THE JOB

1. Patrol an assigned area by foot, bicycle or vehicle to enforce city, state, and federal laws; investigate suspicious activities, individuals or conditions; and respond to calls for assistance or protection.
2. Pursue a fleeing subject on foot through unfamiliar and varied terrain or buildings during both day and night by running, jogging, climbing over and/or through obstacles.
3. Subdue a resisting or violent subject by physical contact or use of appropriate weapons and tools.
4. Forcibly, and sometimes against strong resistance, apply handcuffs and other restraints while in various body positions.
5. Safely operate a police vehicle in all types of traffic, weather, lighting conditions and, when necessary, above posted speed limits.
6. Arrest or control a subject after a lengthy pursuit and/or physical struggle.
7. Approach a subject of illegal activity and if necessary, pursue, wrestle, or fight with a subject in order to apprehend, detain, or control subject for the purpose of making an arrest or maintaining law and order.
8. Physically remove a subject from a vehicle or building and place in a patrol vehicle by securely grasping or holding subject, dragging, lifting, and/or carrying subject.
9. Enter and exit vehicles quickly to perform rescue, arrest, or emergency operations.
10. Determine type and amount of appropriate force to use to apprehend subject.
11. Operate standard weapons (handgun, shotgun, baton, chemical agent or other departmental provided weapon) to enforce law, detain a subject, or protect the life of self or others in situations that justify the use of force or deadly force.
12. Conduct searches of buildings, vehicles, outdoor areas, persons, and other objects using vision, touch, hearing, and smell to find or detect potential weapons, contraband evidence, hazards, and stolen property or to find lost persons or objects for the purpose of seizing, investigating and/or rescue.
13. Assist or rescue individuals in need of aid or protection as a result of an accident or a crime.
14. Investigate and control the scene of a traffic accident to determine cause, and protect life and property.
15. Control and direct traffic in situations requiring human intervention such as accidents, traffic signal failure, unusually heavy traffic conditions, or adverse weather conditions to ensure the public safety of individuals and property.
16. Enforce traffic laws and regulations by issuing citations or warnings to individuals who commit violations or offenses.
17. Remain calm, composed, undistracted, and in full control of cognitive abilities while functioning appropriately in hostile, dangerous, or frightening situations that may require use of deadly force.
18. Maintain rational decision-making and self-control in situations or environments that are personally offensive (cases of child abuse, child molestation, sexual assault, extreme trauma or death, etc.) or which involve considerable stress, danger, personal risk, violence, hostility, or the use of force.
19. Maintain composure and exercise restraint when verbally or physically provoked in hostile or violent environments.
20. Provide testimony and protect the rights, property, and valuables of others in a truthful and honest manner without abusing the authority or integrity of the position.
21. Gather information in criminal investigations to document facts and evidence. Prepare accurate and detailed reports by searching the scene and by interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects.
22. Communicate orally and manually using radio, telephone, and Mobile Data Computers to give and obtain information, directions, instructions, and/or commands in order to provide assistance, build community rapport, protect the public, and make arrests.
23. Interact with a variety of people functioning in various emotional states to manage interpersonal conflicts, develop community relations, resolve or stop criminal activity, obtain or give information, issue citations, counsel and give aid, or maintain order and provide service.
24. Enter into dangerous situations and confront hazards in a logical and mature manner.
25. The following physical activities have been linked to the essential job functions of a police officer:
    1. Running
    2. Lifting and Carrying
    3. Moving Non-Resisters
    4. Controlling Resisters
    5. Wrestling/Physical Struggles
    6. Dragging and Pulling
    7. Climbing
    8. Jumping
    9. Fighting
    10. Standing
    11. Sitting
    12. Riding a bicycle

Note: This list reflects general duties and physical requirements associated with the position of police officer and is not intended to represent an exhaustive or assignment-specific description of daily tasks.

Patrol assignments are a critical part of an officer’s professional development and provide the foundation for a career in law enforcement. Newly sworn officers who successfully complete the police academy, field training program, and probationary period are assigned to one of fifteen patrol divisions.

While assigned to patrol, officers respond to calls for service, investigate incidents, assist individuals in mental health crisis, engage with the community, and enforce city and state laws. These daily responsibilities require officers to apply critical thinking, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills in dynamic and often unpredictable situations.

Patrol service provides officers with the practical experience necessary to understand community needs, develop decision-making skills under pressure, and build the operational knowledge required for future assignments within the department.

Officers must serve a minimum of three years in patrol. During this time, officers gain valuable experience handling a wide variety of calls for service, conducting investigations, interacting with diverse communities, and developing the professional skills necessary for specialized assignments later in their careers.

Patrol assignments provide the operational experience and institutional knowledge necessary for promotional advancement and specialized assignments within the Houston Police Department.

After completing their first year of patrol service, officers may request a lateral transfer to another patrol station based on operational needs and available openings.

Patrol divisions operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and officers work rotating schedules designed to maintain continuous coverage for the community.

Depending on the patrol division, officers may work either 8-hour shifts or 10-hour shifts.

• Eight hour shifts: Officers typically work five days per week with two consecutive days off.
• Ten hour shifts: Officers typically work four days per week with three consecutive days off.

Patrol Shift Structure

Because patrol operates 24 hours a day to serve the community, Officers should expect to work either day, evening, or night shifts depending on staffing needs. Most patrol officers begin their careers working eight hour shifts, although schedules may vary depending on the patrol division and operations.

Schedules may be adjusted based on operational demands that may be affected by natural disasters, city-wide events, or other assignments based on department needs. While officers are typically assigned a standard shift, they may occasionally be required to remain on duty beyond their scheduled hours in order to complete investigations, documentation, or other necessary police duties.

Some patrol divisions also utilize power shifts, which are 10-hour assignments designed to provide additional coverage during high call volume periods. These shifts may occur during day, evening, or night hours depending on the needs of the division.

Leave and Time-Off

After officers are assigned to their first permanent patrol station, they may begin submitting requests for scheduled days off and vacation leave in accordance with department policies.

Each patrol division manages leave scheduling based on staffing needs and operational requirements. A limited number of vacation slots may be available at any given time, and requests are typically handled at the division level on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Because patrol operations must maintain adequate staffing to respond to calls for service, approval of leave requests may vary depending on staffing levels, operational demands, and previously scheduled leave.

Patrol assignments provide the foundation for a career in law enforcement. After completing required patrol service and gaining operational experience, officers may pursue a wide range of specialized assignments within the Houston Police Department.

In addition to the foundational knowledge previously discussed, an officer’s first 3 years of patrol service provides opportunities to build professional relationships, identify areas of interest, and explore potential career paths within the department. Officers may work alongside specialized units, participate in training programs, and gain exposure to different operational divisions.

Many officers use this time to seek mentorship, attend advanced training courses, and develop the knowledge and experience needed for future assignments. These experiences help officers determine which areas of policing best match their interests and strengths.

After building on that foundational experience, officers may pursue opportunities in investigations, specialized enforcement units, tactical operations, community engagement assignments, and many other areas within the department.

To learn more about specialized assignments and career paths available within HPD, visit

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES