Police Officer; Out-of-State Lateral

The Position

The purpose of this position is to protect and serve the property and citizens of the City. The duties include patrolling the City, recognizing and citing offenses, making arrests where necessary, promoting a secure environment, enforcing traffic laws, reporting motor vehicle accidents, investigating crimes, maintaining positive community relations, and interfacing with other City employees and citizens. The position does not provide direction to other employees.

Eligible candidates must meet all the requirements set forth by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). Applicants should verify their eligibility on the TCOLE website before initiating the hiring process. The application process requires relocation to Texas and completion of required courses within six months of employment.

• Promotes a secure environment by patrolling on car, foot, and bike through the City and assigned districts, deterring crime by presence, assisting in high‑risk situations, providing special surveillance operations, taking reports, operating police equipment, enforcing state and local laws and City ordinances, subduing combative or uncooperative citizens, making lawful arrests, and keeping the peace on civil scenes.
• Enforces traffic laws by patrolling roadways, responding to calls from Dispatch Center, observing violations and making traffic stops, searching vehicles when probable cause is found, issuing citations or verbal warnings, and filing reports.
• Reports on motor vehicle accidents by responding to accidents, clearing the roadway, interviewing involved parties, observing and recording evidence at the scene, interpreting evidence, making an overall assessment of the incident, taking appropriate actions, issuing citations, and filing reports.
• Investigates crimes by responding to calls for service, interviewing witnesses, victims and suspects, gathering and documenting evidence, submitting evidence, filing reports, issuing citations, taking suspects into custody, and filing charges through the District Attorney’s office.
• Maintains positive community relations by answering citizens’ questions and providing various forms of civic service and assistance, surveying the public to evaluate problem areas and specific needs, and seeking citizens’ opinions on police matters.

• Pathway A – College Credit:
  Minimum of 30 hours of college credits with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and a minimum of two years continuous, full‑time law‑enforcement service responding to calls with arrest powers. Must have performed patrol duties and successfully completed a Field Training Program.
• Pathway B – High School Diploma/GED:
  Minimum of three years continuous, full‑time law‑enforcement service responding to calls with arrest powers. Must have performed patrol duties and successfully completed a Field Training Program.

• Must possess a current and valid driver’s license and be able to obtain a Texas driver’s license prior to employment.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Eligible for certification from TCOLE and meet all requirements for the Out‑of‑State Peace Officer process.

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must be a citizen of the United States.
• Must have at least 30 college credits with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and two years continuous full‑time law‑enforcement service OR a high school diploma or equivalent plus three years continuous full‑time law‑enforcement service.
• Must have been honorably discharged from any and all military service or provide proof of acceptable military re‑enlistment eligibility if prior service is uncharacterized.
• Must have a current and valid motor vehicle operator’s license.
• No convictions of or deferred adjudication for offenses of family violence; no court‑ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years.
• No convictions of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor, nor a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years.
• No criminal charges pending or under indictment and no current court‑ordered community service or probation.
• No excessive traffic tickets or accidents.
• No license revocation or suspension by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
• Be of good moral character.
• Must be able to work shift work, holidays and weekends.
• Must have the ability to read and comprehend training materials, departmental policy, rules, regulations, laws and ordinances.
• Must have the ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other law‑enforcement agencies and the public.
• Must have the ability to learn the use and care of firearms and specialized equipment.
• Must possess 20/20 vision, corrected or uncorrected, with limitations as specified.
• Must possess hearing that meets the specified limitations.