Police Officer

About the role

The City of Bastrop Police Department seeks to hire a Police Officer to join a cohesive and collaborative team dedicated to providing exceptional public service. The department consists of 31 sworn officers and 6 civilian support staff.

Responsibilities

• Responds to calls for police service and takes appropriate action.
• Serves and arrests suspects on warrants.
• Interviews witnesses, victims, suspects, and informants to gather information.
• Provides assistance and service to the public, such as changing tires and directing traffic.
• Responds to emergencies, burglaries, fires, and robberies in progress.
• Conducts initial crime scene investigations, securing and labeling evidence.
• Enforces laws and apprehends violators and fugitives.
• Testifies in court proceedings.
• Maintains records and reports, including traffic citations and family violence reports.
• Maintains current knowledge of laws and trends in law enforcement through workshops and training.

Requirements

• Basic Peace Officer certification from TCOLE.
• A valid Texas Class C Driver's License.
• Completion of all Incident Command Trainings.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of applicable federal laws, state statutes, and local ordinances.
• Working knowledge of crime prevention techniques.
• Working knowledge of principles and techniques employed in crime scene investigations.
• Working knowledge of principles and techniques employed in accident investigations.
• Working knowledge of report and record maintenance principles and practices.
• Considerable knowledge of care and safe operation practices for a variety of firearms and impact weapons.
• Skill in the operation of motorized vehicles under all conditions.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with superiors and the general public.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine proper courses of action within the established framework of policies and procedures.
• Ability to learn the geography of the City and surrounding areas.
• Ability to maintain composure under emergency situations, and to work effectively under stressful conditions.
• Ability to exercise discretion.

Skills

• Understanding of applicable federal laws, state statutes, and local ordinances.
• Crime prevention techniques.
• Principles and techniques employed in crime scene investigations.
• Principles and techniques employed in accident investigations.
• Report and record maintenance principles and practices.
• Care and safe operation practices for a variety of firearms and impact weapons.
• Operation of motorized vehicles under all conditions.
• Communication skills.
• Analysis and decision-making skills.
• Geographic knowledge.
• Stress management and composure.
• Discretion.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including a mandatory retirement plan through TMRS, a voluntary 457 plan, comprehensive medical coverage, HSA, life insurance, paid vacation, paid sick leave, and 13 paid holidays.
• Employment is contingent on passing post-offer, pre-employment drug testing and criminal background investigations.
• Additional pay for night shifts, certifications, bi-lingual skills, and seniority.

Pay

• Starting salary for Police Officer, less than 5 years of police experience: $62,222 annually.
• Starting salary for Senior Police Officer, 5 years or more of police experience: $68,516 annually.
• Additional pay for Intermediate Peace Officer License: $600 annually.
• Additional pay for Advanced Peace Officer License: $1200 annually.
• Additional pay for Master Peace Officer License: $1800 annually.
• Sign-on bonus: $5,000 after completing 3-years of continuous service / additional $5,000 after completing 6-years of continuous service.
• Educational pay: BA $125 per month; Masters $175 per month.
• Bi-Lingual pay: $100 per month.