BENEFITS

Positions	Base Salary*
Cadet/Probationary Officer	$52,000 and $5000 one-time incentive upon graduation from the HPD Academy
Police Officer	$58,600 - $74,425
Senior Police Officer	$75,779 - $82,976
Sergeant (5+ Years)	$91,004- 95,654
Lieutenant (7+ Years)	$101,326- $107,205
Commander (9+ Years)	$116,743- $ 126,549

Annual Incentive and Specialty Pay

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Education Incentive (paid bi-weekly upon graduation from the academy) 

• $3,640 - Bachelor’s Degree
• $6,240 - Master’s Degree
• $8,840 - Doctorate Degree

Incentive Pay (paid bi-weekly after completion of the probationary period)

• $2,002 Equipment allowance
• $1,820 Shift differential
• $910 1 day weekend premium
• $1,820 2 day weekend premium

• Training Assignment	Bi-Weekly Pay
  Field Training/Field Performance Evaluator	$150
  Field Training Supervisor	$70.00
  Training Sgt.	$70.00
  Field Training Admin Officer	$120.00
  Field Training Admin Sgt.	$70.00
  Special Div. Training Officer	$70.00

   

Specialty Pays (paid based on assignment, skills, years of service and/or experience, most are paid bi-weekly)

• Clothing allowance stays same
• Patrol and investigator pay stays the same
• Bilingual pay stays the same
• Physical fitness and agility stays the same

Annual Leave

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• 20 Days - PTO (Paid Time Off increases up to 40 days based on years of service)
• 15 Days - Personal Days
• 11 Days - Paid Holidays (includes floating holiday
• 15 Days - Paid Military Leave
• 5 Days - PAT (Physical Agility days may be taken for $1,000 pay instead of paid time off)
• Compensatory Time (earned at 1.5 rate/max of 480 hours, may be available based on budget and needs of the department)

Health & Well-being

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• Starting out, parents working for the city will have 320 hours of paid parental leave and 480 hours of paid leave starting Sept. 1, 2023.
• Comprehensive Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental and Vision Insurance for Officers and Families (multiple plans offered)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Life Insurance
• Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Family Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Employee Assistance Program Counseling
• Wellness Program (participation may decrease cost of health premiums)

For detailed benefits, visit https://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

Retirement

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• Defined Benefit Pension Plan with Early Retirement Options
• Deferred Compensation Plan with Multiple Investment Options

Education

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Tuition and Training

• Tuition Reimbursement (per credit hour reimbursement rate: $492 for Bachelor (B.A.), $541 for Master (M.A.) $988 for Master of Business (M.B.A.), $541 for Doctorate and $1,175 for Juris Doctor (J.D.). Note. For classes that commenced prior to July 1, 2022, the rates in the previous Agreement shall apply.
• Military: Tuition Assistance through Veterans Affair (GI Bill® and Hazlewood Legacy Act - http://www.va.txstate.edu/benefits.html)
• College Credits for Academy Training (up to 12 credit hours)
• 26-week Paid Law Enforcement Training And Continued Training Throughout Career

Student Loan Forgiveness

• HPD is a qualified employer in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.
• Details regarding student loan forgiveness, can be found on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board student loans website at http://www.hhloans.com/ under the menu option “Loan Repayment Programs”.
• Senate Bill 16 created a student loan repayment assistance program for Texas peace officers. In order to view the bill in its entirety, refer to the Texas Legislature Online website at www.capitol.state.tx.us/.

Quality of Life

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• Free Metro Transportation (for downtown work locations; includes bus/rail/car pool or park and ride)
• Free Parking at Primary Duty Assignment (at city owned/leased parking facility)
• Various Work Schedules for a Work-Family Life Balance
• Houston Police Credit Union Membership (optional)
• Department Provided Uniforms, Body Armor and Equipment at No Cost
• Paid Overtime or Compensatory Time (may be available based on budget and needs of the department)
• Off-Duty Employment Opportunities
• Career Advancement and Specialized Opportunities in over 45 Divisions

Promotions and Transfers

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The Houston Police Department offers lateral and promotional opportunities in over 45 divisions.

Promotion to Sergeant
A police officer is currently eligible for promotion to the rank of sergeant once they have attained five (5) years of service from their hire date as a cadet.

Promotion to Lieutenant
Sergeants are eligible to promote to the rank of lieutenant after two (2) years in grade as a sergeant and must have attained an associate's degree or completed a minimum of 65 hours towards a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Promotion to Commander
Lieutenants are eligible to promote to the rank of commander after two (2) years. Candidates for promotion to the rank of commander must have obtained a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

Requirements and Appointed Positions

Opportunities

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After an initial three-year period as a patrol officer, an officer will be eligible to apply for transfer to another division. HPD has over 45 divisions including Patrol, Vehicular Crimes, Traffic Enforcement, Mental Health, Gangs, Burglary and Theft, Homicide, Juvenile, Major Assaults and Family Violence, Robbery, Special Victims, Auto Theft, Criminal Intelligence, Cyber and Financial Crimes, Major Offenders, Narcotics, Vice, Crime Analysis and Command Center, Tactical Operations, Special Operations, Airport (Hobby), Airport (Intercontinental), Emergency Communications, Air and Marine, Training, Recruiting, Risk Management, and Employee Services, to name a few.

Testimonials: "Why I Became an Officer"