How Old To Be A Police Officer In Texas

Police Departments In Texas

North Texas man files lawsuit against 2 Keller police officers after August arrest

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were over 63,000 police officers working in Texas as of 2017, making this the state with the second-highest number of police and sheriffs patrol officers in the US.4 The metro area of Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land has the fourth-highest employment level of police officers in the US, with over 16,600 officers in 2017.4 The Dallas-Plano-Irving metro ranked seventh, with over 10,600 officers.4

Pass The Post Exam & Become A Police Officer

In order to work as a police officer, aspiring applicants must pass the Peace Officer Standards and Training or Police Officer Standards and Training exam. Commonly known as the POST exam, this is required for each state except Hawaii . Each state has subtle differences in their testing procedure, requirements, and the test itself, so its important to do in-depth research on the test your particular state requires.

Examsfor police officers include not only the POST written examination which includes an evaluation of grammar, reading comprehension, andwriting but other points as well, such as physical agility,medical health, psychological fitness, background review, and an oralinterview. Some states might add other requirements, such as apolygraph test. Once these tests are satisfactorily passed, graduatesare ready to work as police officers. The procedure it takes to getfrom passing the tests to wearing the badge depends on the state andin some cases, the department itself.

Step 6

Houston Police Department Information

The HPD is divided into 13 patrol divisions, which are further divided into districts that have various beats. All Houston police stations are operated and staffed 24 hours a day. Additionally, there are 29 storefront HPD locations that are also found throughout the city, although they are open normal business hours only.

The Houston Police Department also has a Special Operations Unit that consists of seven operational units that include Auto Theft, Crime Lab, Identification, Property, Robbery, Special Operations, and Vice. Within this Special Units group, there are specialized sub-categories that are assigned to Special Unit officers. These officers work in designated assignments such as City Hall Detail, Bike Patrol, Tactical Unit, Patrol, Mounted Patrol Division, DRT Unit, Special Events Unit, and Special Response Group.

The Houston Police Department has always focused on strengthening ties with the local community. In fact, their Community Service Division dates back to the 1970s. One of the citys most successful initiatives is the Positive Interaction Program , which holds monthly meetings that feature speakers from the different divisions such as Burglary and Theft, Homicide, K-9, Helicopters, and so on. The aim of the program is to explain to residents how the divisions work and how they can be best utilized by the community in need of help if the time arises.

Recommended Reading: Is There A Police Report For Every Call

Pass A Polygraph Exam

Many departments require applicants to undergo a polygraph exam to determine their level of truthfulness. In most cases, the polygraph will serve to confirm the information a candidate provided in their supplemental application.

Applicants are given the opportunity to talk about their answers with their polygraph examiner and go even more in-depth with questions. After questioning, applicants are hooked up to a polygraph instrument and asked a series of “yes or no” questions for the purpose of detecting truthfulness or deception.

Impress At Your Police Officer Interview

Austin police officer suffers serious injuries while chasing suspect ...

Many hopeful applicants will be offered an interview during the hiring process. This is an opportunity to get to know you on a personal level, and sometimes that can be enough to land you that coveted job. Here are some questions you might encounter during that interview:

What would you do if you witnessed another officer commit a crime?

If a superior officer told you to do something you knew was against regulations, what would you do?

What de-escalation techniques would you use to prevent a physical altercation?

Would you be able to arrest a family member if you had to?

Describe a time your ethics were tested. How did you handle the situation?

This job can be emotionally challenging. How would you reach out for help if needed?

Give an example of a time when the right thing contradicted the rules of a certain situation. How did you handle that?

What do you consider your greatest strengths in communication? How about your greatest weakness?

Lets keep in touch

Stay up-to-date with the latest education, training, and career trends.

How To Become A Dallas Texas Police Officer

To become a Dallas police officer, candidates must first take the citys civil service exam. This exam tests the applicants general knowledge of math, English, and law. Next, prospective recruits must submit an application to the Dallas Police Department, which includes a preliminary interview-style questionnaire. Candidates who pass this step will be invited to complete a polygraph exam and oral interview with an interview panel. Next, candidates undergo a background check.

Applicants who are still in the selection pool at this stage must then complete thorough medical and psychological evaluations and pass the departments physical fitness exam. Recruits who receive a conditional offer of hire move forward to the next stage of the hiring process, which is training at the Dallas Police Basic Training Academy. Academy graduates complete a further 24 weeks of field training under the supervision of a training officer.

S To Becoming An Hpd Officer

Meet the minimum qualifications for police recruits .

Complete an application, which must be submitted with all required supporting documents.

Attend an initial screening interview.

Pass a reading comprehension test.

Pass a physical agility test.

Complete a polygraph exam and final personal interview.

Undergo a thorough background investigation.

