Florida Statutes
Chapter 943 - Department of Law Enforcement
943.131 - Temporary Employment or Appointment; Minimum Basic Recruit Training Exemptions.



(1)(a) An employing agency may temporarily employ or appoint a person who complies with the qualifications for employment in s. 943.13(1)-(8), but has not fulfilled the requirements of s. 943.13(9) and (10), if a critical need exists to employ or appoint the person and such person is or will be enrolled in the next approved basic recruit training program available in the geographic area or that no assigned state training program for state officers is available within a reasonable time. The employing agency must maintain documentation which demonstrates that a critical need exists to employ a person pursuant to this section. Prior to the employment or appointment of any person other than a correctional probation officer under this subsection, the person shall comply with the firearms provisions established pursuant to s. 943.17(1)(a). Any person temporarily employed or appointed as an officer under this subsection must attend the first training program offered in the geographic area, or the first assigned state training program for a state officer, subsequent to his or her employment or appointment. A person temporarily employed or appointed as an officer under this subsection must begin basic recruit training within 180 consecutive days after employment. Such person must fulfill the requirements of s. 943.13(9) within 18 months after beginning basic recruit training and must fulfill the certification examination requirements of s. 943.13(10) within 180 consecutive days after completing basic recruit training. A person hired after he or she has commenced basic recruit training or after completion of basic recruit training must fulfill the certification examination requirements of s. 943.13(10) within 180 consecutive days after completion of basic recruit training or the commencement of employment, whichever occurs later.
(b) In no case may the person be temporarily employed or appointed for more than 30 months. A person shall not be eligible to transfer to another employer while employed pursuant to this subsection. However, a person who is temporarily employed or appointed and is attending the first training program offered in the geographic area, or has been assigned to a state training program, may continue to be temporarily employed or appointed until the person:
1. Fails or withdraws from a basic recruit training program within the time limits specified in this subsection;
2. Fails to achieve an acceptable score on the officer certification examination within 180 consecutive days after the successful completion of the basic recruit training program within the time limits specified in this subsection; or
3. Is separated from employment or appointment by the employing agency within the time limits specified in this subsection.

(c) No person temporarily employed or appointed under the provisions of this subsection may perform the duties of an officer unless he or she is adequately supervised by another officer of the same discipline. The supervising officer must be in full compliance with the provisions of s. 943.13 and must be employed or appointed by the employing agency.
(d) Persons employed under this subsection are subject to the provisions of s. 943.1395.
(e) Persons who have had a certification administered pursuant to s. 943.1395 revoked by the commission or have voluntarily relinquished such certification shall be ineligible for employment pursuant to this subsection.

(2) If an applicant seeks an exemption from completing a commission-approved basic recruit training program, the employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center must verify and document that the applicant has:
(a) Successfully completed a comparable basic recruit training program for the discipline in which the applicant is seeking certification in another state or for the Federal Government or a previous Florida basic recruit training program. Further, the employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center must verify that the applicant has served as a full-time sworn officer in another state or for the Federal Government for at least 1 year provided there is no more than an 8-year break in employment or was a previously certified Florida officer provided there is no more than an 8-year break in employment, as measured from the separation date of the most recent qualifying employment to the time a complete application is submitted for an exemption under this section. The employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center shall submit documentation of satisfaction of this requirement to the commission; or
(b) Served in the special operation forces for a minimum of 5 years, provided there is no more than a 4-year break from the applicant’s special operations forces experience, as measured from the separation date from the special operations forces to the time a complete application for an exemption under this subsection is submitted. The employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center shall further verify and document the specific training and experience the applicant received during his or her special operations forces service that is relevant to law enforcement. The employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center shall submit documentation of satisfaction of these requirements to the commission.

