Salary: $107,381.00 - $178,797.00 Annually
Location : 1441 FAU Research Park Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441, USA, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 01298
Department: Office of Public Safety
Division: Law Enforcement
Opening Date: 09/16/2026
Closing Date: 9/23/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
This is a sworn command and management classification responsible for leading a patrol watch, unit, section, or other major operational or administrative function. A Police Lieutenant supervises Sergeants and other assigned personnel; directs staffing and deployment; manages significant incidents; reviews operational performance; and translates Department priorities into effective daily operations. The Lieutenant may serve as watch commander, unit commander, or acting division commander. Regardless of rank or assignment, the incumbent remains responsible for performing full police officer duties whenever called upon or operationally required.
Essential Functions The essential functions listed below represent the primary duties of this classification. The City and Department may assign additional job-related functions as operational needs require.- Perform the full duties and responsibilities of a sworn police officer whenever assigned or operationally required, regardless of rank, division, unit, or normal duty assignment.
- Patrol assigned areas; respond to calls for service; protect life and property; preserve the peace; enforce federal, state, and local laws and ordinances; and take lawful enforcement action when appropriate.
- Investigate criminal activity, suspicious circumstances, traffic crashes, and other incidents; interview victims, witnesses, and suspects; identify, collect, protect, and document evidence; and prepare complete and accurate reports.
- Detain, search, arrest, transport, and restrain persons when legally authorized, and use only the level of force objectively reasonable and consistent with law, policy, and training.
- Operate police vehicles in routine and emergency conditions, including emergency response and pursuit when authorized; direct and enforce traffic; and assist motorists and members of the public.
- Pursue fleeing suspects, conduct searches of persons, vehicles, buildings, and areas when legally authorized, and participate in rescue, evacuation, and emergency operations.
- Exercise sound independent judgment when determining reasonable suspicion, probable cause, enforcement options, officer-safety measures, and appropriate courses of action.
- Provide constitutional, unbiased, and professional police services; safeguard the rights and dignity of all persons; and use de-escalation and sound communication practices whenever feasible.
- Engage residents, businesses, visitors, and community partners; identify recurring public-safety or quality-of-life concerns; and participate in collaborative problem-solving and crime-prevention efforts.
- Testify in court, depositions, administrative proceedings, and other official forums; present facts clearly and accurately; and maintain the integrity of reports, evidence, and official records.
- Maintain proficiency with firearms, less-lethal systems, emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, communications equipment, information systems, and other assigned equipment.
- Respond during critical incidents, disasters, civil disturbances, severe weather, special events, and other emergencies, and perform duties within the Incident Command System or other established command structure as assigned.
- Comply with Department policies, City rules, lawful orders, training requirements, records requirements, safety practices, and applicable accreditation standards.
- Uphold rigorous standards of integrity, accountability, discipline, ethical conduct, professionalism, and public trust.
- Command a patrol watch, unit, section, or other assigned function and provide leadership, direction, accountability, and administrative oversight through subordinate supervisors.
- Supervise and evaluate Sergeants and other assigned personnel; review supervisory practices; develop leaders; address performance concerns; and ensure consistent application of Department expectations.
- Plan and manage staffing, deployment, schedules, overtime, special details, equipment, and other resources to meet operational requirements and maintain effective service delivery.
- Serve as watch commander or incident commander for major crimes, critical incidents, significant uses of force, pursuits, emergencies, planned events, disasters, and other complex operations until relieved by higher command.
- Review significant arrests, investigations, uses of force, pursuits, complaints, injuries, vehicle crashes, risk events, and other matters requiring command-level oversight; ensure required notifications, documentation, investigation, and follow-up.
- Analyze calls for service, crime trends, workload, performance measures, community concerns, staffing data, and operational outcomes; recommend or implement deployment and problem-solving adjustments.
- Develop, review, implement, and enforce policies, procedures, operational plans, training initiatives, accreditation requirements, and quality-control processes.
- Participate in recruitment, selection, promotional processes, performance management, internal administrative reviews, employee development, and succession planning as assigned.
- Prepare and manage portions of the operating budget; identify equipment and resource needs; monitor expenditures; and support responsible procurement and asset accountability.
- Coordinate with other Department divisions, City departments, Fire Rescue, criminal justice partners, community stakeholders, and outside agencies on operational and strategic matters.
- Represent the Department at meetings, community forums, interagency functions, and other official activities as assigned.
