Recruit Information

Current Opportunities Link

(To print this page use the print button on your browser)

The City of Margate offers many excellent employment opportunities within the police department. The police department offers employees the opportunity to grow professionally, while earning top pay and benefits. The Margate Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Margate is approximately 9.4 square miles and is located in northwest Broward County. The police department earned National Accreditation in 1994 and achieved re-accreditation in September 1997, 2000,  2004, and 2006. The police department was also accredited by the State of Florida in June of 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2007.

The Margate Police Department is committed to providing professional service to the citizens of Margate. Officers are encouraged to enroll in career development classes at the Institute of Public Safety located at Broward Community College. The department provides each officer with all the tools and equipment needed to provide the best service to the public, including a well maintained patrol vehicle, a yearly uniform allowance, foul weather gear, a bullet proof vest, a departmental firearm and leather.

Margate was chartered as a city in 1955, and incorporated as a city on June 22, 1961. In the 1960s, with a population of only 5700, Margate attracted northern retirees to the quiet retirement areas the City offered. Today, the population has grown to over 54,000 people. Margate’s current population reflects the same proportionate changes in ethnic diversity as seen in Broward County’s multi-cultural population. To meet the recreation needs of the younger population Margate has 20 parks. The two newest are the crown jewels in Margate’s park system, The Sports Complex on Banks Road and Firefighters’ Park on Rock Island Road.

The Police Department is comprised of three Bureaus: Field Services which includes the Patrol Division, Traffic Unit and Crime Analyst; Investigative Services which includes the Criminal Investigations Division, Victim Advocate, Special Operations Division (Narcotics, Domestic Security and Forfeitures); Support Services which includes the Administrative Services Division, Professional Standards Division, Communications Division, and the Neighborhood Policing Division. The department also encourages officers to become State certified instructors for in-service training: firearms instructors, armorers, field training officers, defensive tactics instructor, officer survival, non lethal weapons, CPR-First Responder, infectious diseases and blood-borne pathogens, and human diversity instructor.

Salary for recruits enrolled in the Police Academy is $32,500 and $44,195 at graduation. Top pay for a patrol officer is reached in 10 years and is $67,395.  Officers can also earn up to $1,560 per year in State educational incentive monies.

Patrol officers work an 11-½ hour day, four days on and four days off. Officers currently receive overtime pay at time and a half if they work over their scheduled hours. This time may also be taken in compensatory time to be taken at a later date. Court is paid at time and a half, with a three hour minimum (depositions, trials, traffic).

The City Of Margate is a member of the Florida State Retirement System (FRS), a non-contributory system, paid entirely by the City. A retired officer can collect 3% per year of his/her average 5 high years of salary at age 55 or 25 years of service. FRS members can participate in a Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP), which offers a lump sum in addition to monthly retirement payments.

Employees receive 12 holidays a year. Sworn police officers receive 96 hours of holiday compensatory time on October 1, every year.

Officers accumulate vacation time as follows:

    1-5 years: 2 weeks annually

    5-10 years: 3 weeks annually

    10 or more years: 4 weeks annually

The City is self-insured and provides three plans from which an employee can choose. The City offers an HMO, PPO and EPO Health Care Plan. The amount of pay period contribution depends on the plan selected, as does the amount paid at the time of medical service, and the amount of the yearly deductible. The City also has a prescription plan.  The co-payments are based upon the type of medication that is prescribed.

The City provides a $35,000 life insurance policy for members of the collective bargaining unit. This policy applies to all members whether on or off duty.

The City provides a death benefit which entitles the officer’s spouse and children, or estate, to be paid 2-year’s salary in the event the police officer is killed in the line of duty.

Officers accumulate 3.69 hours of sick leave (12 days a year) per pay period (There are 26 pay periods a fiscal year).

The City offers a 457 deferred compensation plan (similar to a 401K, but contributions are made solely by the employee). The contributions can be invested in several different accounts. The contribution is deducted each pay by the City. Representatives from deferred compensation providers are always available for consultation.

Employees receive three days bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member. An additional day may be granted with the permission of the City Manager for attending funerals out of state.

Credit Union enrollment is available through the Human Resources Department.

The current contract allows for books and tuition reimbursement up to $2,500 plus 100% reimbursement for books per year, providing the officer receives at least a “C” in a job related college course, or a course as part of an Associate’s, Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree program.   

Following successful completion of the Field Training Program, officers are issued a take home vehicle.

To become an officer an applicant must meet the following minimum requirements:

1) At least 21 years of age,

2) A citizen of the United States ,

3) A high school graduate or equivalent,

4) Not have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, which involves perjury or a false statement.

Individuals wishing to apply for the position of police officer with the City of Margate are required to successfully complete the following:

1. The Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT), administered by the Institute of Public Safety at Broward Community College. The score is valid for two years. 

2. C.J.I. Motor skills test (good for six months)

3. C.J.I. Swimming test (good indefinitely)

These test results must be submitted with a completed City of Margate application for police officer. These applications are good for six months. All test scores must be kept current to be eligible for consideration.

As needed, the city tests for police officer candidates.  The CJBAT score, and the oral examination scores are averaged and a list is established based on that average. Certified officers can waive the CJBAT and take a 70 for the written score, but this is not recommended.

Intensive backgrounds are done on all applicants. A criminal history, driving history and employment history are done during each background investigation. Candidates are then given a truth verification test, physical examination, psychological test and an entrance screening examination. The Chief of Police has the pick of any of the top three at entry-level positions.

Those appointed as police officers will attend the Institute of Public Safety at the Broward County Police Academy. After graduation the new officers spend a week in orientation then sixteen weeks in a structured Field Training Program. The probationary period for all new City of Margate police officers is 18 months and starts on the date of appointment.

For additional information contact The City of Margate Human Resources Department at (954) 972-6454, or Investigator Melinda Smith, Personnel and Training, at (954) 935-5447, or e-mail the Department at backgrounds@margatefl.com.

Revised: 05/07/2008