LOCAL APPLICANTS
The Houston Police Department is accepting applications for entry level officer positions. First, complete the Personal History Statement and the City of Houston NeoGov Application. Upon completion of the aforementioned, print out the Check List and Schedule an Interview. Detailed information regarding the application process can be found under the Application Process tab.
OUT-OF-TOWN APPLICANTS
First, complete the Personal History Statement and the City of Houston NeoGov Application. Upon completion of the aforementioned, print out the Check List and Schedule an Interview. You will be contacted by a recruiter to begin the Fast Track Pre-Screening Process. For those that pass the pre-screening process, you will be required to make two trips to Houston to complete the application process. For the first trip, you must stay Monday through Tuesday for processing that includes: Reading Comprehension Test, Physical Agility Test, Initial Interview, Fingerprinting, Polygraph and Post-Polygraph Interview. After your background is completed, you must return for a second trip that will include Medical and Psychological Exams. The second trip will take two days.
LATERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You must meet ALL of the requirements listed under the REQUIREMENTS tab. In addition, you must meet one of the below requirements to qualify:
In-state applicants MUST have been employed full-time for at least three years in the past 4 years as a peace officer licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
Out of state applicants MUST have been employed full-time for at least three years in the past 4 years as a peace officer licensed by acceptable licensing entity in another state that has law enforcement officer licensing requirements substantially equivalent to those set forth by the State of Texas. Additionally, applicants MUST challenge TCOLE. Visit https://www.tcole.texas.gov/content/out-state-peace-officers for more information.
All applicants must obtain a peace officer license issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement prior to the start of the academy.
ACADEMY
Applicants will attend a modified academy class consisting of 9-10 weeks
Applicants are on probationary period for one year from Academy start date
LATERAL PAY
While in the Academy, cadets receive $1,615.38 bi-weekly.
Upon graduating the Academy, lateral police officer’s salary (while on probation) can range from $2,405.26 up to $2,485.20 bi-weekly. Dependent upon prior law enforcement service.
Educational Pay Incentive begins upon graduation from the Academy:Bachelor’s Degree - $140 bi-weekly
Master’s Degree - $240 bi-weekly
Doctorate Degree - $340 bi-weekly
Click on the BENEFITS tab above for additional Incentive Pay
You must have at least one of the following four qualifications:
To review specific medical conditions that may impact your application, please click here to view SPECIFIC MEDICAL GUIDELINES.
Tattoos and body art will be reviewed on a case by case basis. However, no visible tattoo or body art located on the hands, on the neck or above the neck.
Click on the buttons below to learn more about each phase. Please note, the application process will take approximately 90 to 180 days to complete. Out-of-town applicants, those living outside of a 200-mile radius of Houston, will participate in our Fast Track Pre-Screening process prior to being scheduled for an interview to ensure you meet minimum qualifications prior to booking a trip to Houston.
As an officer, you may be required to perform the following duties while serving the community:
As an officer, you may be required to perform the following duties while serving the community:
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"
PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
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.
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.
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.
Promotion to the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, and commander each require passing a written examination and an assessment center in order to be placed on a promotional eligibility list. Commander is the last rank that can be attained via the testing process.
The ranks of assistant chief and executive assistant chief are appointed by the chief of police and require a master's degree from an accredited college or university.
| Positions | Base Salary* |
| Cadet/Probationary Officer | $42,000 |
| Police Officer | $58,785 - $78,847 |
| Sr. Police Officer | $85,407 - $92,515 |
Salaries are Base Pay only.
Effective July 1, 2020
YEARLY INCENTIVE PAY
Education Pay *
Bachelor’s Degree $3,640
Master’s Degree $6,240
Doctorate Degree $8,840
Equipment Allowance**
$2,000
Shift Differential Pay**
$1,800
Weekend Pay (2 days)**
$1,800
Weekend Pay (1 day)**
$900
Training Pay**
$1,400
* Paid Bi-Weekly After Graduation From The Academy
** Paid Bi-Weekly After Probationary Period
OTHER PAY OPPORTUNITIES
Bilingual Pay, Special Duty Pay, Patrol Officer Incentive Pay, Investigator Pay
Clothing Allowance and Tuition Reimbursement
TIMEOFF
After the first year of employment, officers will accrue up to 35 paid days off plus 11 paid holidays.
INSURANCE
Excellent, affordable health insurance subsidized by the City of Houston. Also includes optional dental and vision insurance.
RETIREMENT
Defined benefit pension plan with early retirement options and various deferred compensation plans are available.
EDUCATION
Tuition reimbursement and education exemptions are available.
The Houston Police Department’s Training Academy prepares cadets for a career in law enforcement through a rigorous six month academic and physical training program. Cadets receive a salary while attending the academy.
Cadets do not live at the academy but travel back and forth for training each day, Monday through Friday. Due to the intensive training program, cadets are not allowed to hold other types of employment or attend other educational classes while attending the academy.