- Serve in a higher command capacity when designated and perform other duties, responsibilities, and activities as assigned.
Typical QualificationsMINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:All applicants for sworn law enforcement classifications must meet the following common minimum standards:
- Be at least nineteen (19) years of age at the time of appointment.
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Possess a high school diploma or equivalent recognized by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC).
- Meet all minimum qualifications for employment or appointment as a Florida law enforcement officer under section 943.13, Florida Statutes, and applicable CJSTC rules, including requirements related to criminal history, military discharge, fingerprints, good moral character, background investigation, physical examination, controlled-substance screening, required affidavits, training, examination, and continuing training or education.
- Applicants holding an out-of-state law enforcement certification must obtain an active Florida Law Enforcement Officer Certification before selection or appointment to the position, whichever occurs first.
- Possess a valid driver license from any state equivalent to a Florida Class E license and obtain a valid Florida driver license within thirty (30) days of employment.
- Be legally eligible to possess and use firearms and other law-enforcement equipment required to perform the essential functions of the position.
- Successfully complete all City and Department selection, background, and post-offer requirements applicable to sworn law enforcement personnel.
- Maintain all licenses, certifications, qualifications, and mandatory retraining required for continued service as a Florida law enforcement officer.
Classification-Specific Minimum Experience:- Minimum of seven (7) years of full-time sworn law enforcement experience, including at least three (3) years of progressively responsible supervisory experience and at least one (1) year at the rank of Sergeant or a substantially equivalent first-line supervisory classification.
PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:These qualifications are preferred and are not required unless otherwise stated. Applicants are not expected to possess every qualification listed. Relevant combinations of experience, education, training, leadership accomplishments, and demonstrated competencies will be evaluated based on Department needs.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, public administration, organizational leadership, management, or a related field.
- Completion of a recognized command-level or advanced law-enforcement leadership program.
- Advanced training in incident command, emergency management, policy development, accreditation, internal affairs, or organizational leadership.
- Demonstrated experience managing a patrol watch, investigative unit, support function, or comparable law-enforcement operation.
- Experience developing, implementing, or materially improving operational programs, staffing and deployment plans, training systems, policies, performance measures, or law-enforcement technology.
- Experience supervising or managing Field Training, law-enforcement training, background investigations, professional standards, accreditation, traffic, criminal investigations, or specialized operations.
ASSIGNMENT CONSIDERATION AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION:- Police Lieutenants may be assigned as patrol watch commanders or as commanders of Criminal Investigations, Support Services, Training and Field Training, Background Investigations, Professional Standards/Accreditation, Traffic, Specialized Operations, relief, or another operational or administrative unit or section.
- Assignment is not guaranteed and will be based on verified qualifications, Department needs, available assignments, performance during the selection and onboarding processes, and successful completion of applicable Department training. Failure to submit assignment-specific documentation will not, by itself, disqualify an otherwise qualified applicant from appointment to this classification.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, Work Environment and Work Hours KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES- Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, constitutional principles, court decisions, ordinances, and rules applicable to law enforcement.
- Knowledge of modern policing principles and practices, criminal investigation, arrest and search procedures, evidence handling, report writing, traffic enforcement, emergency response, officer safety, and community policing.
- Knowledge of Department and City policies, procedures, rules, and organizational expectations applicable to assigned work.
- Ability to observe, assess, and analyze rapidly changing situations; identify lawful options; make sound decisions under stress; and clearly articulate the factual and legal basis for actions taken.
- Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, orally and in writing, with persons from diverse backgrounds and in routine, emotional, hostile, or emergency circumstances.
- Ability to prepare, review, and maintain accurate reports, records, electronic documentation, and case information.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, City personnel, criminal justice partners, community members, elected and appointed officials, and the public.
- Ability to operate police vehicles, radios, computers, body-worn camera systems, mobile technology, and other law-enforcement equipment and software.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, follow lawful orders, accept accountability, maintain confidentiality, and adapt to changing operational priorities.
- Skill in conflict resolution, de-escalation, interpersonal communication, customer service, and problem-solving.
- Ability to demonstrate conduct consistent with the City and Department mission, vision, values, ethics requirements, and standards of professional conduct.
- Knowledge of command-level supervision, organizational leadership, policy administration, performance management, employee relations, and progressive accountability systems.
- Knowledge of critical-incident command, emergency management, resource deployment, staffing analysis, operational planning, and risk management.
- Knowledge of budgeting, procurement,
