The City of West Melbourne is proud to be a Drug-Free and Equal Employment Opportunity Employer! We will consider applicants without regard to age, sex, color, race, religion, national origin or physical handicap as prescribed by Federal and State Laws.

Florida Certified Officers

The Brevard Police Testing & Selection Center (BPTSC) performs testing and screening for the Law Enforcement Academy at Eastern Florida State College. Candidates interested in employment with West Melbourne Police Department should be processed through BPTC as part of their candidate pool. Individuals who were previously processed through BPTC are encouraged to contact them to ensure their files are up to date and meet requirements.

Sworn Law Enforcement Officers

Current standards require police candidates to complete law enforcement academy training and successfully pass the State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE).

Equivalency of Training

Out of state certified law enforcement officers, federal officers, or Florida officers inactive for four (4) or more years may be exempt from basic recruit training and eligible for the Equivalency of Training (EOT).

The City of West Melbourne does not make the determination of eligibility. Contact the Brevard Police Testing Center (or another LE Academy in the State of Florida) to inquire into the EOT program and they may review your documents for possible acceptance into the program (if minimum standards are met).

To request an exemption from basic recruit training and information package, contact the following:
Criminal Justice Professionalism Program, Certification/Records Section at 850-410-8600.

Selection Process

Candidates must meet the minimum requirements for employment as a law enforcement officer under FSS 943.13.

Candidates must meet the minimum requirements for Moral Character in accordance with Florida Rule 11B-2711. 

Candidates will be automatically disqualified if any of the disqualification factors are evident.

Police Officer Applicant Process

• Submit Employment Application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• The recruiter will screen all applicants. Screening will identify candidates who have the desirable characteristics for a vacant position(s). Applicants not selected for an interview may have their applications held on file for a period of 90 days.
• Oral Board Interview - Consists of standardized questions/situations that are asked to each candidate. Candidates will be rated separately by each board member in the following areas: oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, and decision making skills. Candidates who successfully pass the oral board interview will move onto the next step.
• Command Staff Interview - Candidates will be interviewed and a collaborated hiring decision will be made based on their overall performance during the selection process. The Chief of Police will render the final decision on the suitability for employment of candidates and has the option of extending a conditional offer of employment to a candidate(s).

Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment will be scheduled for a polygraph, psychological, medical examination, and drug screening. Candidates will be required to:

• Submit to an extensive background investigation.
• Submit to a polygraph examination with no issues of deception, falsification, or admissions that would violate Department employment standards.
• Pass a psychological evaluation.
• Pass a medical examination.
• Pass a drug screening.
• Complete testing and documentation as assigned.
• Successfully complete State Mandated Training.
• Successfully pass Florida’s State Officer Certification Exam.

Newly hired police officers will be required to pass a field training program before being allowed to perform the duties of a solo sworn law enforcement officer. The Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) is a phase-based program where the new officer receives training and evaluation in agency policies and procedures for carrying out the duties of a police officer. 

The FTEP is normally a one year program divided into three phases: Orientation Phase, Field Training Phase, and Solo Officer Phase. The new officer is a probationary officer for one year.