In Texas the process for becoming an active police officer heavily depends on the area you live in and wish to be employed. Although there are some statewide requirements that are the same regardless of the area (listed below) there are many police departments which have their own list of minimum requirements of applicants. Therefore, it is important that you check with the specific police department that you are hoping to apply to, to see if you fit the minimum requirements or what you still may need to do. Once you have checked to ensure you meet all of the basic requirements of the department then you may submit an application. After submitting the application you may or may not be called upon to attempt the hiring process. Step one would be to pass the written exam and preliminary interview. Next is the physical fitness test, board interview, background check and polygraph. If all these are passed then there are psychological tests, medical exam and a drug test. If everything is passed and the department offers you a position you would then be sent to initial entry training.
How to Become a Texas Officer
As stated above, each department in Texas may have its own additional requirements, however here are some of the basic requirements: legal US citizen, not a felon, clean record, driver’s license, and high school diploma or GED. Many areas of Texas require college credit depending on age. If a person is 21 for instance, they may only be required 45 hours, whereas a person who is 19 must have completed 60 credit hours. A person with years of military experience may need no college hours at all. Check with the department you wish to apply with and then find out their particular requirements.
Average Police Officer Salary in Texas
The average salary of a police officer in Texas is around 51,000 a year. Since Texas is so big, however, salaries can be drastically different from region to region or even city to city. If you want to know more about a specific region in Texas and the rate of pay check: http://www.lawenforcementedu.net/texas/texas-salary/.
Law Enforcement Schooling programs in Texas
Many police departments in Texas require some college experience. Below is a list of some of the colleges and schools in Texas which offer law enforcement or criminal justice degrees or related programs:
- Alvin Community College
3110 Mustang Road, Alvin, TX 77511
281-756-3500
- Amarillo College
2201 South Washington Street, Amarillo, TX 79109
806-371-5000
- Angelo State University
2601 W Avenue North, San Angelo, TX 76909
325-942-2555
- Argosy University
5001 Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy., Farmers Branch, TX 75244
866-954-9900
- Austin Community College District
5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, TX 78752
512-223-4222
- Brazosport College
500 College Drive, Lake Jackson, TX 77566
979-230-3000
- Central Texas College
6200 West Central Texas Expressway, Killeen, TX 76549
254-526-7161
- Coastal Bend College
3800 Charco Road, Beeville, TX 78102
866-722-2838
- College of the Mainland
1200 Amburn Road, Texas City, TX 77591
409-938-1211
- Concordia University Texas
11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin, TX 78726
512-313-3000
- Dallas County Community College District
Several Locations in Texas, 214-378-1824
- Del Mar College
101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78404
361-698-1200
- Grayson County College
3101 Grayson Drive, Denison, TX 75020
903-465-6030
- Hill College
112 Lamar Drive, Hillsboro, TX 76645
254-659-7500
- Howard College
1001 Birdwell Lane, Big Spring, TX 79720
432-264-5000
- Howard Payne University
1000 Fisk Street, Brownwood, TX 76801
800-880-4478
- Jarvis Christian College
US Hwy 80 E at PR 7631, Hawkins, TX 75765
903-730-4890
- Lamar State College-Orange
410 Front Street, Orange, TX 77630
409-883-7750
- Lamar University
4400 MLK Blvd., Beaumont, TX 77710
409-880-7011
- Lee College
200 Lee Drive, Baytown, TX 77520
800-621-8724
- McLennan Community College
1400 College Drive, Waco, TX 76708
254-299-8000
- Midland College
3600 N Garfield St, Midland, TX 79705
432-685-4500
- North Central Texas College
1525 West California Street. Gainesville, TX 76240
940-668-7731
- Odessa College
201 W University Blvd., Odessa, TX 79764
432-335-6400
- Our Lady of the Lake University
411 SW 24th Street, San Antonio, TX 78207
210-434-6711
- Palo Alto College
1400 W Villaret Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78224
210-486-3000
- Prairie View A&M University
FM 1098 Road & University Dr., Prairie View, TX 77446
936-261-3311
- Remington College
Fort Worth, TX / Garland, TX / Houston, TX- 800-323-8122
- Sam Houston State University
1806 Avenue J, Huntsville, TX 77340
936-294-1111
- San Jacinto College
8060 Spencer Hwy., Pasadena, TX 77505
281-998-6150
- St Edward’s University
3001 S Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704
512-448-8400
- Sul Ross State University
400 North Harrison, Alpine, TX 79832
432-837-8011
- Texas A & M International University
5201 University Blvd., Laredo, TX 78041
956-326-2001
- The University of Texas at Arlington
701 S Nedderman Drive, Arlington, TX 76019
817-272-2011
- The University of Texas at San Antonio
1 Utsa Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249
210-458-4011
- Tyler Junior College
1327 S Baxter Avenue, Tyler, TX 75701
903-510-2523
- University of Houston-Downtown
One Main Street, Houston, TX 77002
713-221-8000
- Weatherford College
225 Cllege Park Drive, Weatherford, TX 76086
817-594-5471
- West Texas A & M University
2501 4th Avenue, Canyon, TX 79016
806-651-0000
- Western Texas College
6200 College Drive, Snyder, TX 79549
888-468-6982
- Wiley College
711 Wiley Avenue, Marshall, TX 75670
903-927-3300