(3) The commission shall adopt rules that establish criteria and procedures to determine if the applicant is exempt from completing the commission-approved basic recruit training program and, upon making a determination, shall notify the employing agency, training center, or criminal justice selection center. The commission may require an exempt applicant to complete additional training as it deems appropriate based on the applicant’s prior training and experience.
(4) Within 1 year after receiving an exemption, an applicant who is exempt from completing the commission-approved basic recruit training program must:
(a) Complete all additional required training as required by the commission.
(b) Demonstrate proficiency in the high-liability areas as defined by commission rule.
(c) Complete the requirements of s. 943.13(10).
If the proficiencies and requirements of s. 943.13(10) are not met within the 1-year period, the applicant must seek an additional exemption as provided in this subsection. Except as provided in subsection (1), before the employing agency may employ or appoint the applicant as an officer, the applicant must meet the minimum qualifications described in s. 943.13(1)-(8) and must fulfill the requirements of s. 943.13(10).

History.—s. 7, ch. 84-258; s. 72, ch. 85-62; s. 7, ch. 85-224; s. 42, ch. 86-183; s. 2, ch. 86-286; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 7, ch. 93-252; s. 1630, ch. 97-102; s. 3, ch. 97-225; s. 5, ch. 2000-226; s. 3, ch. 2002-205; s. 3, ch. 2003-278; s. 5, ch. 2010-62; s. 3, ch. 2018-46; s. 3, ch. 2019-113; s. 9, ch. 2021-241.

Structure Florida Statutes

Florida Statutes

Title XLVII - Criminal Procedure and Corrections

Chapter 943 - Department of Law Enforcement

943.01 - Short Title.

943.02 - Definitions.

943.03 - Department of Law Enforcement.

943.031 - Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council.

943.03101 - Counter-Terrorism Coordination.

943.0311 - Chief of Domestic Security; Duties of the Department With Respect to Domestic Security.

943.0312 - Regional Domestic Security Task Forces.

943.0313 - Domestic Security Oversight Council.

943.0314 - Public Records and Public Meetings Exemptions; Domestic Security Oversight Council.

943.032 - Financial Crime Analysis Center and Financial Transaction Database.

943.0321 - The Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Center and the Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Database.

943.04 - Criminal Justice Investigations and Forensic Science Program; Creation; Investigative, Forensic, and Related Authority.

943.041 - Crimes Against Children Criminal Profiling Program.

943.0412 - Identity Theft and Fraud Grant Program.

943.0415 - Cybercrime Office.

943.042 - Violent Crime Investigative Emergency and Drug Control Strategy Implementation Account.

943.043 - Toll-Free Telephone Number; Internet Notification; Sexual Predator and Sexual Offender Information.

943.0433 - Soliciting for Prostitution Public Database.

943.0435 - Sexual Offenders Required to Register With the Department; Penalty.

943.04351 - Search of Registration Information Regarding Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders Required Before Appointment or Employment.

943.04352 - Search of Registration Information Regarding Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders Required When Placement on Misdemeanor Probation.

943.04353 - Triennial Study of Sexual Predator and Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Procedures.

943.04354 - Removal of the Requirement to Register as a Sexual Offender or Sexual Predator in Special Circumstances.

943.0436 - Duty of the Court to Uphold Laws Governing Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders.

943.0437 - Commercial Social Networking Websites.

943.0438 - Athletic Coaches for Independent Sanctioning Authorities.

943.0439 - Interviews of Victims, Suspects, or Defendants With Autism or an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

943.045 - Definitions; Ss. 943.045-943.08.

943.046 - Notification of Criminal Offender Information.

943.05 - Criminal Justice Information Program; Duties; Crime Reports.

943.051 - Criminal Justice Information; Collection and Storage; Fingerprinting.

943.0515 - Retention of Criminal History Records of Minors.

943.052 - Disposition Reporting.

943.0525 - Criminal Justice Information Systems; Use by State and Local Agencies.

943.053 - Dissemination of Criminal Justice Information; Fees.

943.0535 - Aliens, Criminal Records.

943.054 - Exchange of Federal Criminal History Records and Information.

943.0542 - Access to Criminal History Information Provided by the Department to Qualified Entities.

943.0543 - National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact; Ratification and Implementation.

