Police Trainee (Police Classified)
Position Overview
Applications accepted from: ALL QUALIFIED PERSONS INTERESTED
Division: Training Academy / Patrol*
Reporting Location: 17000 Aldine Westfield*
Workdays and Hours: Various*
Our Mission
The mission of the Houston Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in the city of Houston by working cooperatively with the public to prevent crimes, enforce the law, preserve the peace, and provide a safe environment.
Why Join HPD
- Paid academy training
- Competitive pay and benefits
- Opportunities across 45+ divisions
Description Of Duties/Essential Functions
Police officers with the Houston Police Department serve the community in a wide variety of roles and situations. The duties of an officer are diverse and may involve patrol responsibilities, community engagement, problem-solving, enforcement of laws, and responding to emergencies, often under challenging or unpredictable conditions.
Minimum Requirements
- COLLEGE EDUCATION: At least 48 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university with at minimum of a 2.0 grade point average; OR
- WORK HISTORY: At least three years of full-time employment in the last four years in ANY field; OR
- MILITARY SERVICE: A minimum of 18 months active duty in the United States armed forces and received an honorable discharge; OR
- PRIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT: At least three years of full-time employment as a peace officer licensed by TCOLE or an equivalent licensing entity in another state.
Additional Requirements
- Must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalency
- Must be at least 20½ years old at time of application (must be 21 prior to academy graduation)
- Must be a U.S. citizen (born or naturalized) OR An Honorably Discharged Legal Permanent Resident as authorized by Texas Senate Bill 252 (effective September 1, 2023)
- Must have a valid driver’s license and proof of liability insurance
- Must have a stable employment history
- Must pass all phases of the application process
- Must meet all Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) minimum standards for enrollment and initial licensure
PREFERENCES
- Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.
General Information
The Houston Police Department is currently accepting applications for upcoming academy classes, which are held approximately every two to three months. The full application process generally takes 90 to 180 days and includes multiple phases designed to ensure candidates meet all requirements to attend the academy.
Safety Impact Position
Yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and is subject to drug testing for promotions and certain assignments.
SALARY INFORMATION
- Minimum Yearly Compensation (Base Pay): Cadet/Probationary Officer $52,000
First Year Police Officer $78,452
Police Officer (2+ yrs) $80,004 - $121,184
Sr. Police Officer (12+ yrs) $103,323 - $139,946
Sergeant (5+ yrs) $114,645 - $159,928
Lieutenant (7+ yrs) $129,298 - $177,874
Captain (9+ yrs) $ 148,100 - $208,363
BENEFIT PACKAGE
- Excellent, affordable health insurance subsidized by City of Houston. Including mental health plans, prescription drug plans, dental and vision packages, and optional flexible spending accounts, dependent care reimbursements, and short- and long-term disability insurance.
- Unparalleled Prenatal, Parental, and Infant Leave plan (up to 160 hrs for prenatal wellness, 480 hours during first year of child’s life, and 40 hours of infant wellness)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Defined benefit pension plan with early retirement options
- Multiple supplemental retirement plans
- Variety of deferred compensation plans are available.
PROMOTIONAL AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- After an initial three-year period as a patrol officer, an officer will be eligible to apply for transfer to other divisions.
- Officers may pursue assignments that align with their skills, interests, education, and experience in areas such as: Field Operations & Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Special Victims & Homicide, Narcotics & Gang Enforcement, Intelligence & Homeland Security, Traffic Enforcement & Air Support, Airport Operations, Training, Recruiting & Professional Development, Mental Health Response & Emergency Communications, Tactical & Specialized Operations.
Application Procedures
Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the HPD Recruiting Division (you will receive a receipt of your submission of this online application to provide to HPD Recruiting personnel when turning in other documents).
All applicants must go to www.hpdcareer.com to obtain and complete the Personal History Statement and all required documents for submission. To get a list of all required documentation mandatory for day of interview, please go to www.hpdcareer.com. To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/housto