Detention Officer

Qualifications for Employment

• U.S. Citizen
• At least 21 years of age at the time of certification.
• Must never have been on court‑ordered supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years from the date of the court order.
• Must not be currently charged with any criminal offense for which conviction would bar TCOLE licensure.
• Must never have been convicted of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years.
• Must never have been convicted or placed on community supervision in any court for an offense involving family violence as defined under Chapter 71, Texas Family Code.
• Good moral character.
• Stable employment record.
• Good credit rating.
• Good driving record.
• Unsatisfactory driving history is defined as:
  • Three (3) moving violations within the past three (3) years.
  • Three (3) or more moving violations and chargeable vehicle collisions, in any combination, within the past three (3) years.
  • Two (2) chargeable vehicle collisions within the past two (2) years.
  • Evidence of an unsatisfactory driving record may include, but is not limited to, defensive driving courses, driver license returns, and local records checks.
• Must have a valid driver license.
• Must not have a history of drug addiction. Use of any illegal substances or substances with potential abuse, such as prescription drugs, will be evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.
• Must be able to testify as a witness in a criminal court case. Applicants with prior documented disqualifying behavior will not be considered for employment.

• Sixty (60) hours or more of college credit toward a degree plan at the time of hiring.
• Credits from developmental or remedial education courses will not be counted.
• Forty‑five (45) hours of college credit with:
  • Two (2) or more years as a sworn peace officer, active‑duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces with Honorable Discharge, or full‑time employment with the organization at the time of hiring.
  • Or four (4) or more Good/Satisfactory Reserve/National Guard years at the time of appointment.
  • Four (4) or more years of active‑duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces with Honorable Discharge, or four (4) or more years as a sworn peace officer, or six (6) or more Good/Satisfactory Reserve/National Guard years at the time of appointment.
  • Three (3) or more years employed with the organization at the time of appointment.
• All college credits must come from an accredited institution as defined by TCOLE Rule 211.1, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Time credited for experience in each category is mutually exclusive and cannot be combined with other categories to reduce college hour requirements.

Experience level must be continuous and as of the date of the Civil Service examination.