Law Enforcement Detective

  • Job Code: S2728
  • Pay Grade:SO
  • Pay Scale:$33.22-$45.70 Hourly; $72,552.48-$99,808.80 Annually
  • Exempt:No

Overview

Perform latent criminal investigations, interrogations, and surveillances for the apprehension and prosecution of law violators. Primary duties include implementation of standard police investigation procedures and techniques to apprehend, indict, and prosecute suspects and to prevent or solve crimes.

Duties & Responsibilities

Note: Depending on assigned responsibilities, employees may perform some or all of the duties below.

  • Patrol areas that present special problems to detect planned criminal activity.

  • Maintain surveillance of known criminals.

  • Conduct criminal investigations.

  • Conduct crime scene investigations to gather, preserve, identify, and evaluate physical evidence.

  • Photograph the crime scene by taking serial photographs.

  • Attend autopsies to collect information.

  • Perform chemical and technical laboratory tests such as preliminary tool mark, ballistic, or cast comparisons.

  • Process film for print preparation.

  • Interview suspects and witnesses; arrest persons suspected of crimes.

  • Prepare reports on work progress and submit reports to superior officers.

  • Prepare applications for search warrants; serve capiases, court orders, and arrest warrants.

  • Testify in court on evidence obtained.

  • Investigate auto thefts, forgeries, and other related offenses.

  • Transport prisoners to state institutions.

  • Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • Considerable knowledge of crime detection and criminal investigation.

  • Working knowledge of state laws and county laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and court procedures related to arrest and evidence.

  • Working knowledge of basic photography techniques and equipment use.

  • Working knowledge of county geography and road network.

  • Skill in the use and care of firearms and other law enforcement equipment.

  • Skill in collecting and preserving diverse kinds of physical evidence for laboratory testing.

  • Skill in mixing chemicals for specific tests.

  • Ability to perform both mechanical and chemical tests to identify latent fingerprints.

  • Ability to draw crime scene sketches.

  • Ability to fingerprint deceased subjects.

  • Ability to act quickly and correctly in emergencies.

  • Ability to handle confidential information.

  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

  • Ability to enforce the law firmly, tactfully, and impartially and to deal courteously with the general public.

  • Ability to meet such specific physical requirements as may be established by competent authority.

  • Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

  • Ability to use a computer and related software.

Minimum Education & Experience

  • A high school diploma or possession of a GED certificate.

  • Four continuous years of time-in-grade as a Law Enforcement Deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) by the time of the Promotion Application deadline.

Additionally, the following are required:

  • Possession of a valid Florida Driver License.

  • Promotion Application.

  • Eighty hours of subject-specific advanced, specialized training, or career development courses.

  • No punitive disciplinary action consisting of a 5-day suspension or greater and/or involuntary or voluntary demotion within the last two years.

  • An overall rating of three “fully acceptable” or better on the annual evaluation in the Employee Performance Management System (EPMS) for the three years prior to the Promotion Application deadline.

  • A rating of three “fully acceptable” or better in each dimensional category on the annual evaluation in EPMS within the one year prior to the Promotion Application deadline.

  • A promotion recommendation from the division/district major (or equivalent authority for those areas without a major).

  • Live within Hillsborough County or within Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Lake, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, or Sumter County as long as the residence is located within the 60-mile parameter of Falkenburg Road Jail at the time of appointment/employment.

Required Pre-Employment Testing

  • Successful completion of the Fitness Challenge within one year prior to the Promotion Application submission.

Additional Job Requirements

  • Attendance at the specified Sheriff's Office work location is required.

  • Depending on assignment, employees may be required to possess a valid Florida Driver License at time of employment. Driving history will be thoroughly reviewed and may be grounds for disqualification.

  • No visible tattoos on face, head, and neck. Tattoos determined to take away from the professional appearance of the Sheriff’s Office must be covered with an appropriate white, black, or neutral covering.

  • No illegal drug sale within lifetime.

  • No illegal drug use within the past 36 months. No marijuana use within the last 12 months.

  • No felony convictions within lifetime.

  • No misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statement, or domestic violence within lifetime.

  • No dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserve Forces.

  • Successful completion of a background investigation including criminal, reference, employment, and neighborhood checks; polygraph; medical evaluation; and drug screening.

Last updated: 3/31/2024