report them prior to beginning the Swim Test. Tattoos are not allowed on the hands (to include fingers, with the exception of a wedding band), neck, or face.  

• Physical Agility Test (click to view the PAT tutorial):

The West Palm Beach Police Department Physical Agility Test consists of the following:

Candidates have a maximum of 6 minutes and 14 seconds to complete the exercises.

I. Begin seated in the passenger seat. Seat Belt Fastened. Both hands on the steering wheel. Door closed.

II. Exit the vehicle. Close the door. Retrieve a flashlight from the trunk. Run 220 yards. Jump over the barrier. Hurdle the obstacles. Serpentine through a series of cones. Low crawl. Drop the flashlight. 100 foot dummy drag.

III. Pick up the flashlight. Low crawl. Serpentine through a series of cones. Hurdle the obstacles. Jump over the barrier. Run 220 yards.

IV. Place the flashlight in the trunk. Pick-up the revolver. With your dominant hand - point the revolver at the ground and pull the trigger 6 times. Switch your support hand and repeat. Place the revolver in the trunk.

V. Sit in the driver's seat. close the door. Fasten the seatbelt. Place both hands on the steering wheel. 

• SWIM Test (click to view the SWIM tutorial):

The West Palm Beach Police Department Swim Test consists of three skills:

I. 50-yard non-stop swim with long pants on (Untimed Event).

II. Surface Dive and Recover a 5-pound object from bottom of pool at a depth of 13 feet (Untimed Event).

III. Tread water for 5 minutes (Timed Event). 

4. Oral Board Interview 

5. Computerized Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) and Fingerprints 

6. Ride A-long Participations - All applicants must complete 2 (two) ride a-longs. 

7. Comprehensive Background Investigation 

8. Conditional Offer of Employment 

9. Post Offer Psychological Evaluation 

10. Post Offer Medical Evaluation, Drug, and Alcohol Screening 

11. Approval by Chief of Police or designee  

• Starting Salary $75,921 

• Take Home Car (Up to 40 miles from the city limits)

• 4 on / 4 off schedule (11.5 hour shifts)

• Holiday Pay

• City Pension (30 years, 3% multiplier)

• 5 year DROP

• Health/Vision/Dental Insurance 

• Health Reimbursement Account Contributions

• Local city clinic

• Paid vacation and sick leave 

• Wellness Program (on-site gyms)

• Tuition assistance

• Pension buy back for military or previous enforcement (up to 5 (five) years) 

• $5,000 Incentive for First-time Police Officers