Frequently asked Questions about the hiring process
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is one of the finest Law Enforcement agencies in the country, and as such, employs the best qualified applicants. During the application process, emphasis is placed on a candidate’s CHARACTER. Honesty and integrity it begins with the submission of your application. All information provided on your application, and all other forms submitted for processing, must be true, accurate, and without omission, as well as in all other stages of the testing process. This is a critical component of the process in determining if the “Moral Character” of a candidate is appropriate for employment at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will verify the information through various sources, including an intensive background investigation and a comprehensive polygraph examination.
Top 3 reasons for disqualifications (doesn’t include medical or psych etc.) would be:
Drug Free: Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office policy is: marijuana 1year, hard drugs 3 years.
Poor Employment History: Terminations & recent employer discipline
Omissions/Misrepresentations: Discrepancies between what is listed in the pre-hire questionnaire vs what is divulged during the Polygraph
Excellent Starting Pay
Deputy Sheriff Corrections
$74,712
3+ years Certified Corrections experience $81,600
Deputy Sheriff Law Enforcement
$74,712
3+ years Certified LE experience $81,600
Corrections Recruit
$54,132
After completing Corrections Academy & pass state exam $74,712
If you are not a certified law enforcement officer and you would like to become a certified law Enforcement Officer or Corrections Officer, you must complete a basic recruit training program at a Commission-certified training school or Police Academy.
Learn More about the Basic Law Enforcement & Corrections Academy at Palm Beach State College
https://www.palmbeachstate.edu/career-pathways/pathway-public-safety/default.aspx
Or visit FDLE website
https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cjstc/officer-requirements/how-to-become-an-officer
The hiring process is thorough and generally takes two to three months from start to finish.
YES. If you were a Law Enforcement Officer in the state in which you finished the Police Academy for at least one full year (Not including Police Academy Training hours or Field Training-FTO), you may qualify to complete an Equivalency of Training course in Florida. Visit the FDLE website for information on the Equivalency of Training process.
- STEP 1: Before applying, enroll into an Equivalency of Training (EOT) course.
- STEP 2: After EOT completion, schedule your Florida State Officer Certification Examination.
- STEP 3: Successfully pass Florida State Officer Certification Examination.
Successfully complete all three steps; you may be certified as an officer in Florida. Contact hours: 76
To determine if your out-of-state certification can be accepted in Florida, please visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website by clicking https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cjstc/officer-requirements/eot-faqs
Bargaining unit employees of PBSO under the law enforcement service agreement may not transfer into a specialized unit for two (2) years. Specialized units include and are not limited to (i.e. Narcotics, K-9, Motors, Bomb Squad, Marine Unit, etc.)
Court Services (Law Enforcement):
Upon immediate successful completion of Field Training Officer (FTO) requirements, a memo can be submitted to request assignment to Court Services, which operates out of five distinct locations.
Corrections Specialty units:
Bargaining unit employees of PBSO under the law enforcement service agreement may not transfer into a specialized unit for two (2) years. Specialized units include and are not limited to Gang unit, Programs, Transition Team, Juveniles, Corporals (Training)
Members of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office bargaining unit assigned to a Specialty Unit shall receive an additional 5% assignment pay calculated into their current pay grade or step.
Are you a certified Training Officer (FTO) and have the dedication and desire to train new officers?
Field Training Officer (FTO) Pay Structure
Certified Field Training Officers (FTOs) who are assigned active FTO duties by their command receive assignment pay. This pay starts at 5% of their current pay grade and step, with an additional 5% (for a total of 10%) awarded after completing their third year of active FTO service.
Uniforms and required equipment are furnished by the department including firearms, with the exception of shoes.
Yes. Assigned vehicles shall ordinarily be authorized for law enforcement deputy sheriffs and employees where a take home vehicle would be appropriate based on the employee’s job function. Such assignments will usually be made following completion of their Field Training.
Unit members will only be assigned a take home vehicle if they reside in the following counties: Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Hendry, Broward and Okeechobee.
PBSO has the discretion to limit or discontinue assignment of vehicles.
Yes. Beards will be worn in a manner that projects a professional, image on the agency as a whole while in civilian attire and uniform.
No. No Excessive tattoos, body ornamentation, or intentional disfigurement that cannot be completely covered by a dress collar, long sleeves, or long pants. (Two visible tattoos no greater than 3″ x 3″ each in size on any arm, leg, or combination thereof are permissible).
Yes. All new law enforcement and corrections employees, including those with prior experience, are required to complete the New Hire Program which consists of two phases. Phase I is classroom and high liability and Phase II is field training.
Typical Shift Schedules:
- Road Patrol: Day Shift: Work Fri-Sun; Off Mon-Tue; Work Wed-Thurs; Off Fri-Sun. Night Shift: Four Days On, Four Days Off (Rotating).
- Court House: Courtroom/Courthouse Deputy: Mon-Fri (weekends/holidays off). Some Courthouse Deputy shifts may involve evenings and varying rotations.
- Corrections Department (Main & West Detention Centers): Shifts vary by security assignment (A-Shift: Overnight, B-Shift: Morning, C-Shift: Afternoon).
Florida Retirement System (FRS)
The Florida Retirement System is a state-administered retirement program for employees who are employed in regularly established positions. Employees may choose to participate in the FRS Pension Plan or the FRS Investment Plan. New hires are given eight months following the employee’s month of hire to elect membership in the FRS Pension or investment plan.
FRS Pension Plan
The FRS Pension Plan is a traditional, defined-benefit retirement plan. For employees hired prior to July 1, 2011, vesting occurs after six (6) years of service. For employees hired on or after July 1, 2011, vesting occurs after eight (8) years of service.
FRS Investment Plan
The FRS Investment Plan is a defined contribution plan where employees allocate employer and employee contributions to available investments. Vesting occurs after one (1) year of service. The benefit for this plan is based on how much money is contributed to an employee’s account and how well that money grows over time when invested. Employees choose from several available payout options when the benefit is taken.
FRS Early Retirement
If employee takes early retirement (at least eight (8) years of service but have not yet reached age 65 for civilians or age 55 for sworn), the amount of the retirement benefit will be reduced by 5% for each year, prior to normal retirement.
FRS Contribution Rate
The employee and employer are required by law to contribute a percentage of the employee’s retirement eligible salary. The employee’s contribution rate is 3%. For more information on the employer’s contribution rate, visit www.frs.fl.gov.