Complete psychological and medical exams.

Accept a contingent employment offer and complete recruit training at the Houston Police Department Training Academy.

Begin working as patrol officer.

You May Like: How Do You Look Up Police Reports

What Is The Salary For Police Officers In Texas

The national mean salary for police officers is $70,000 annually and an entry level police officer in Texas can make as high as $81,742 annually. The highest paying cities in Texas are Pearland , Dallas , and Houston .

The regions in Texas with the largest police departments and which will likely see the biggest growth over the next few years include:

How Hard Is It To Become A Police Officer At Age 50

Arlington police fire officer who fatally shot man following short pursuit

Pre-Service Correctional Officer Training

If you’re looking to start a new career in your 40s or 50s, law enforcement is an option. While minimum age requirements are standard for aspiring police officers, police departments with no maximum age are common. If yours is one of the few that does set a maximum age limit for police, you may have to relocate if you hope to wear the badge.

Tip

While police departments can set a maximum age limit, most do not. Fitness standards for someone applying in their 40s or 50s are often lower than for a 20-something applicant. However, you’ll still have to meet educational requirements and pass a background check.

You May Like: Are All Police Reports Public Record

Finding A Job As A Police Officer

1Look for open police jobs. Find out whether there are openings at your local police department. If there aren’t, you may need to apply for jobs in other towns or cities. Consider factors such as location, cost of living, and crime rate when applying for police jobs.XTrustworthy SourceUS Bureau of Labor StatisticsU.S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related informationGo to source

Most police jobs are not publicly advertised. Call your local department for openings.

Applications vary by department, but most of them are long and complex. Be prepared to wait for months after applying to jobs.

2Pass the department screening tests. Many departments have their own screening tests that are required before an interview. These tests are likely to focus on your ethical and psychological attitudes towards topics such as domestic violence, police brutality, racial bias, and mental illness.XResearch source

3Pass background and drug tests. Its common for departments to administer drug and background tests before the interview even takes place, so be prepared to provide the necessary information with little warning. You may need to provide a hair or urine sample, a copy of your credit report, and full biographical information.XResearch source

Be sure to tell the department beforehand if there is any reason you may not pass a test. For example, if you have recently purchased a house, your credit score might not be accurate.

How Old Can You Be To Go Into Law Enforcement

Becoming a law enforcement officer is often the dream career of many regardless of their age. A lot of people, however, do ask themselves if they are too young or too old to go into law enforcement. There are minimum age limits set by each state, and some states set a maximum age as well for going into law enforcement. There is a listing of the police officer requirements for each state. When it comes to actually getting hired by an agency, as does not matter as much as how well the applicant is prepared for the job, and the competitive selection process.

Mastering the Police Interview quite often turns out to be the real determining factor for the successful candidate. If you are able to handle your oral interview well, you can present your age as an advantage, regardless of the actual number. Younger candidates have the privilege of being open to learn and adopt the habits of the agency they apply for, while older applicants bring a lot of life experience with themselves.

Yet, if you are still wondering what is the best age to apply for a law enforcement officer, below you will find more details about the minimum and maximum age requirements, as well as some useful tips on how to prepare for the job while still in your teen years.

Don’t Miss: How To File A Lawsuit Against A Police Officer

Interview With The Police Department Board

When you pass the required tests, the last step in the application process is an interview with the police department board. In this interview, law enforcement officers from the department ask questions on many topics, such as your interest in the role, your credentials, what you might do in certain situations and how much you know about Texas law and the department where you want to work. Interviewers score your responses, and if you’re among the candidates with the highest scores, they may select you for the role.

San Antonio Police Department

The San Antonio Police Department has requirements similar to what the state has set down, but with a few notable exceptions. The minimum age here is 20 years and 6 months, and you cannot be more than 45 years old. A high school diploma or GED is acceptable, but if you obtained GED, a minimum of 12 completed hours from a college or university is required.

The academic training is 33 weeks long, and the physical training lasts 12 weeks. During this period youll go through two-hour physical training, do CrossFit workouts and take part in running regimens. Members of the SAPD will also learn defensive tactics, life saving skills and how to drive emergency vehicles.

Don’t Miss: Why Would A Police Department Call Me

How To Become A Police Officer: Your Step

By on 02/10/2020

There are plenty of Hollywood movies out there that detail the rigorous physical training involved in becoming a cop. You might even be able to picture the obstacle courses, shooting ranges and tactical scenario training rooms. These are all important elements of police officer trainingbut they only make up one portion of the process.

Given the high level of responsibility and trust afforded to law enforcement, the standards for becoming a police officer are higher than what youll likely find in many careers. The specific standards and process will vary slightly based on the state, county or town youre applying to work in, but there are a few universal requirements to become a police officer you should be familiar with.

