Job Outlook

In a more security-conscious society, police services will become more critical. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics by the U.S. Department of Labor, employment opportunities for police officers are expected to increase 7% in the next decade.

Job Potential Earnings

According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Labor Market Statistics, starting annual salaries for police officers and sheriff's deputies in the local metropolitan area begin at $43,000. Typical salaries for officers are about $49,500 per year. Experienced officers may earn approximately $58,000 annually.

Special Notice

Upon completion of this program, the cadet will be eligible to take the Florida State Officer Certification Examination administered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Candidates may be sponsored by a local law enforcement agency.

Full-time (days) and part-time (nights) academies are available.

Florida First Responders Scholarship Program

The Florida First Responders Scholarship Program (FFRS) has been created to assist in the recruitment of law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and firefighters within the state by providing financial assistance to eligible trainees who enroll in a commission-approved training program. The scholarship shall be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. If eligible to be awarded the scholarship, the amount shall be up to, but not exceeding, the costs necessary to complete the student’s training program, less any state/federal financial aid received by the trainee.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the scholarship, the student must:

  • A commission-approved basic recruit training program at a postsecondary institution for the purposes of meeting the minimum qualifications under s. 943.13(9), F.S, for employment or appointment as a law enforcement officer,
  • An emergency medical technician training program under s. 401.2701, F.S., that is approved by the Department of Health as equivalent to the most recent Emergency Medical Technician-Basic National Standard Curriculum or the National EMS Education Standards of the United States Department of Transportation,
  • A paramedic training program under s. 401.2701, F.S., that is approved by the Department of Health as equivalent to the most recent EMT-Paramedic National Standard Curriculum or the National EMS Education Standards of the United States Department of Transportation, or
  • A firefighter minimum standards course training program at a Florida Certified Training Center approved by the Division of State Fire Marshal for the purpose of meeting the minimum qualifications under s. 633.408, F.S. Department of Transportation.

To learn more and apply, click on the Florida First Responders Scholarship Application link under the On This Page section.

State Licensure Information

To determine the state(s) in which the program meets or does not meet the requirements, or if PHSC was unable to determine if the program meets the licensing requirements, see below.

  • Meets: Florida
  • Does Not Meet: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands