Lakeland Police Department Opens Applications for Certified Police Officers
Lakeland Police Department Opens Applications for
Certified Police Officers
Lakeland, FL – (June 29, 2026) – The Lakeland Police Department will be accepting applications for the position of Police Officer beginning Monday, July 6, 2026. This recruitment drive is open to candidates who possess the necessary Florida Law Enforcement Officer certification and aims to fill positions with dedicated individuals eager to serve and protect the community.
POSITION DETAILS:
Application Opening Date: Monday, July 6, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.
Application Deadline: The posting will close on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 4 p.m.
Starting Salary: Over $71K * Applicants with experience may start at a higher rate of pay
Additional Compensation: Includes holiday pay, night shift differential, off-duty detail opportunities, salary incentive pay, longevity pay, and more.
Benefits: Pension plan, deferred compensation 457, tuition reimbursement, paid holidays, overtime opportunities and on-duty workout.
*Salary based on October 1, 2026 rates
Applicants must meet one of the eligibility requirements:
- Hold an Active Florida Law Enforcement Certification from a Commission-approved Basic Law Enforcement Academy, Correctional Officer Cross-Over Training to Florida Law Enforcement Academy or Commission Comparable Compliance Equivalency of Training Program.
- Enrolled and accepted into or currently attending a Florida Commission-approved Basic Law Enforcement Academy or Correctional Officer Cross-Over Training to Florida Law Enforcement Academy with an academy start date no later than 60 DAYS from the date of application.
- Met the requirements for the Commission-comparable Compliance Equivalency of Training Program or has been enrolled and accepted into or currently attending the Commission Comparable Compliance, Equivalency of Training Program with an academy start date no later than 60 DAYS from the date of application.
How to Apply:
The link to apply will be posted at JoinLakelandpd.com on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. Additional information related to the position can also be found on the website.
Contact Information:
For further inquiries, please contact:
Officer Wakesha Phidd
Recruiting Officer
Phone: 863-834-6918
Email: joinlakelandpd@lakelandgov.net
The Lakeland Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages all qualified candidates to apply.
More about the Lakeland Police Department:
The Lakeland Police Department was established as a career department in 1885. Today the agency employs 278 sworn officers and 121 civilian support personnel. Dedicated members provide public safety services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for service. The men and women of LakelandPD serve approximately 125,000+ people inside the city limits of Lakeland, Florida. The Lakeland Police Department holds accreditations from CALEA and CFA, demonstrating its commitment to excellence in law enforcement and public safety services to the Lakeland community.