Entry Level Police Officer

Overview

To apply please submit your application through Public Safety Testing and select City of Arlington.

Public Safety Testing - City of Arlington - Police Officer

Individuals perform assigned law enforcement work necessary to maintain public peace and order, to protect life and property, to prevent crime, to apprehend suspected violators of the law, and otherwise to ensure enforcement of State laws and City ordinances.

Note: salaries listed are 2026 salaries.

• Patrol the city by vehicle. Maintain continual observation of areas patrolled including residential, business, rural and industrial facilities; observe for evidence of illegal activity in progress or which has already occurred or any other irregular activity which indicates need for attention.
• Patrol on foot as necessary to perform job thoroughly. Investigate conditions such as open doors, broken windows, and vehicles parked in suspicious locations.
• Use portable or car-mounted radio transmitters/receivers as necessary to exchange any and all job-related information.
• Enforce motor vehicle operating regulations. Apprehend violators, issue warnings or citations and make arrests or take other action as deemed warranted by the circumstances. As necessary, coordinate such activities with other law enforcement or government agencies in accordance with established policy.
• Operate radar unit to discover speed violations, perform routine radio checks of vehicle identification against current stolen vehicles and identify outstanding arrest warrants.
• Investigate and assist drivers and pedestrians in difficulty. Resolve such situations or refer to proper authorities.
• Direct traffic during abnormal situations such as accidents, fires or periods of congestion.
• Perform crowd control activities at public gatherings as warranted under particular circumstances including dispersal of unruly individuals or groups.
• Develop detailed knowledge of city street system, airport facilities, landmarks, local activities and habits of citizens and suspected or known criminals, and other patterns of public activity.
• Respond to any and all emergency calls, including traffic accidents, public or private altercations, robberies, burglaries, thefts, industrial or home injuries, water accidents and deaths.
• Respond to personally sensitive calls such as family disturbances, missing persons and domestic altercations. Exercise caution relative to personal safety, safety of others at scene; take appropriate steps to calm the parties as necessary to resolve the immediate situation.
• Assess the nature and urgency of the problem upon arrival at the scene of call, immediately determine the circumstances and persons in relation to nature of call, whether situation warrants routine or emergency handling, and whether other officers or superior officers should be called to the scene.
• Upon arriving at scene of crime, arrest or detain suspects for probable cause as warranted; take all steps necessary to preserve and control crime scene; may assist in the initial investigation, including interview of victim and witnesses.
• Report to scene of accidents; as necessary, administer first aid; summon medical personnel; control accident scene; interview principals, witnesses; prepare general sketch of accident scene noting details; and, complete standard accident report. Issue citations or make arrests as situation warrants.
• As required, make arrests or detain suspects employing level of physical force necessary only to control individuals as warranted under circumstances; handcuff and search individuals; advise individuals of rights; and transport to County Detention Facility.
• Appear in court to present evidence, facts, details of circumstances, and otherwise testify against persons accused of crimes; respond to questioning and cross- examination from prosecuting and defense attorneys.
• Prepare written reports of sufficient legibility and clarity that others without knowledge of the incident or situation can readily comprehend the facts, and assure that the reports can serve as the basis for subsequent investigations or for court proceedings and testimony; requires narrative writing, noting identifying…