Posting number: 38766
Department: HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Job classification: POLICE TRAINEE
Posting type: Open
Categories: Law Enforcement
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Division: Training Academy / Patrol*
Reporting Location: 17000 Aldine Westfield*
Workdays and Hours: Various*
*Subject to change
The mission of the Houston Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in the city of Houston by working cooperatively with the public to prevent crimes, enforce the law, preserve the peace, and provide a safe environment.
A career with the Houston Police Department is more than a job — it’s an opportunity to serve one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the nation. Whether you’re just beginning to explore law enforcement or are ready to take the next step, HPD offers a path built on professionalism, training, and community service.
So, why join the Houston Police Department?
As the fifth largest agency in the nation, HPD sets the bar for professionalism, innovation and a progressive approach to community policing. Our diverse workforce of more than 5,400 officers and 892 civilian support personnel are a dedicated, enthusiastic group of professionals who proudly serve over 2 million Houston residents.
Officers receive a competitive salary with regular increases, city-subsidized insurance, 13 paid holidays plus 35–40 additional paid days off per year, tuition reimbursement, and retirement options including a pension plan with early retirement eligibility. With Houston’s low cost of living, salaries stretch even further than other large cities.
Officers have lateral and promotional opportunities in over 45 divisions. Regardless of the assignment, you will work in an environment that fosters leadership, teamwork and service to the community.
For further information pertaining to the Houston Police Department, please visit: www.hpdcareer.com.
Police officers with the Houston Police Department serve the community in a wide variety of roles and situations. The duties of an officer are diverse and may involve patrol responsibilities, community engagement, problem-solving, enforcement of laws, and responding to emergencies, often under challenging or unpredictable conditions.
Essential functions, work environment, and operational expectations associated with the role of a Houston Police Department officer are listed on our website. This includes examples of physical and operational duties, typical patrol assignments, work schedules, and an overview of potential career progression within the department.
Applicants are encouraged to review our website carefully as part of their decision to pursue a career with the Houston Police Department.
Newly sworn officers who successfully complete the police academy, field training program, and probationary period are typically assigned to one of fifteen patrol divisions. 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 typically assigned to one of fifteen patrol divisions. Patrol assignments are a critical part of an officer’s professional development and provide the foundation for a career in law enforcement.
While assigned to patrol, officers respond to calls for service, investigate incidents, 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 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.
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All applicants must meet the following baseline requirements before applying:
**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6. **
The Houston Police Department is currently accepting applications for upcoming academy classes, which are held approximately every two to three months. The full application process generally takes 90 to 180 days and includes multiple phases designed to ensure candidates meet all requirements to attend the academy.
Some applicants — such as reinstatements, lateral transfers, military applicants, and out-of-town candidates — will have additional requirements or follow a slightly different process. If any of these categories apply to you, please review the information provided in our webpage dedicated to your applicant type for more details.
Please note that Phase One consists of four required steps that must be completed before your initial interview. These steps ensure you meet minimum qualifications and arrive fully prepared.
You must complete all required forms and gather all supporting and eligibility documentation before scheduling your interview. Applicants who schedule prematurely or arrive without required documents will be subject to rescheduling.
Submitting this NeoGov application is Step 3 of Phase One in the HPD Recruiting Application Process. This application alone does not complete Phase One.
To proceed in the hiring process, applicants must visit HPDCareer.com to review all required documentation, complete all required forms, and follow the additional steps outlined in Phase One.
Physical Agility Test
Reading Comprehension Test
Weapon Compatibility Test
Polygraph Examination
Psychological Evaluation
Yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and is subject to drug testing for promotions and certain assignments.
Minimum Yearly Compensation (Base pay)
Cadet/Probationary Officer $52,000
First Year Police Officer $78,452
Police Officer (2+ yrs) $80,004 - $121,184
Sr. Police Officer (12+ yrs) $103,323 - $139,946
Sergeant (5+ yrs) $114,645 - $159,928
Lieutenant (7+ yrs) $129,298 - $177,874
Captain (9+ yrs) $ 148,100 - $208,363
The department also has annual incentives such as equipment and clothing allowance, shift and weekend differential pay, patrol and investigator pay, as well as bilingual pay that take effect after probationary period.
The department will provide additional pay after graduating from the academy to applicants who have been awarded higher education degrees in any field at the following rates:
Bachelor's Degree $3,640 per year
Master's Degree $6,240 per year
Doctorate Degree $8,840 per year
The department also has a Tuition Reimbursement plan for officers who are interested in obtaining a degree from an accredited university/college. The reimbursement rates shown below are per credit hours:
After an initial three-year period as a patrol officer, an officer will be eligible to apply for transfer to other divisions.
In addition to patrol operations, HPD offers a wide range of career opportunities across multiple commands and specialized units. Officers may pursue assignments that align with their skills, interests, education, and experience in areas such as:
As officers gain experience, they may apply for specialized assignments, promotional opportunities, or leadership roles throughout the department.
All police officers are eligible to take the promotional exam to first line supervisor (Sergeant) after4. 5 years of service. Subsequently, promotional opportunities require a minimum of two years for each rank. See department website for more details.
Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the HPD Recruiting Division (you will receive a receipt of your submission of this online application to provide to HPD Recruiting personnel when turning in other documents). Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.
All applicants must go to www.hpdcareer.com to obtain and complete the Personal History Statement and all required documents for submission.
TO GET A LIST OF ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION MANDATORY FOR DAY OF INTERVIEW, PLEASE GO TO www.hpdcareer.com
All applicants must submit all required forms and documents in person the day of their scheduled interview which will be at the HPD Recruiting Center located at 1219 Milam, Houston, TX 77002.
To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call the HPD Recruiting Unit at 1-800-252-0473 or 713-308-1300.
If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.
Due to the high volume of applications received, the HPD Recruiting Unit will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.
All new hires and re-instatements must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical agility test, reading comprehension test, polygraph examination and verification of information provided.
The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
Home to a respected and energetic cultural arts scene, celebrated restaurants featuring flavors from 35 countries, world-renowned theater groups and the brains behind U.S. space exploration, Houston is a diverse metropolis brimming with personality.
With nearly 21,000 concerts, plays, exhibitions and other arts programs presented in Houston annually, residents and visitors have access to a wide variety of cultural programs. On any given night, it's a safe bet that there's a show somewhere in Houston's Theater District. More than 2 million people visit the Downtown area each year to attend one of the city's world-class performances. Within the Museum District you will find eighteen world-class institutions, including the Menil Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Houston Museum of Natural Science are clustered in this area, drawing a reported seven million visitors to the district each year.
Houston’s restaurant scene is as ethnically diverse as its 4 million residents. ForbesTraveler.com ranked Houston as one of the best restaurant cities in America. The city is jam-packed with more than 8,000 tempting eateries that feature culinary flavors from more than 35 countries.
With 56,405 acres of total park space, Houston rates first among the nation's 10 most populous cities in total acreage of park land. The 165 public and private golf courses around the city and teams in nearly every major professional sport keep sports fever high year-round.
The city also employs over 22,000 full-time staff to keep the city running. We are always looking for everyone from Engineers to IT Professionals, from entry level to executive level. Check back here for current postings, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cohcareers or on Twitter @COHCareers for all the up to date recruitment happenings!