The Houston Police Department’s Training Academy is located at 17000 Aldine Westfield Road, Houston, TX 77073.
Upon graduation, all new officers are on probation for six months and are assigned to the Field Training Officer (FTO) Program for 12 to 16 weeks. A police officer's first duty assignment is as a patrol officer.
Run with Your Recruiter is held every other Friday at 6:30am at Memorial Park. The track is located across from the tennis courts at 1500 East Memorial Loop Drive, Houston, TX 77007 (view map). This program is designed to help participants become more familiar with the physical fitness requirements necessary to enter the police academy. With the assistance of our recruiting team, participants will have the opportunity to practice the Physical Agility Test and evaluate their physical fitness level. Recruiters will also be available to answer questions and assist with training strategies.
To attend a Run with Your Recruiter event, please RSVP at runwithyourrecruiter@gmail.com. Please include your name and phone number. Run with Your Recruiter event dates are listed below.
***September 2020***
Houston Police Department
Recruiting Division
1200 Travis, Suite 1300
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 308-1300 or (800) 252-0473
(Monday – Friday, 8a.m. - 4p.m.)
Is there a deadline to apply and when can I apply for a police officer position?
- There are no application deadlines so you may apply once you have met all of HPD’s requirements. Once you have passed all phases of the application process you will then be scheduled for the next available academy class.
How do I apply to become a Houston police officer?
- There are several phases in HPD’s application process. Click on the Application Process link in the menu bar above to learn more about each phase.
May I apply if I am active duty military?
- You may apply approximately 9 months prior to your ETS/EAS date. You may schedule an interview and bring a letter from your commanding officer with your ETS/EAS date and confirmation that you will be honorably discharged. You will need to supply your DD-214 or NGB-22 forms for all past and current active duty status once they are available, but prior to starting the academy.
Can I apply if I live out-of-town?
- Yes, out-of-town applicants, those living outside of a 200-mile radius of Houston, will take part in a Fast Track Pre-Screening Process. Once you pass the pre-screening process, you will be required to make two trips to Houston to complete the application process.
Must I meet all HPD requirements?
- Yes, before you apply you should read all the information in the Requirements section.
Must I submit all original documents required and the copies?
- Yes, you must bring all original documents and the proper number of copies to your initial interview.
Must I complete and submit ALL the necessary background history information required on the Personal History Statement?
- Yes, you are responsible for carefully documenting/listing ALL information related to family, employment, residence, and other pertinent data requested for the Personal History Statement. You will be expected to bring this typed, fully completed document along with all other required documents to your initial interview.
Do the 48 hours of college credit need to be in criminal justice or law enforcement?
- No, the credit hours can be in any subject from an accredited college/university.
If I am graduating from college at the end of the semester, when should I apply?
- If you are applying based solely on the education requirement, you will need 48 semester hours of credit, from an accredited college/university with a 2.0 GPA. Once you have the college hours, you can apply. If you prefer to wait to apply until you graduate, we recommend you apply 6 months prior to your graduation in order to be in the next available academy class.
Under the work requirement option, do only law enforcement jobs qualify?
- No, under this requirement, your employment can be in any field. The only requirement is that you have to have worked full-time for 36 months of the last 48 months.
Under the work requirement option, must I have had only one job?
- No, under this requirement, you can have worked for multiple employers. However, your full-time work must add up to 36 months of the last 48 months.
What will I need to verify my employment under the work requirement and when does HPD need the verification?
- Bring employment verification letters from each employer, or their designated vendor, stating you were employed full-time and listing the dates of employment to your initial interview. Failing to do so could result in your being temporarily removed from the application process until documentation is provided. If you are unable to get verification letters from your employers, contact the Recruiting Division.
Do I need to attend HPD’s academy if I graduated from an academy at a university or another agency?
- Yes, upon employment, all cadets attend HPD’s paid training academy.
Does the Houston Police Department have a lateral or modified academy for TCOLE licensed officers?
- Yes. However, there are currently no lateral/modified academy classes scheduled through Dec. 31, 2019. Lateral officers are encouraged to attend a regular academy class. We have regular classes approximately every 3 months. In addition, licensed officers may be eligible for Lateral Pay upon graduation from the academy. For details, visit our Laterals page.
How many academy classes are held each year?
- The number of academy classes varies each year depending on available funding. Five are anticipated for Fiscal Year 2020, beginning July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.
Can I attend college or work a part-time job while I am in the academy?
- No, you may not. As a cadet in the HPD Training Academy you are not permitted to attend college or have employment outside of the academy, even on your days off.
What is HPD’s policy on visible tattoos and/or body art?
- Tattoos and body art will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. However, there shall be no visible tattoos or body art located on the hands, on the neck or above the neck. Tattoos or body art on hands, neck or above the neck must be removed prior to approval for an academy class.
What if I can’t pass the Physical Agility Test?
