Police Civil Service Exam 8.15.26

Summary

Please be advised that the City of Lancaster will be administering a Civil Service Entrance Examination for Police Officers on Saturday, August 15, 2026. In order to receive a ticket number and study guide, you must complete the online application & upload the required documents at www.lancaster-tx.com, click on the Employment Opportunities icon.

LATERAL PAY & HIRING INCENTIVE

The LATERAL PAY & HIRING INCENTIVE is given to CERTIFIED/EXPERIENCED APPLICANTS.

Required For Exam Eligibility

• No Police Pre-Certification is required to take this exam.
• Must meet all legal requirements necessary to become eligible for future licensing by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
• Must possess a current valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• Must be at least 21 years of age and meet all eligibility requirements of Texas Local Government Code, Section 143.023 of the Texas Fire and Police Civil Service Law and Lancaster Local Rules.
• Must have a High School Diploma; OR G.E.D. Certificate with 12 college credit hours (with a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale); OR 24 months active duty in U.S. military (with proof of honorable discharge - DD214 - Member 4 copy).
• Must meet all physical requirements.
• Must be U.S. Citizen.

Exam Details

The Police Officers Examination will be administered at 9 A.M. **Note: The Physical Agility Test will be administered immediately after the Entrance Exam for those who pass the Language Skills Exam. Bring proper clothing and shoes to participate in the physical activity. (All questions pertaining to the Physical Agility Test should be referred to Lieutenant Joseph Brickett at 972-218-2718.)

Application Process

• The Entrance Exam will be administered at the Lancaster Recreation Center; 1700 Veterans Memorial Pkwy; Lancaster, Texas 75134.
• Proper Identification will be required in order to be admitted to the Examination.
• The Entrance Examination will consist of language skills.
• Study guides will be provided to applicants from the Human Resources Department after receipt of a complete online application.
• A ranked eligibility list will be maintained for one year unless the list is exhausted.
• All applications and required documents should be submitted online at www.lancaster-tx.com-Employment Opportunities by the deadline of 4 P.M. on Thursday, August 13, 2026 in order to be included for the Examination.

Pay Information

• Non-certified officer appointments start at $52,497.12 annually.
• Upon completion of the academy the pay will be $78,473.55.
• Certified officer appointments start at $78,473.55.
• Top pay (after seven years) is $97,769.94 annually.
• Newly hired applicants may be given prior credit for up to six years of verifiable, full-time service as a peace officer and started as high as Step 6 with an annual salary of $94,467.29.
• Longevity and overtime pay are provided according to Civil Service law found in Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code.
• The Lancaster Police Department pays additional incentives for Intermediate, Advanced and Master Peace Officer certificates from TCOLE.
• A $2,500.00 hiring incentive, paid half at hire and half upon successful completion of the field training program, is provided to applicants who are certified by TCOLE.

Benefits

• The City of Lancaster offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees which includes: health care; paid holidays, vacation time, sick leave, retirement, longevity, tuition reimbursement and more.

Questions

• Are you at least 21 years of age by the date of the examination?
• Have you uploaded a copy of your high school diploma, high school transcript, or GED documentation, whichever applies to your eligibility?
• Have you uploaded a copy of your current valid driver’s license?
• I understand that failure to upload the required documentation, or uploading incorrect/incomplete documentation, may result in my application being considered incomplete and may make me ineligible to take the Police Civil Service Entrance Examination.
• I understand that once my application has been processed and my eligibility has been verified, I will receive a test number and study guide from Human Resources. The test number will serve as my ticket for the exam and must be provided at check-in on the day of the examination.
• Are you a certified Peace Officer in Texas?
• Are you a certified peace officer in a different state? If so, which state?
• Do you hold a basic Peace Officer license?
• If certified, have you uploaded your Peace Officer certification?
• How many years of peace officer experience do you have?
• Do you possess a TCOLE operator's license?
• Are you currently enrolled in an accredited law enforcement academy?
• Name and address of current accredited law enforcement academy? (if applicable)
• Were you a military police officer?
• I understand that if I have military experience, I must provide a copy of my DD214 to receive military credit.
• Please provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.