US MILITARY

The Houston Police Department appreciates and values the service performed by members of the United States military. If you have served at least 18 months of active duty in the United States Armed Forces and received an Honorable Discharge, your 48 hour college requirement will be waived in accordance with TCOLE Peace Officer Minimum Standards. However, an honorable discharge is required.

Active duty military personnel may apply prior to being discharged. A Statement of Service letter with the anticipated discharge type and date from their Command must be provided.

If you have received a general discharge under honorable conditions, you must possess one of the following 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 the 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.
• 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.

The Houston Police Department Training Academy is certified for full-time Veteran’s Administration Education Benefits. Military personnel who are eligible for GI Bill® benefits may receive an additional educational stipend up to $1,600.00 per month from the Veteran’s Administration while being trained at the police academy.

You may visit the Department of Veterans Affairs site at www.va.gov/ to learn more about your GI Bill® benefits. However, each candidate should not complete any forms/paperwork prior to attending the academy. All forms/paperwork will be completed with the Houston Police Department Veteran Affairs Certifying Official.

The Houston Police Department is a proud participant in the Army PaYS (Partnership for Youth Success) and Warriors for Life. If you participated in the Army PaYS Program please review its eligibility requirements. For those marines and sailors interested in participating in the Warriors for Life, you may review its M4L Program information.