Police Recruit and Entry Level Police Officer

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Waco, TX
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-01159
Department: POLICE
Division: POLICE SERV CHIEFS OFF
Opening Date: 05/18/2026
Closing Date: 7/9/2026 4:00 PM Central


Summary
Starting Pay: $32.8959 per hour

The Examination for Police Recruit and Entry Level Police Officer will be conducted on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 9:00 AM Central .
Summary:
To qualify as an applicant for Police Recruit and Entry Level Police Officer position with the City of Waco Police Department, the applicant must meet all requirements of the Waco Local Rules and Waco Meet & Confer Agreement:

1. An applicant for a beginning position must serve a 12-month probationary period after being commissioned as a Peace Office.
2. An applicant for a beginning position must take an eligibility exam.
3. An applicant for a beginning position must successfully pass the TCOLE certification within 12 months of passing the eligibility exam.
4. Applicants who currently hold a TCOLE Peace Officer License and have less than 2 years of continuous service as a commissioned Peace Officer are eligible to apply as an Entry Level Police Officer. Applicants who currently hold a TCOLE Peace Officer License will not be required to attend the Academy.

THE CITY OF WACO SEEKS:
Are you looking to serve your community, make a difference in people's lives, and build camaraderie with your coworkers? Waco Police Department is accepting applications for the next group of Police Recruits to join the WPD family. Apply with the WPD today!

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Required:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Fifteen (15) hours of college credit from an accredited institution with at least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale,
• OR Two (2) years of active-duty military experience from the US Armed Forces with an honorable discharge.
• Must be a minimum of twenty (20) years of age to apply, must be 21 by the Police Academy completion date
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License.
• Must be a United States Citizen.

Additional Information:

• Upon reviewing your application, you will receive an e-mail with additional requirements you MUST COMPLETE to go through the Police Recruit process.
• Completed Background Packets must be submitted to the Waco Police Department Personnel Unit by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, July 15, 2026
• Open the hyperlinks below to review the STUDY GUIDE and the Police Agility Course.
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POSITION DESCRIPTION: Under close supervision, attends training from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and Waco Police Department (WPD) to obtain Basic Peace Officers License and certification.
PRIMARY DUTIES:

• Attends classroom training sessions and takes notes required to obtain Basic Peace Officer Certification.
• Completes and passes written, oral and skills proficiency examinations for a wide variety of required Peace Officer skills and knowledge and maintains required levels of proficiency.
• Participates in physical conditioning training and testing and maintains required levels of physical fitness.
• Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values and goals of the Police Department by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Waco and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
• Successful performance in and progression through Police Academy training.
• Ability to testify in court proceedings.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.
• Operates department vehicles to patrol the City for criminal activity, suspicious behavior, and safety hazards;
  respond to emergency calls related to crimes in progress, traffic accidents, medical emergencies, and
  dangerous situations; enforce traffic laws; and transport individuals to appropriate facilities.

The City of Waco offers a complete benefits package for eligible employees including; health, dental, vision, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Accounts, life insurance, long term and short term disability, retirement, deferred compensation plans, holidays, vacation, sick leave, credit union and savings bonds.


To learn more about the benefits offered, visit our Benefits page .


Why Work For Waco:

• Meaningful and challenging work
• Make a difference and improve communities
• Competitive Salary and Benefits
  • Full Range of Benefits, including Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance
  • Mandatory TMRS Retirement Plan with a 2:1 City Match
  • Education Assistance Program
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Employee Assistance
  • Longevity Pay
  • And More!
• Chance to do work you are passionate about
• Desire to give back

01


Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have a High School Diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

03


Are you a United States Citizen?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have at least two years of active-duty military experience from the US Armed Forces with an honorable discharge or two years of continuous experience as a paid full-time police officer?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have 15 credit hours of college from an accredited college with at least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you currently hold a TCOLE Peace Officer Certification?

• Yes
• No

07


Please provide your Date of Birth in the following format (MM/DD/YYYY)
08


Gender

• Male
• Female
• Other/Unidentified

09


Race, please check one:

• American Indian / Alaskan Native
• Asian
• Black / African American
• Hispanic
• Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
• Other / Unknown
• Two or more Races
• White

10


How did you hear about us?

• City of Waco
• City of Waco Website
• Facebook
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Other Social Media
• Texas Municipal League

11


Were you referred by a City of Waco Employee? If so, please list the employee's full name below. PLEASE ONLY LIST ONE CITY OF WACO EMPLOYEE NAME.
Required Question