943.0544 - Criminal Justice Information Network and Information Management.

943.055 - Records and Audit.

943.056 - Criminal History Records; Access, Review, and Challenge.

943.057 - Access to Criminal Justice Information for Research or Statistical Purposes.

943.0575 - Public Access to Records.

943.0578 - Lawful Self-Defense Expunction.

943.0581 - Administrative Expunction for Arrests Made Contrary to Law or by Mistake.

943.0582 - Diversion Program Expunction.

943.0583 - Human Trafficking Victim Expunction.

943.0584 - Criminal History Records Ineligible for Court-Ordered Expunction or Court-Ordered Sealing.

943.0585 - Court-Ordered Expunction of Criminal History Records.

943.059 - Court-Ordered Sealing of Criminal History Records.

943.0595 - Automatic Sealing of Criminal History Records.

943.06 - Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council.

943.08 - Duties; Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council.

943.081 - Public Safety System Information Technology Resources; Guiding Principles.

943.082 - School Safety Awareness Program.

943.085 - Legislative Intent With Respect to Upgrading the Quality of Law Enforcement Officers and Correctional Officers.

943.09 - Criminal Justice Professionalism Program.

943.10 - Definitions; Ss. 943.085-943.255.

943.11 - Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission; Membership; Meetings; Compensation.

943.12 - Powers, Duties, and Functions of the Commission.

943.125 - Accreditation of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies, Correctional Facilities, Public Agency Offices of Inspectors General, and Certain Pretrial Diversion Programs; Intent.

943.13 - Officers’ Minimum Qualifications for Employment or Appointment.

943.131 - Temporary Employment or Appointment; Minimum Basic Recruit Training Exemptions.

943.132 - Implementation of Federal Qualified Active or Qualified Retired Law Enforcement Concealed Firearms Provisions.

943.133 - Responsibilities of Employing Agency, Commission, and Program With Respect to Compliance With Employment Qualifications and the Conduct of Background Investigations; Injunctive Relief.

943.134 - Release of Employee Information by Employers.

943.135 - Requirements for Continued Employment.

943.137 - Establishment of Qualifications and Standards Above the Minimum.

943.139 - Notice of Employment, Appointment, or Separation; Response by the Officer; Duty of Commission.

943.1395 - Certification for Employment or Appointment; Concurrent Certification; Reemployment or Reappointment; Inactive Status; Revocation; Suspension; Investigation.

943.1397 - Officer Certification Examinations; Fee.

943.14 - Commission-Certified Criminal Justice Training Schools; Certificates and Diplomas; Exemptions; Injunctive Relief; Fines.

943.146 - Securing of Copyrights by the Department and Sale of Department Work Products.

943.16 - Payment of Tuition or Officer Certification Examination Fee by Employing Agency; Reimbursement of Tuition, Other Course Expenses, Wages, and Benefits.

943.17 - Basic Recruit, Advanced, and Career Development Training Programs; Participation; Cost; Evaluation.

943.1701 - Uniform Statewide Policies and Procedures; Duty of the Commission.

943.1702 - Collection of Statistics on Domestic Violence.

943.171 - Basic Skills Training in Handling Domestic Violence Cases.

943.1715 - Basic Skills Training Relating to Diverse Populations.

943.1716 - Continued Employment Training Relating to Diverse Populations.

943.1717 - Use of Dart-Firing Stun Guns.

943.1718 - Body Cameras; Policies and Procedures.

943.1719 - Basic Skills Training Relating to the Use of Electronic Databases.

943.17191 - Continued Employment Training Relating to the Use of Electronic Databases.

943.172 - Basic Skills Training in Victims Assistance and Rights.

943.1724 - Sexual Assault Investigation Training.

943.1725 - Basic Skills Training on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

943.1726 - Continued Employment Training Relating to Diabetic Emergencies.

943.17261 - Department of Law Enforcement; Training Related to Medical Use of Marijuana.

943.1727 - Continued Employment Training Relating to Autism Spectrum Disorder.

