Police Officer - Lateral (Out of State)

Police Officer – Lateral (Out of State)

The City of Sugar Land is inviting law enforcement professionals who are interested in a full-time position as a Police Officer – Lateral (Out of State) to apply to join our amazing City!

The City of Sugar Land is located on the southwest side of Houston and is one of the fastest growing communities in the state. With a population of 111,000+, Sugar Land has been repeatedly ranked as one of America's safest cities in the past ten years. Sugar Land boasts a diverse population, entertainment venues and a vibrant business community. The Sugar Land Police Department is a CALEA accredited department of 180 sworn officers with opportunities for specialized assignments and training.

The City of Sugar Land, a municipality with a population of 111,026, provides the highest quality of affordable services to meet the needs of its residents. And our citizens agree—the most recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey told us that 95% of our residents love calling Sugar Land home and 10% say that nothing would make their lives better than it already is, but we look to the future and work hard to make our community and the world better than we can even imagine.

We have an informal work environment but are serious about what we do. We believe that happy, diverse and talented employees add value to the City. We do our best to hire friendly, professional people who work hard and play well with others. We also promote a healthy work-life balance and personal development.

Our trailblazing culture focuses on our employees, our citizens and the services we provide our community. We are a data driven and innovative full-service municipality located approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston that invests in our team and offers real opportunities for career growth. We pay our Lateral Police Officers a starting salary of $37.62 to $40.90 per hour depending on qualifications, plus a sign-on bonus of $10,000. We also offer great benefits and perks available on your first day of employment, including: City-subsidized health benefits; life and disability insurance; a variety of voluntary benefits; a robust pension plan with TMRS to set you up for a fulfilling retirement; and a positive team-oriented culture stemming from a long-term commitment to innovation and inclusion.

Benefits At-A-Glance:

• City-subsidized Medical and Dental Insurance with a variety of plan options;
• City-paid Basic Life Insurance @ 1x your annual salary and Long-term Disability;
• Voluntary Vision, Supplemental Life Coverage (for you and your family), Aflac indemnity plans such as Accident, Cancer, Hospitalization and Critical Illness, Short Term Disability and pre-paid legal benefits through Legal Shield;
• 13 paid holidays;
• A generous vacation package with accruals starting on day 1 (up to 160 hours annually after 11 years of service);
• Paid sick leave accrual of 3.69 hours per pay period;
• Paid Parental Leave – up to 6 weeks;
• A robust pension plan with TMRS includes your 7% contribution with 2:1 match by the City;
• You won't contribute to Social Security, but you can further your retirement income by contributing to a Deferred Compensation (457b) plan;
• Longevity pay for each month of service after your first 13 months of employment;
• On-site Wellness facilities and programming (mind, body spirit & financial preparedness); and
• Access to multiple mental health benefits and resources, including a robust EAP…

Our City Mission: WE ARE TRAILBLAZERS! Relentless in Our Pursuit of Good so that Our Employees, Residents, and Businesses Can Enjoy a Life Better than They Can Even Imagine.

Our Employee Values: Our values ignite passion, drive, and a sense of purpose, fostering a thriving and successful organizational culture!

We are:

• Bold: We encourage each other to be bold in our ideas, decisions, and actions. We embrace innovation and take risks to drive progress.
• Loyal: We are loyal to each other, the City and our Mission and Vision. We support each other to foster a cohesive and collaborative work environment. We celebrate our successes and address the challenges facing us, together.
• Adaptable: We are resilient because we adapt to changing landscapes and market dynamics. We are flexible and understand the need for work-life balance. We embrace new technologies and evolving trends.
• Zealous: We are committed to excellence in all endeavors. We encourage each other to strive for the highest standards of public service, quality, and performance. We hold ourselves, and each other, accountable for our words and actions.
• Empowered: We are empowered with the necessary resources, opportunities, and responsibilities to excel in our roles. We seek out opportunities for development and growth, and help others do the same. We are inclusive, we embrace our differences and recognize the strength that comes from different perspectives and experiences.

We are TrailBLAZErs!

Requirements for Police Officer – Lateral (Out of State)

A Police Officer – Lateral (Out of State) is an individual who has attended a Police Academy, or its military equivalent, and is certified and commissioned as a Peace Officer by a governmental entity in the United States or the United States Armed Forces. Police Officer – Lateral (Out of State) applicants will be required to challenge TCOLE and obtain licensure within 180 days of this application.

Qualified candidates must have:

1. at least three years of service as a sworn peace officer, or equivalent, with one agency. This three years of service must be with their most recent police agency.

It is preferred that lateral experience be obtained at an agency and in a position where the applicant:

• Regularly answers 911 calls for service and
• Has responsibilities and comparable duties to that of an officer with the Sugar Land Police Department, including powers of arrest, in either the Patrol or Investigations Bureau. This does not include sworn service in the following roles: communications, detention, or courtrooms.

Reserve police officer status or other unpaid status will not be used in calculating the three year service requirement for entry as a lateral.

The Chief of Police shall make the final determination as to whether an applicant meets the criteria for the Police Lateral Entry Program. The Chief's decision shall be final and non-appealable.

1. In addition, qualified candidates must be a U.S. Citizen, have a valid driver's license with a good driving record and a stable employment record with no history of any conduct which may affect suitability for law enforcement work. Candidates must pass each step of the selection process, which includes: physical fitness test, oral interview board, polygraph test, and a thorough background investigation. Candidates should be aware that sensitive or confidential aspects of their personal lives will be explored. A job description for a City of Sugar Land Certified Police Officer is posted on-line. Non-smokers are preferred.
2. Police Officer – Lateral (Out of State) applicants will be required to challenge TCOLE and obtain licensure within 180 days of this application.

Candidates who have applied with the expectation TCOLE licensure, or TCOLE licensure through Out-of-State or Federal challenges, within the specified time frame who ultimately do not complete that requirement will be discharged from the hiring process unless they meet other requirements allowing them to continue in the hiring process.

Compensation

• Starting Pay: $85,072 Dependent on Experience & Qualifications + $10,000 Sign-On Bonus
• Note: Police Officer – Lateral (Out of State) applicants who are extended an offer of employment and have a start date prior to their TCOLE licensure will be paid as a 1st year Police Officer ($78,250) until their licensure; however, they remain eligible for the sign-on bonus.
• Annual salary increases up to max ($105,685) in Step 10.
• Pay for Performance Awards up to $4,000 per Year.
• Incentive pay for education
• Associate's Degree - $600 annually
• Bachelor's Degree - $1200 annually
• Master's Degree - $1800 annually