Find out about the skills and experience required for law enforcement positions.
Minimum Qualifications for Law Enforcement Positions
To be considered for a sworn position with the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE), you must:
- Be 18 years of age to apply and 19 years old at date of hire.
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Possess an active law enforcement certificate in compliance with Chapter 943, Florida Statutes.
- Have a valid Florida driver's license with no more than four moving traffic violations within the past three years.
- Have not been convicted of any felony or any misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, or domestic violence.
- Have not been convicted of driving a vehicle or operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance within the past five years.
- Have not refused to submit to a breath/blood/urine test within the last five years.
- Have not used cannabis illegally within the last years.
- Have not used illegal controlled substance, other than cannabis, within the last five years.
- Have not been dishonorably discharged from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.
- Have good moral character.
You must have one of the following:
- One (1) year of law enforcement experience, sworn or non-sworn, or
- Two (2) years of work experience.
Two (2) years of active and continuous military service can substitute for the required work experience but will not substitute for the required law enforcement certification. College education can substitute at the rate of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours for the required sworn law enforcement experience but will not substitute for the law enforcement certification.
Requirements for Recruit Applicants
Applicants responding to recruit sponsorship will need to meet all the above requirements with the exception of possessing an active law enforcement certificate. Recruit sponsorship applicants will also need to take the Florida Law Enforcement Basic Abilities Test (BAT) and submit a passing score prior to the deadline date on the job advertisement.
Medical Requirements
To be considered for any position with OALE, you must:
- Pass a thorough medical examination by a licensed physician.
- Pass a psychological evaluation by a psychologist designated by the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement.
- Pass a seven-panel controlled substance screening.
