Requirements

Eligibility Requirements for Police Cadets

All applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to apply for the position of police cadet:

• Must be 21 years of age at the time of State Licensing (approximately six months into the Basic Police Academy)
• Must be a U.S. citizen (by birth or naturalized)
• Must possess a High School Diploma or GED. 
  • If the applicant has a GED, they must have also completed 12 or more hours of college credit from an accredited college or university with a 2.0 cumulative grade average or better.
• Must have a valid driver's license and proof of vehicle insurance
• Must read, write, and speak the English language fluently
• Must be able to meet all state licensing eligibility requirements per the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Rules (Title 37, Part 7, Chapter 217, Rule §217.1) at the completion of the Basic Police Academy

Physical Requirements

Applicants must successfully pass the police officer Physical Agility Test to continue in the hiring process. Prior to taking the physical agility test, you will be required to submit a completed and signed Physical Agility Test Consent Form attesting to your ability to participate in the test. Click the link below to download this form. 

Physical Agility Test Consent Form

The physical agility test consists of two events - a timed 1.5-mile run and a 500-meter row sprint. The scores from both tests will be averaged for a total physical readiness test score. The total score average for both events must be at the minimum 50th percentile or above in your age and gender class to be considered a passing score. You can review the charts below to find your minimum standard. 

500 Meter Row

Female 1.5 Mile Run

Male 1.5 Mile Run

Video Example of Proper Rowing Technique 

Additional Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Lateral Entry Police Officers

• Prior to the Civil Service testing date, the applicant must have attended and successfully completed a Texas State approved Basic Police Officer Course as well as passed the Texas State TCOLE license examination.
• Applicants with at least three years of continuous service as a paid, full-time certified police officer, with a comparable law enforcement agency, including out of state agencies, as approved by the Chief of Police, may be compensated at the equivalent pay rate of their years of service up to five years on the current approved pay scale.
• Certified out of state applicants must have successfully challenged TCOLE prior to the Civil Service examination.
• Applicants who qualify for lateral pay will not receive the hiring bonus.