Job Description

Applications will be accepted until Sunday, July 5,2026

The Civil Service Exam is scheduled for Saturday, July 18,2026. Bring your completed Personal Information Packet with you on the exam day. If you need assistance call the Training Academy at 325-676-6537. Additional information will be emailed to the applicants prior to the exam. We have attached a map showing the available parking area and nearby lots for exam day. The Abilene Police Academy is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 11,2027.

For more information, visit the Abilene Police Department's recruiting page at https://www.abilenetx.gov/572/Qualification

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, to train at the Abilene Police Academy to learn the fundamentals of law enforcement and crime prevention work in preparation to become an Abilene Police Officer.  Training may include physical fitness training and self-defense training and may include assisting with controlling traffic flow and assisting with investigative work as well as other related work as assigned.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position exercises no supervision.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Participate in rigorous physical conditioning as part of training to include, but not limited to self-defense, weight training, and aerobic conditioning.

Learn to affect an arrest, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints; subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers, skills and techniques; resort to the use of hands, feet, and approved chemical, impact weapons or firearms in self-defense.

Learn to prepare investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols, and mathematical computations.

Study and learn the Federal, State and case law; proper maintenance, care, and use of firearms; professional policing; arrest search and seizure, and professional ethics as well as other required TCOLE topics.

Train to exercise independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain; when probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when force may be used and to what degree force is used.

Practice to communicate effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.

Carry, wear, and/or transport weapons, handcuffs, uniforms, and other equipment as appropriate to the assignment and in the manner prescribed by Department policy.

Practice pursuing fleeing suspects and perform rescue operations, which may involve quickly entering and exiting law enforcement patrol vehicles; lifting, carrying and dragging heavy objects; climbing over and pulling oneself over obstacles; jumping over ditches and streams; crawling in confined areas; balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces and using body force to gain entrance through barriers.

Learn to load, unload, aim, and fire handguns, shotguns and other agency firearms from a variety of body positions under conditions of simulated stress.

Learn to identify people, vehicles, and objects from descriptions given by others and accurately describe people, vehicles, and objects to others.

Practice performing searches of people, vehicles, buildings, and/or large outdoor areas, which may involve feeling and detecting objects; walking for long periods of time; detaining people and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons.

Learn how to conduct visual and audio surveillance.  Learn to detect and collect evidence and substances that provide the basis of criminal investigations of offenses and infractions, and that have the potential to indicate the presence of dangerous conditions.

Assist with rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters to include directing traffic for extended periods of time, administering emergency medical aid, lifting, dragging, and carrying people away from dangerous situations.

Learn how to read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of documents, i.e., affidavits, warrants, and citations.

Learn to develop and maintain good relationships with the public, including informants and contacts, which may be helpful in criminal investigations.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

City policies and procedures.

Safe work practices, occupational hazards, and safety precautions.

Fluent in English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill to:

Maintain the required academic and professional standards in accordance with Abilene Police Academy.

Follow both verbal and written instruction.

Read and understand training materials and successfully complete written, physical, and skills tests.

Learn to apply the training materials and training instruction.

Operate office equipment including computer equipment.

Safely operate a motor vehicle.

Use and care for firearms safely.

Ability to:

Learn police methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation, and identification techniques.

Learn criminal law and criminal procedure with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to the seizure and preservation of evidence.

Learn offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory.

Learn self-defense tactics.

Learn interviewing and interrogation techniques.

Learn standard broadcasting procedures over a police radio system.

Learn, understand, and interpret Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.

Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports.

Understand and carry out oral and written directions.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Experience:

No previous law enforcement experience is required.

Education/Training:

A high school diploma or a GED is required.

License or Certificate:

A valid State issued driver’s license is required at the time of application.

A valid Texas driver’s license is required by the date of hire.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, and climb.

Must have corrected eyesight to 20/20 vision.

Must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for a Police Officer as outlined in the local rules.

Must pass the physical/psychological examination requirements.

With or without accommodation, ability to lift up to 75 pounds.

With or without accommodation, ability to take and pass a 2-hour entrance examination with a passing score of 70 percent.

Ability to travel to different work sites and locations.

Ability to meet the physical requirements established by the department.

Exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical, electrical or other hazards.

Must be at least 21 years old by the date of commission and not more than 45 years old at the time of hire, OR

Must be at least 18 years old, and: (a) have an associate’s degree or at least 60 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university, or (b) have received an honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United States after at least 2 years of active service.

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds

___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

___ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

_X__ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:

N = No

E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)

M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)

I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)

A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task

_M__ Standing

_M__ Sitting

_M__ Walking

_M__ Lifting

_M__ Carrying

_M__ Pushing/Pulling

_M__ Overhead Work

_E__ Fine Dexterity

_M__ Kneeling

_M__ Crouching

_M__ Crawling

_M__ Bending

_M__ Twisting

_M__ Climbing

_M__ Balancing

_E__ Vision

_E__ Hearing

_E__ Talking

___ Other: _____________________

Personal Information Packet