- If you are unable to pass all parts of the Physical Agility Test, you will not be allowed to continue further in the application process. If you fail your first attempt, you will be scheduled for the next available test date and be given one more opportunity to take the test. If you fail the second attempt, you will be removed from the process and will be ineligible to reapply for three months. You should not submit your application until you feel you can meet all of the physical agility requirements. To measure your current level of physical fitness or to determine whether or not you can pass the Physical Agility Test prior to the testing date, consider participating in the Run with Your Recruiter events. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONSULT WITH YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN BEFORE YOU BEGIN A PERSONAL PHYSICAL TRAINING REGIMEN T IN PREPARATION FOR THIS TEST.
My credit history is unsatisfactory. Will this prevent me from applying?
- Applicants are required to have a stable credit history, and your credit report will be reviewed as part of the application process. Any accounts that are over 30 days late will have to be made current. In addition, accounts in collections or charged off should be rectified prior to applying, and written confirmation that the accounts have been addressed will be required to continue in the application process. The confirmation letter should be on business letterhead with the applicant’s name, account number and reflect that the account has either been paid in full or is no longer in a delinquent status You will not be able to move on to Phase 3 of the process without addressing these issues.
Can I still apply to HPD if I've used drugs?
- Drug usage is one of many factors that HPD considers when determining someone's suitability for hire. We understand that some people have experimented with drugs. Every applicant is evaluated on a case-by-case basis with fair application of our policy, which takes all possible variables into consideration. We do not provide details on our policy, therefore you must participate in the application process in order to determine if you meet our minimum requirements. In order to accurately evaluate you as a candidate, we need you to be completely honest with us in response to all questions asked during the recruiting process, including those regarding drug usage.
The first step is to prepare the application packet, which consists of the Personal History Statement; City of Houston NeoGov Application; and items on the Required Documents Checklist. Click on the links below:
After completing the above three steps, schedule an interview by clicking on the “Schedule An Interview” button below.
You will be contacted in approximately four business days to schedule an interview.
Interviews are conducted by appointment only and take approximately 3 hours. Dress for the interview is business attire.
Once you have passed the initial interview, you will be scheduled to take a reading comprehension test and physical agility test. Phase Two will take approximately 4-5 hours and will be held at the Houston Police Department Training Academy. Upon completion of the reading comprehension and physical agility tests, you will then be sent for fingerprinting.
Physical Agility Test (PAT):
We encourage you to physically prepare for the PAT prior to any attempt and recommend that you consult a physician prior to undertaking any rigorous training program. If you do not believe you are able to pass this test, you should not submit your application until you feel you can meet all of the physical agility requirements.
Once you have passed the physical agility test, you will be scheduled for a polygraph examination. Immediately following the polygraph, you will have a post-polygraph interview. Dress is business or business casual, no jeans. Phase Three will take approximately 4 hours.
An extensive background investigation will be conducted on your personal, family, financial, employment, credit, and residential histories.
During Phase Five, you will be scheduled for a medical and a psychological examination. Fill out the Medical History Questionnaire up to SECTION B and bring the entire document with you to the interview.
Additionally, it is important to report on time to these appointments. If you wear glasses or contacts, please make sure to bring them to your appointment. Please allow 7 hours for the medical examination and 4-5 hours for the psychological exam. BRING ALL 3 OF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO YOUR APPOINTMENT.
Complete and Print:
Print out and bring to appointment:
Pending the successful completion of all the previous phases, your file will be reviewed through the chain of command (five levels) and then sent to the Chief of Police for final approval.
No lateral classes are planned at this time. Lateral officers can attend regular academy classes and receive base pay based on prior police service after graduation from the academy.
You must meet one of the below requirements to qualify:
OR
OR
OUT-OF-STATE LATERAL APPLICANTS without a TCOLE license are not required to obtain a TCOLE license prior to the academy. However, if a Lateral Academy is being offered, they must obtain their license prior to the start of the Lateral class by following TCOLE established guidelines (see http://www.tcole.texas.gov/content/out-state-peace-officers).
ACADEMY
Our regular academy class is six months long.
LATERAL PAY
While in the Academy, receive $1,615.38 bi-weekly.
Upon graduation from the Academy, receive:
One year of prior police service, $2,066.20 plus $2 lateral longevity bi-weekly:
Two years of prior police service, $2,278.27 plus $4 lateral longevity bi-weekly;
Three years of prior police service, $2,335.20 plus $6 lateral longevity bi-weekly;
Four years of prior police service, $2,335.20 plus $8 lateral longevity bi-weekly;
Five years of prior police service, $2,412.82 plus $10 lateral longevity bi-weekly;
Education pay also begins upon graduation:
Bachelor’s Degree - $140 bi-weekly
Master’s Degree - $240 bi-weekly
Doctorate Degree - $340 bi-weekly
Click on BENEFITS above for Incentive Pay that begins after the probationary period, which is one year from Academy start date.
OPPORTUNITIES
After an initial three-year period as a patrol officer, you will be eligible to apply to other divisions. You will also be eligible for the Sergeant’s test five years from your hire date.
Print PDF