Become an Officer

Step 1.To be considered for employment by this agency, you will need to complete a comprehensive background investigation through PASS.

This process is necessary for in-state and out-of-state candidates. The Clearwater Police Department exclusively uses the Police Applicant Screening Service (PASS) to conduct all of our background investigations on potential candidates. 

If you are not yet certified in the state of Florida, but are certified in another state, you may qualify for an equivalency of training course. This two-week certification course will allow you to earn certification in Florida. Please visit St. Petersburg College for further information regarding this option.

If you have not attended an academy, but are interested in a career in law enforcement, you may visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a list of requirements for state certification, along with other information.

Step 2.Fill out the career interest form.

Career Interest Form

Step 3.Once the chief of police has decided to fill any vacancies, your PASS file will be examined, and a pre-interview will be scheduled with qualified candidates.

This is why it is imperative you complete a file with PASS. After the pre-interviews are conducted and you meet the criteria set forth by the agency, you will be placed on an eligibility list to begin the formal interview process.

Step 4.If you have already completed the PASS process, please send a follow-up email containing your PASS file number and a current copy of your resume for review.

Please make sure your PASS file is updated as well. Failure to do so could result in a delay in the process.

Step 5.Please do not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions you may have.

You may email Sergeant DiVincent (Jeffrey.DiVincent@myclearwater.com), or Corporal Phelps (Melody.Phelps@myclearwater.com) for additional information or questions.

Step 1.Must be at least 19 years old

Step 2.No illegal use of controlled substances, which include the following:

• Use of marijuana within the past six months.
• Habitual use of marijuana (more than 10 times).
• Illegal use of other controlled substances.
• Bought, sold or offered to sell any controlled substance.
• Illegal use of any controlled substance as a police officer or reserve police officer.
• Use of alcohol not compatible with required moral character (three or more alcohol-related arrests)

Step 3.Excessive traffic offenses that resulted in driver license suspension as follows:

• No conviction of a criminal traffic charge within the last five years.
• A minimum of three years from date of last suspension for excessive points/or cause.
• No suspensions for financial responsibility within the past 18 months and the applicant must prove insurability.

Step 4.Excessive traffic violations not amounting to suspension/revocation.

Step 5.Three or more moving violations within the last two years will be just cause for deferring processing.

Step 6.Deliberate omission and/or falsification of the personal history form.

Step 7.Any theft that would constitute a felony crime.

Step 8.Gambling that results in arrest and/or conviction.

Step 9.Detected and undetected felony crimes as an adult. Juvenile cases will be judged on an individual basis.

Step 10.Delinquent indebtedness.

Step 11.Must be certified or certifiable per the requirements in F.S.S. 943.13 and have a minimum of 60 semester hours of college credit from an accredited college or university, or have received an honorable discharge from active duty in one of the armed services, having successfully completed a regular enlistment of at least three years without early separation, or are currently certified as a law enforcement officer, having successfully completed two years of service, not including academy attendance.