Lateral Entry Officer

Requirements

• At the time of application, be actively employed or have been employed in the last 180 calendar days, and be in good standing as a full‑time paid police officer for a municipal, county, state, or federal law enforcement agency, or a law enforcement officer in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Navy.
• Federal and military law enforcement officers must meet TCOLE eligibility and Fort Worth Police Lateral requirements.
• By the date of hire, have a total of 2 years of active service with one or more municipal, county, state, federal, or military police law enforcement agencies that employ at least 30 sworn officers and handle a full array of police work.
• Applicants from agencies with fewer than 30 sworn officers will be evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.
• Current police officer applicants for the Lateral Entry Officers Academy must obtain a Texas Peace Officer License via TCOLE prior to graduation (if not already licensed in Texas) and be eligible for the intermediate certificate before completing academy training.
• Out‑of‑state licensed officers will receive the required TCOLE courses and exam from Fort Worth Police.
• Pass a background investigation, medical examination, psychological examination, polygraph examination, and physical assessment test (PAT).
• Be a U.S. citizen at the time of application.
• Not have reached the 51st birthday by the date of hire.
• Present a valid driver’s license and maintain an acceptable driving record.
• Never have received a dishonorable discharge; provide a copy of DD214‑4 if applicable.
• Hold a high school diploma or GED with at least 12 semester hours from an accredited institution of higher education.

Compensation

• Base pay: $7,414 per month ($88,976 annually) for 2‑5 years of experience; $7,784 per month ($93,415 annually) for 6+ years of experience.
• Longevity pay: $4 per month per year of service with the City of Fort Worth, up to 25 years.
• Education incentive pay: up to $300 per month, depending on certification and/or degree held.
• Uniform maintenance allowance: periodic provision.
• Bilingual pay: up to $125 per month upon successful completion of Language Proficiency Tests.

Benefits

• Three weeks paid vacation
• Fifteen days sick leave
• Retirement fund
• Nine paid holidays
• Seven days family sick leave
• Educational and Certificate incentive pay
• Personal paid holidays
• Military leave
• Health and life insurance