Police Trainee (Police Classified)

Full Job Description

Applications accepted from: ALL QUALIFIED PERSONS INTERESTED
Division: *TRAINING ACADEMY/ PATROL
Reporting Location: *17000 ALDINE-WESTFIELD

Workdays and Hours: Various*
*Subject to change

Our Mission

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 and within the framework of the U.S. Constitution to enforce the laws, preserve the peace, reduce fear and provide for a safe environment.

Why Join HPD

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?

• Paid academy training
• Competitive pay and benefits
• Opportunities across 45+ divisions

As the fifth largest agency in the nation, HPD sets the bar for professionalism, innovation and a progressive approach to relational 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, 11 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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Accepted candidates will receive 26 weeks of intense classroom instruction and testing acquiring a working knowledge of the Texas Penal Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Texas Transportation Code, Texas Family Code, rules and regulations of the police department and municipal ordinances of the City of Houston.

Candidates will receive training in various law enforcement activities such as self-defense, crime scenes, weapon use, and pursuit driving.

Successful graduates will be temporarily assigned to a patrol station for further training and evaluation.

Candidates who pass all phases of the field training evaluation process will be expected to enforce federal, state, and local laws.

Some of the essential patrol functions are answering citizen's calls, settling disputes, report writing, accident investigations, handling public disorder complaints, responding to alarms, making arrests, searching for suspects, gathering evidence, taking statements, securing property, and providing testimony in court.

WORKING CONDITIONS During the academy, candidates will spend a majority of their time in a classroom setting.

Physical exercising and testing will occur outside and inside of the academy building during various weather conditions including but not limited to hot, cold, and rainy days].

Candidates will be subject to stressful situations during various learning and training exercises.As patrol officers, the majority of the day will most likely be spent sitting or driving a marked patrol vehicle for long hours at a time.

Officers may be required to work shift-work (evening and night shift) and conduct patrol duties by foot or by bicycle.

Officers will be subject to the conditions of the weather (hot, cold, raining, etc.). Officers may be subject to dangerous and stressful situations on a daily basis.

Requirements

Qualifications

Additional Information

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED The selection process will involve application review and administer assessments, such as Physical Agility Test I Reading Comprehension Test I Weapon Compatibility Test I Polygraph Examination.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION YESIf yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and is subject to drug testing for promotions and certain assignments.

SALARY INFORMATION* Pay Grade 10Minimum Yearly Compensation (Base pay): Cadet/Probationary Officer $52,000First 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.

OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE PAY *
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 yearMaster's Degree $6,240 per yearDoctorate 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:

• $492 for Bachelor (B.A.)
• $541 for Master (M.A.)
• $988 for Master of Business (M.B.A.)
• $541 for Doctorate (Ph.D.)
• $1,175 for Juris Doctor (J.D.)

GENEROUS BENEFIT PACKAGE

• After the first year of employment, officers accrue at least 35 paid days off plus 13 paid holidays.
• Excellent, affordable health insurance subsidized by City of Houston. Including mental health plans, prescription drug plans, dental and vision packages, and optional flexible spending accounts, dependent care reimbursements, and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Unparalleled Prenatal, Parental, and Infant Leave plan (up to 160 hours for prenatal wellness, 480 hours during first year of child’s life, and 40 hours of infant wellness)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Defined benefit pension plan with early retirement options
• Multiple supplemental retirement plans
• Various deferred compensation plans are available.

PROMOTIONAL AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
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:

• Field Operations & Patrol
• Criminal Investigations
• Special Victims & Homicide
• Narcotics & Gang Enforcement
• Intelligence & Homeland Security
• Traffic Enforcement & Air Support
• Airport Operations
• Training, Recruiting & Professional Development
• Mental Health Response & Emergency Communications
• Tactical & Specialized Operations

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) after 4.5 years of service. Subsequently, promotional opportunities require a minimum of two years for each rank. See department website for more details.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

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.

Submitting this NeoGov application is Step 3 out of 5 steps 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.

After submitting your NeoGov application, you are required to schedule an initial interview. Applications submitted without a scheduled interview will not advance in the hiring process.

TO SCHEDULE AN 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.

Your application is not complete, and no action will be taken until all required forms and documents are reviewed and approved.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfmor call the HPD Recruiting Unit at 1-800-252-0473 or 713-308-1300.

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.If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

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.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

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.