943.1728 - Basic Skills Training Relating to the Protection of Archaeological Sites.

943.1729 - Skills Training Relating to Community Policing.

943.17291 - Basic Skills Training in Juvenile Sexual Offender Investigation.

943.17295 - Continued Employment Training Relating to Juvenile Sexual Offender Investigation.

943.17296 - Training in Identifying and Investigating Elder Abuse and Neglect.

943.17297 - Continuing Employment Training in Identifying and Investigating Human Trafficking.

943.17298 - Training in the Recognition of and Responses to Head Trauma and Brain Injury in a Child Under 6 Years of Age.

943.173 - Examinations; Administration; Materials Not Public Records; Disposal of Materials.

943.1735 - Basic Skills Training Related to Use of Force; Use of Force Policies; Contents.

943.1740 - Standards for Use of Force Investigations.

943.1745 - Training Relating to Officer Health and Wellness Principles.

943.175 - Inservice Training.

943.1755 - Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute.

943.1757 - Criminal Justice Executives; Training; Policy Report.

943.1758 - Curriculum Revision for Diverse Populations; Skills Training.

943.18 - Compensation and Benefits Study; Recommendation.

943.19 - Saving Clause.

943.22 - Salary Incentive Program for Full-Time Officers.

943.25 - Criminal Justice Trust Funds; Source of Funds; Use of Funds.

943.253 - Exemption; Elected Officers.

943.255 - Effect of Chs. 80-71 and 81-24 on Prior Rules and Administrative Proceedings.

943.256 - Criminal Justice Selection Centers; Creation.

943.2561 - Definitions.

943.2562 - Advisory Boards.

943.2563 - Advisory Board Organization; Center Oversight.

943.2564 - Center Supervision; Role of Directing School or Directing Agency.

943.2565 - Centralized Information Centers on Prospective Employment Candidates.

943.2566 - Promotions; Feasibility Study to Establish Pool of Evaluators to Assess Qualifications.

943.2567 - Operation and Administration Accounts; Annual Budget.

943.2568 - Advisory Boards; Expense Reimbursement.

943.257 - Independent Audit Documentation Subject to Inspection.

943.31 - Legislative Intent.

943.32 - Statewide Criminal Analysis Laboratory System.

943.325 - DNA Database.

943.3251 - Postsentencing DNA Testing.

943.326 - DNA Evidence Collected in Sexual Offense Investigations.

943.33 - State-Operated Criminal Analysis Laboratories.

943.34 - Powers and Duties of Department in Relation to State-Operated Laboratories.

943.35 - Funding for Existing Laboratories.

943.36 - Submission of Annual Budget.

943.361 - Statewide Criminal Analysis Laboratory System; Funding Through Fine Surcharges.

943.362 - Forfeiture and Investigative Support Trust Fund.

943.365 - Federal Law Enforcement Trust Fund.

943.366 - Federal Grants Trust Fund.

943.367 - Administrative Trust Fund.

943.37 - Option to Become State-Operated Laboratory; Operational Control.

943.403 - Rulemaking; Criminal Justice Program.

943.44353 - Automatic Notification of Registration Information Regarding Sexual Predators and Offenders.

943.60 - Definitions.

943.601 - Preservation of Legislative Powers.

943.61 - Powers and Duties of the Capitol Police.

943.611 - Director of Capitol Police.

943.62 - Investigations by the Capitol Police.

943.63 - Arrest by the Capitol Police.

943.64 - Ex Officio Agents.

943.66 - Rules; Facilities Program, Capitol Police; Traffic Regulation.

943.67 - Equipment.

943.68 - Transportation and Protective Services.

943.681 - Capitol Police Program; Funding.

943.685 - Authority to Purchase Good Will and Promotional Materials.

943.686 - Unauthorized Use of Department of Law Enforcement Emblems or Names Prohibited.

943.687 - Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission.

943.6871 - Criminal Justice Data Transparency.

943.6872 - Use of Force Data Collection.

943.69 - Care for Retired Police Dogs Program.