You must have at least ONE of the following four qualifications:

  1. At least 48 semester hours of credit, in any area of study, from an accredited college or university with at least a 2.0 grade point average; OR
  2. A minimum of 18 months active duty in the United States Armed Forces and received an Honorable Discharge; OR
  3. At least three years of full-time employment as a peace officer licensed by Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) or an equivalent licensing entity in another state, OR
  4. At least 36 months of full-time employment, in any field, in the last 48 months.

Additionally, you:

  • Must be 20 ½ (applicants must be 21 prior to graduating the academy).
  • U.S. citizen, (born or naturalized), or
  • Honorably Discharged Legal Permanent Residents - Effective, September 1, 2023, per Texas Senate Bill 252 allows Legal Permanent Residents who are honorably discharged from the US Military with at least two years of service to be peace officers.
  • Must have a valid driver license and proof of liability insurance.
  • Must have a stable employment history.
  • Must pass all phases of the application process.

COMMON DISQUALIFIERS

  • No Class A or Felony conviction or court-ordered supervision or probation.
  • No Class B conviction or court-ordered supervision or probation within the past 10 years.
  • Former military personnel must not have been convicted of any court-martial higher than a summary.

A dishonorable or other discharge based on misconduct which bars future military service, including:

  • Under less than honorable conditions;
  • Under other than honorable conditions;
  • Bad conduct; or
  • Dishonorable.

A general under honorable conditions discharge from any military service requires applicant to meet one of the three other requirements:

  • At least 48 semester hours of credit, in any area of study, from an accredited college or university with at least a 2.0 grade point average; OR
  • At least three years of full-time employment as a peace officer licensed by Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) or an equivalent licensing entity in another state, OR
  • At least 36 months of full-time employment, in any field, in the last 48 months.

Driving record should reflect prudence and maturity. License must not be in danger of being suspended.

Reviewed on a case by case basis. However, there will be no visible tattoos located on the neck or above the neck and no body art such as gauges or facial piercings.

Criminal Justice Employees
Applicants who are current or former Criminal Justice employees have additional standards that must be met. Criminal Justice employees include peace officers, corrections officers, probation officers and military police officers. The following are instances that will be evaluated:

  • Having a law enforcement commission license denied by final order; revoked; or having voluntarily surrendered your license to avoid suspension.
  • Currently on suspension or have a voluntary surrender of license currently in effect.
  • Prohibited by state or federal law from operating a vehicle or possessing firearms or ammunition.
  • Discharged from any commission or recruit position within a law enforcement agency for disciplinary reasons, resigned to avoid suspension or discharge, or having resigned during a disciplinary investigation without a final judgement being rendered.
  • Discharged from any city, county, state, federal or private corrections institution for disciplinary reasons to avoid suspension or discharge or resigned during a disciplinary investigation without a final judgment being rendered.
  • Having a history of sustained Internal Affairs complaints or behavior that indicates poor conduct. Any open IAD cases must be closed before applying.
  1. Vision - Must be correctable to 20/20 or better with uncorrected vision of 20/200 or better. Monocular vision is an automatic disqualifier.
       
  2. Color Vision - Applicant must be able to distinguish the full spectrum of color vision by passing the color vision test. Any applicant who completes the color vision test with two or more crossings in the same direction is automatically disqualified. The use of  X-Chrom contact lens, red filters or any other similar color vision correcting prosthetic device is not permitted.
          
  3. Hearing - Hearing levels should be tested from 500HZ to 6000HZ.
    Minimum hearing standards for applicants are generally concerned with hearing loss in the normal speech hearing frequencies (500, 1000, and 2000 HZ.).
    Pure tone hearing loss in the worst ear be no greater than the following:

    Frequency 500HZ 1000HZ 2000HZ 3000HZ
    Decibel     25db    25db     25db     35db 

    A loss of no greater than 30db at any one of the first three frequencies, and average of four frequencies no greater than 30db.
    Hearing aids: Candidates wearing hearing aids will be held to the same hearing acuity criteria as non-hearing aid users. Use of hearing aids to achieve such standards are permitted as long as they are self-contained and fit within (auricular) or behind or over (postauricular) the ear. Candidates with hearing aids shall at their own expense, provide evidence from a licensed audiologist, that such aid(s) meet the stipulated manufacturer’s standards.
     
  4. Seizure Disorder - Uncontrolled seizures of any kind are disqualifying. Applicants with a history of a seizure disorder must be able to control the disorder by medication, be seizure free for one year, and sign the Notification, Understanding and Commitment Agreement prior to consideration.
     
  5. Diabetes Mellitus - Insulin dependent diabetics who are subject to frequent or uncontrolled hypoglycemic episodes or ketoacidosis are disqualified.


CONTACT & CONNECT

Houston Police Department
Recruiting Division
1200 Travis, Suite 1300
Houston, TX 77002

(713) 308-1300
www.hpdcareer.com
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