This Police Trainee position offers an opportunity to serve one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the nation as part of the Houston Police Department. The role involves paid academy training and a path built on professionalism, training, and community service, preparing individuals for a career in law enforcement.
Responsibilities
Serve the community in a wide variety of roles and situations
Involve patrol responsibilities, community engagement, problem-solving, enforcement of laws, and responding to emergencies
Apply critical thinking, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills in dynamic and often unpredictable situations
Gain practical experience necessary to understand community needs, develop decision-making skills under pressure, and build operational knowledge
Serve a minimum of three years in patrol, handling calls for service, conducting investigations, and interacting with diverse communities
Requirements
At least 48 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university with a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average; OR
At least three years of full-time employment in the last four years in any field; OR
A minimum of 18 months active duty in the United States armed forces and received an honorable discharge; OR
At least three years of full-time employment as a peace officer licensed by TCOLE or an equivalent licensing entity in another state
Possess a high school diploma or GED equivalency
Be at least 20½ years old at time of application (must be 21 prior to academy graduation)
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)
Have a valid driver’s license and proof of liability insurance
Have a stable employment history
Pass all phases of the application process
Meet all Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) minimum standards for enrollment and initial licensure
Nice to have:
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.
Benefits
Paid academy training
City-subsidized insurance, including mental health plans, prescription drug plans, dental and vision packages
13 paid holidays plus at least 35 paid days off per year after the first year of employment
Tuition reimbursement plan for officers interested in obtaining a degree
Millions of jobs, with real people getting hired every day
200,000+
New jobs added daily
7,000,000+
Verified job listings
1,000,000+
Tailored applications submitted
Unparalleled Prenatal, Parental, and Infant Leave plan (up to 160 hours 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
Various deferred compensation plans are available
Annual incentives such as equipment and clothing allowance, shift and weekend differential pay, patrol and investigator pay, as well as bilingual pay that take effect after probationary period
Educational incentive pay after graduating from the academy for higher education degrees: Bachelor's Degree $3,640 per year, Master's Degree $6,240 per year, Doctorate Degree $8,840 per year
Tuition reimbursement rates per credit hour: $492 for Bachelor (B.A.), $541 for Master (M.A.), $988 for Master of Business (M.B.A.), $541 for Doctorate (Ph.D.), $1,175 for Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Important Details
Schedule: Various, subject to change
Contract: Newly sworn officers who successfully complete the police academy, field training program, and probationary period are typically assigned to one of fifteen patrol divisions
Team: More than 5,400 officers and 892 civilian support personnel
Application Process
Application process generally takes 90 to 180 days and includes multiple phases
Phase One consists of four required steps that must be completed before your initial interview
Complete all required forms and gather all supporting and eligibility documentation before scheduling your interview
Submitting the NeoGov application is Step 3 of Phase One in the HPD Recruiting Application Process; this application alone does not complete Phase One
Visit HPDCareer.com to review all required documentation, complete all required forms, and follow the additional steps outlined in Phase One
Physical Agility Test
Reading Comprehension Test
Weapon Compatibility Test
Polygraph Examination
Psychological Evaluation
All new hires and re-instatements must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical agility test, reading comprehension test, polygraph examination and verification of information provided
Safety Impact Position
This position is subject to random drug testing and is subject to drug testing for promotions and certain assignments.
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.
All police officers are eligible to take the promotional exam to first line supervisor (Sergeant) after 4.5 years of service. Subsequently, promotional opportunities require a minimum of two years for each rank.
About the Company
The Houston Police Department's mission 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. As the fifth largest agency in the nation, HPD sets the bar for professionalism, innovation, and a progressive approach to community policing, serving over 2 million Houston residents.
Home to a respected and energetic cultural arts scene, celebrated restaurants featuring flavors from 35 countries, world-renowned theater groups and the brains behind U.S.
