If you’re interested in becoming a police officer in Texas, there are several ways to get started. You can go through the Texas Police Officer Standards and Education Commission (POST) certification process, which will require you to complete training at a police academy before you can be hired by a law enforcement agency.
You must be at least 21 years old to apply for POST certification, but there are no upper age limits. You must also be a US citizen or have permanent legal residency status, have a high school diploma or equivalent on file with the department, and be eligible for employment in the state of Texas. If you meet these requirements, then you should be able to apply for certification through POST’s basic course curriculum.
Once accepted into the program and completed all necessary requirements for training, you will receive your peace officer license from the state of Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). This license allows you to work as an officer for any local, county or state law enforcement agency within the state of Texas.
How To Become Police Officer In Texas
The field of law enforcement offers many exciting opportunities for people who want to help keep their communities safe. Learning about becoming a police officer in Texas can help you discover what to expect during this process and take the next step in your career.
In this article, we explore what a police officer does, the requirements for the role, how to become a police officer in Texas and the average salary and job outlook for this role throughout the state.
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What does a police officer do?
A police officer, sometimes called a peace officer in Texas, is a government employee who protects the lives and properties of citizens, maintains order and helps prevent crimes by enforcing laws. Police officers may work for city, county, state or federal law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Some of their primary duties include:
- Patrolling designated areas within their jurisdiction
- Responding to emergency calls about accidents and crimes
- Arriving at the scene of emergencies to investigate
- Issuing citations for minor offenses, such as traffic infractions
- Apprehending and arresting suspects in criminal cases
- Providing first aid and CPR until medical professionals arrive
- Questioning witnesses, suspects and victims to determine circumstances
- Using the information they gather to help solve crimes
- Testifying in court during criminal trials
- Educating the public about safety and crime prevention
Related: Corrections Officer vs. Police Officer: What’s the Difference?
Texas police officer requirements
Before you can apply to become a police officer in Texas, it’s important to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications for the role. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) maintains basic requirements, but the police department where you want to work may have additional criteria for eligibility. Candidates 18 to 20 years of age and have an associate degree, 60 or more college credit hours or an honorable discharge from the military after at least two years of service can apply to be a police officer in Texas. Otherwise, the minimum age is 21. Here are some other basic requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- United States citizenship
- No criminal convictions
- Valid Class C Texas driver’s license
- Ability to possess firearms and ammunition legally
- No evidence of drug dependency
- No mental or physical conditions that could interfere with the job
Related: Things To Consider Before Becoming a Police Officer
How to become a police officer in Texas
The process of getting a job as a police officer in Texas depends on the department where you apply. Here are the general steps you can take to become a police officer in Texas:
1. Apply for a job as a police officer
Once you’ve determined that you meet the state requirements and the requirements of the police department where you want to work, you can apply for a job as a police officer. You can check for openings on job search websites like Indeed, government websites and police department social media pages. Departments often accept applications for several weeks and may have many interested candidates, so remember that it may take a few months to receive an update on your application.
Related: How To Become a Police Officer
2. Take the required tests and assessments
If the police department selects you to continue with the application process, the next step is to complete the mandatory evaluations. These tests determine whether you have the legal, moral, physical and mental abilities required to succeed as a police officer. The department may administer its own tests in addition to TCOLE assessment requirements, which include a:
- Drug test
- Background check
- Health exam
- Physical assessment
- Psychological assessment
- Written exam
Related: Guide To Understanding Career Assessments
3. Interview with the police department board
When you pass the required tests, the last step in the application process is an interview with the police department board. In this interview, law enforcement officers from the department ask questions on many topics, such as your interest in the role, your credentials, what you might do in certain situations and how much you know about Texas law and the department where you want to work. Interviewers score your responses, and if you’re among the candidates with the highest scores, they may select you for the role.
Related: 32 Police Oral Board Interview Questions (Plus Sample Answers)
4. Attend a police academy
If you receive and accept a job offer, the police department sends you to a police academy near you to complete a classroom curriculum and practical training. There are many police academies, also called Basic Peace Officer training courses, throughout Texas that TCOLE endorses throughout the state, and they typically take a few months to complete. During the program, you may learn about and practice many concepts relevant to your new role, such as:
- Texas penal code
- Crisis intervention
- Arrest procedures
- Search and seizure
- Firearms training
- Defensive tactics
- First aid and CPR
- Driving techniques
Read more: FAQ: What Do You Do in the Police Academy?
5. Pass the TCOLE licensing exam
After successfully completing the police academy, you’re eligible to take the TCOLE licensing exam. This test evaluates how well you retained the knowledge and skills you learned in your training program and qualifies you to work as a police officer legally anywhere in Texas. Many law enforcement professionals take the TCOLE licensing exam, and the requirements are different for each role. Police officers take the most extensive version of the test, which includes 250 questions on topics like:
- Professional policing
- U.S. and Texas laws
- Firearms use
- Rules of the road
- Emergency medical services
- Communication
- Alcohol and drug codes
- Multicultural issues
- Personal wellness
Related: 9 Law Enforcement Certifications To Advance Your Career
6. Complete field training
Once you receive your license, you can begin working in the field as a police officer under the supervision of an experienced law enforcement professional called a field training officer (FTO). During field training, the FTO provides you with support and guidance in applying the concepts you learned in the academy in real-world situations. Field training specifics vary by department, but they typically last about six months. After you complete field training, you can work independently as a police officer in Texas.
Related: Q&A: What Are the Working Hours of a Police Officer?
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Salary and job outlook for a police officer in Texas
The salary you may earn as a peace officer depends on many factors, such as your level of education, your experience in other areas of law enforcement or corrections and the department where you work. The average salary for all police officers in Texas is $54,947 per year, and those with 10 or more years of experience earn an average of $76,037 per year. Texas Labor Market Information from the Texas Workforce Commission expects the employment of police officers to increase by 9% between now and 2028.
