Police Cadet

About the role

To provide a safe environment for students and patrons of the district by performing assigned duties upon completion of a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) approved Basic Peace Officer Course.

Responsibilities

• Take and pass examinations covering a variety of topics in the Basic Peace Officer Course curriculum.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 80% while attending the Basic Peace Officer Course.
• Successfully complete all practical examinations administered during the Basic Peace Officer Course.
• Complete all assignments on time.
• Participate in physical training designed to teach the importance of physical fitness in law enforcement.
• Maintain availability for special events or training outside of the Basic Peace Officer Course when necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age by the start of the next scheduled Basic Peace Officer Course.
• Must successfully complete the initial hiring interview board.
• Must maintain a minimum uncorrected vision of 20/100 in each eye, corrected to 20/20 in each eye, with normal color vision.
• Must meet all minimum employment requirements.
• Must meet Killeen Independent School District response time requirements.
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License by date of hire.
• Must successfully meet the department's physical agility standards for applicants.
• Must successfully meet and maintain the department's physical standards upon completion of the Basic Police Officer Academy.
• Must be able to meet all licensing requirements of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).
• Must be of good moral character.
• Must successfully complete physical examination and psychological test and other job-related tests during the hiring process.
• Must submit to a thorough, comprehensive background investigation prior to appointment.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and two years related experience in law enforcement.
• Must be willing to work extended hours, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Must possess proficient computer skills, including experience using PC and laptop computers with Windows 7 and 10, and Microsoft Office.
• Must be able to operate and qualify with a pistol and (if required) rifle in accordance with TCOLE standards.

Skills

• Ability to learn applicable laws, ordinances, and firearms proficiency and handling.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in evaluating situations and making decisions.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers and supervisors.
• Ability to deal courteously but firmly with citizens, students, staff, and parents.
• Ability to learn District's geography.
• Ability to learn and operate tools and equipment including police vehicle, police radio, radar, handgun and other weapons, handcuffs, ballistic shield, cell phone, body-worn camera, mobile data terminal, records management systems, first aid equipment, and safety equipment.
• Ability to read, write, and interpret documents such as policies, rules, law books, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write essential reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before members of the board of trustees, administrators, teachers, students, parents, law enforcement agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to exercise discretion between ethnic and cultural differences.

Certificates & Licenses

• Valid Texas Driver's license.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Must possess the physical strength and skills to restrain combatants and apply accepted defensive tactics.
• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, and sit.
• Required to operate a vehicle for extended periods.
• Occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• Must be able to do moderate lifting and carrying of 15-44 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• During the training academy, the employee is in a classroom environment.
• During the field training process, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions.
• Frequently works near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places, and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.
• Periodically exposed to persons who represent a danger to health and life.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Special Instructions

To ensure eligibility as a Texas Peace Officer, individuals not already licensed must undergo a recruit-training course at a TCOLE-approved police academy. This comprehensive program includes classroom and field instruction covering fundamental police procedures, techniques, and laws. Following successful completion of the police academy training, the field training process commences. As a newly commissioned sworn officer, the employee undergoes on-the-job training and gains valuable experience under the direct supervision of an experienced training officer.

Newly commissioned sworn officers shall give a two-year commitment to the Killeen Independent School District or shall be subject to reimbursing the district for costs associated with training and equipping the officer to qualify as a licensed Texas Peace Officer.

Pay

Starting pay for Police Cadet is MT6 of the paygrade. Upon completion of the program, pay will be increased to the MT8 paygrade.