If youre wondering how to become a police officer, youre in the right place. Keep reading for a high-level breakdown of the path to pursuing a career in law enforcement.

Complete Coursework & Field Training

The coursework involved in a program that leads to work as a police officer can vary depending upon the institution and the degree level. For instance, those in a training academy will dive right into the nitty-gritty of everyday police work and not touch on general education requirements, such as you would find in an associate degree program. In both the associate and the bachelors program, students will encounter not only general education courses and several possible electives, but they will also focus on the core courses for police officers, such as those in criminal justice, ethics, corrections systems, communication, and more. Heres a good idea of courses you might encounter, either in the core curriculum of the degree program or at the police academy:

Patrol Procedures

Step 5

You May Like: Do Police Officers Get Life Insurance

About The Saginaw Police Department

Saginaw is a growing, dynamic city, located in the northwest quadrant of Tarrant County, Texas. Our population has increased over 50% since 2000, and the Police Department has grown to keep pace. Our current population is over 20,000 and is expected to exceed 23,000 in the next few years.

The Police Department currently has 41 sworn and 14 non-sworn full-time positions. We operate under two divisions – operations and support services. The department also staffs a SWAT team, trained to respond to critical incidents within the city.

Opportunities exist to work in Community Services, Criminal Investigations, Patrol, School Resources, Traffic, Training, Communications, Records and Detention.

How To Become A Police Officer In Houston

The Incredible Moment Police Rescue a Texas 8-Year-Old

Houston, Texas is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation and has a population of over 2.3 million people.1 Houston has a higher-than-average crime rate compared to the US overall, but a lower-than-average crime rate for a city of its size.2 Approximately 5,200 sworn officers work for the Houston Police Department, helping keep crime rates low.3 The process of entering the Houston police force is described in detail below.

Recommended Reading: Where Can I Adopt A Retired Police Dog

Salary Benefits And Jobs Outlook

Salaries for the Houston Police Department can vary depending on experience and education. Recruits and probationary officers earn an annual salary of $42,000.4 After training and one year of service, officers earn an annual salary of $49,917 after two years, $55,041 and after three years, $56,419.4 The department offers educational incentive pay as well officers with a bachelors degree earn an additional $3,640 per year officers with a masters degree, an additional $6,240 and officers with a doctoral degree, an additional $8,840.4 The average annual salary for a Houston patrol officer is $65,070.5 Officers receive benefits such as health and life insurance, generous paid time off, and tuition reimbursement. Police officers also participate in the citys defined benefit pension plan, which includes options for early retirement.

The Houston Police Department is continually recruiting qualified candidates to join the force. Overall, jobs growth for cops in Texas is expected to reach 16.4% through 2026, equating to 1,045 new jobs per year.6 For more information on current Houston law enforcement positions, take a look at our state job board page.

Houston Police Officer Training Prerequisites And Educational Requirements

To qualify for a police officer position with the Houston Police Department, candidates must be US citizens between 21 and 44 years of age, meet weight and height requirements, have a clean criminal history, possess a valid driverâs license, and successfully complete the HPD hiring process. Candidates must also have at least 48 semester hours of college credit with a minimum GPA of 2.0, though the education requirement may be waived with previous military or law enforcement experience. The HPD also looks at candidatesâ employment and credit histories accounts in collections may be grounds for disqualification from employment. Conviction of a Class A felony or misdemeanor at any time or of a Class B misdemeanor within ten years of the application date are automatic disqualifiers. Any tattoos or body art must be fully covered by the official uniform.

Eligible applicants who complete the hiring process move on to the Houston Police Department Training Academy, which is a six-month program that includes academic learning as well as physical training. Though the program is Monday through Friday, cadets are prohibited from working or attending non-academy classes during the six-month training schedule. After graduation, recruits complete a six-month probation period, the first 12 to 16 weeks of which are completed while partnered with a Field Training Officer.

Read Also: Can Anyone Access A Police Report

How Does Police Academy Training Work

No matter which program you choose, before beginning work at a police department, you will have to enter a police academy for formal training. This training will consist of various elements that prepare you for life as a police officer, including training it the classroom, field training that walks you through the rigors of the day-to-day work, and in-service training that allows you to begin working with the public on a probationary basis. Heres more about police academy training:

Classroom education

The classroom curriculum will focus on a variety of subjects, ranging from the law itself to administrative and department procedures. Cadets will also learn not just what the law is, but how to apply it in the real world. For example, a police officer may know that probable cause is required for a warrant to conduct a search, but what about the exceptions where a warrant isnt needed? Or what should the officer do or say if an individual contests the validity of the warrant? Much of this classroom training will be necessary before field training can take place or to put the hands-on skills into context.