Police Officer Trainee (Q1)

Job Title: Police Officer Trainee (Q1)

Company: City of Dallas

About the Role

This is a temporary trainee classification used to qualify and train candidates for permanent Police Officer positions. The role involves participation in a Qualifying Training Program to learn basic police procedures, techniques, and laws through formal classroom instruction.

Key Responsibilities

• Attend a 32-week Basic Training Course at the Dallas Police Academy, providing classroom and field instruction in basic police procedures, techniques, and laws.
• Receive additional training in Dallas Police Department specific courses, including Dallas City Code, after passing the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic Peace Officer Licensing Examination.
• Perform other related duties, including special projects, as requested or required.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• College Transcripts/Unofficial Transcript (including required number of hours and overall GPA of 2.0)
• Military DD214 [member page 4] (if separated) and/or Statement of Service (if currently active) for federal military service, including dates of service, anticipated separation date (no more than seven months from application date), and anticipated discharge status.
• Active TCOLE Peace Officer License
• Out of State Law Enforcement License

Do Not Attach: Resumes, Cover Letters, Degree Certificates.

Qualifications

Applicants for trainee police officer must:

• Be at least 19.5 years of age and not have reached 45 years of age on the date of the civil service written examination.
• Have demonstrated safe driving habits and be qualified to drive a motor vehicle in Texas.
• For any completed military service, have an honorable or uncharacterized discharge.
• Meet one of the following educational/experience qualifications:
• A minimum of 45 semester hours college credit with a C average or better from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum of 36 months of full-time certified law enforcement experience (from date of license receipt) with a city, county, or state law enforcement agency, and be currently employed or separated from the agency for no more than four months prior to application.
• An active, valid Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic Peace Officer license.
• A minimum of 36 months active service in the Armed Forces of the United States with an honorable discharge or an uncharacterized discharge. (Applicants with military service no more than 10 calendar days less than 36 months are acceptable; more than 10 days less requires approval).
• Be at least 21 years of age with a minimum of a high school diploma or GED and 36 months of full-time, consecutive employment experience.

Additional Department Requirements

• No felony or class A misdemeanor convictions.
• No class B misdemeanor convictions within the last ten (10) years.
• Must possess a valid driver's license with a good driving record.
• Must possess the physical/medical health to adequately perform the duties of a Police Officer.

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam covers map reading, reading comprehension, prioritization, probability, vocabulary and word use, mathematics, sentence clarity, and character comparison.

TIME LIMIT: Three (3) hours.

Dallas Police Department Process

PHASE I: Civil Service Process

• Online Application
• Qualifying Documents Submission (College Transcripts or Military Documents)
• Civil Service Written Examination

Upon passing the Civil Service process, candidates will be contacted by the Dallas Police Department Recruiting Unit for Phase II.

In-Person Testing (After passing Civil Service process)

• Physical Readiness Test:
• Vertical Jump (minimum 6.5 inches)
• Bench Press, free weights (minimum 56% of body weight)
• Illinois Shuttle Run (maximum time 24.9 seconds)
• Sit-ups (minimum 14 repetitions in 1 minute)
• 300 Meter Run (maximum time 110 seconds)
• Push-ups (minimum 4 repetitions)
• 1.5 Miles Run (maximum time 19:09 minutes)
• Document Completion/Verification
• Polygraph Examination
• Applicant Interview Board (AIB)

Background Investigation

• Conducted after successful completion of in-person testing.
• Includes submission of a Personal History Statement.
• Detective conducts extensive investigation of prior/present employers, references, co-workers, ex-spouses, family, schools, residential history, financial responsibility, military records, and driving history.
• Typically takes two to four months to complete.

PHASE II: Conditional Offer of Employment

• Psychological Examination (written tests and interview)
• Medical Examination
• Drug Screening