Police Officer Trainee FY26

Salary : $81,232.00 Annually
Location : Downtown Dallas, TX
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: T46100-FY26
Department: Police - Uniform
Opening Date: 10/01/2025
Closing Date: 9/30/2026 11:59 PM Central


Position Purpose
This is a temporary trainee classification used to qualify and train candidates' under-filling permanent Police Officer positions. Participates in a Qualifying Training Program to learn, through formal classroom instruction, the basic police procedures, techniques, and laws required to perform the duties of a Dallas Police Officer.
**PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION WITHOUT ATTACHING YOUR COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT OR MILITARY DOCUMENTS**

Y our application is INCOMPLETE until you have attached a legible copy of one of the above qualifying documents.
Examples of Qualifying Documents

• College Transcripts/Unofficial Transcript (including required number of hours and overall GPA of 2.0 - Diplomas are not considered a qualified document) (DO NOT attach your degree certificate)
• Military DD214 (member page 4) (if separated) and/or Statement of Service (if currently active). This must be provided for any federal military service.
  • Statement of Service must include:
    • Dates of service
    • Anticipated separation date (must be no more than seven (7) months following application date)
    • Anticipated discharge status
• Active TCOLE Peace Officer License
• Out of State Law Enforcement License

Do Not Attach

• Resumes
• Cover Letters

Essential Functions


1. Attends a 32-week Basic Training Course at the Dallas Police Academy, which will provide classroom and field instruction in basic police procedures, techniques, and laws.
2. After passing the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic Peace Officer Licensing Examination, will receive additional training in Dallas Police Department specific courses including Dallas City Code (city ordinances), and other real life police situations and functions.
3. Performs other related duties, including special projects, as requested or required.
4. Regular, reliable and punctual attendance is an essential function of the job.

Minimum Qualifications


Applicants for trainee police officer must:

(1) be at least 19.5 years of age and not have reached 45 years of age on the date the civil service written examination is given;
(2) have demonstrated safe driving habits and be qualified to drive a motor vehicle in Texas;
(3) for any completed military service, a designation of honorable or uncharacterized discharge as indicated on separation documents provided by the military; and
(4) meet one of the following qualifications:
(A) a minimum of 45 semester hours college credit with a C average or better from an accredited college or university;

(B) a minimum of 36 months of full time certified law enforcement experience (from date of receipt of license) 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 the date of application;

(C) an active, valid Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic Peace Officer license; or


(D) a minimum of 36 months active service in the Armed Forces of the United States with an honorable discharge or an uncharacterized discharge as indicated on separation documents provided by the military. Applicants whose military service is no more than 10 calendar days less than 36 months are acceptable; more than 10 days less than the full 36 months requires approval from the Assistant Chief of Police over the Personnel and Support Division; or

(E) be at least 2l years of age with a minimum of a high school diploma or general education development (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 have valid driver's license with good driving record.
• Must possess the physical/medical health to adequately perform the duties of a Police Officer

EXAM DESCRIPTION: Exam covers map reading, reading comprehension, prioritization, probability, vocabulary and word use, mathematics, sentence clarity, and character comparison.
TIME LIMIT: Three (3) hours
Practice Test:

Supplemental Information
Dallas Police Department Process

PHASE I

Once candidates pass the Civil Service process, they will be contacted and referred to the Dallas Police Department Recruiting Unit to continue the process (Physical readiness test, Document completion/verification, Polygraph, Applicant Interview Board)
In-Person Testing:

Once you have been notified that you have passed the Civil Service process, you will be scheduled for in-person testing. In-person testing consists of the following steps:

• Physical Readiness Test
• Document completion/verification
• Polygraph
• Applicant Interview Board

Prior to arriving for in-person testing, please download, complete, and print the following forms (Do not sign the forms) Out of area applicants may be asked to email a copy of these forms to ensure eligibility before traveling

• Preliminary Interview Form: Applicants answer a series of questions to confirm they meet the minimum requirements and have no disqualifying factors.

The form can be found here: Preliminary Interview Form.pdf

• Personal History Statement: The Personal History Statement will be used as a basis for a background investigation that will determine your eligibility for becoming an employee.
  
  The form can be found here: Personal History Statement.pdf

Physical Readiness Test


Applicants must bring appropriate athletic training clothes (no tank tops), running shoes, small towel, snacks, and drinking water in a small bag to testing.
Before traveling to Dallas, ensure you can pass the physical readiness test. We expect 100% effort! The test is given in the order shown below.

• Vertical Jump (minimum 6.5 inches)
• Bench Press, free weights (*minimum 56% of your body weight)
• Illinois Shuttle Run (maximum time of 24.9 seconds)
• Sit-ups (minimum of 14 repetitions in 1 minute)
• 300 Meter Run (maximum time of 110 seconds)
• Push-ups (minimum of 4 repetitions)
• 1.5 Miles Run (maximum time of 19:09 minutes)

*(Current Body Weight X 0.56 = Bench Press Weight)

Document Completion/Verification
Dallas Police Department personnel will verify all required supporting documents brought by the applicant. Applicants will finalize any portions of their documents that need clarification or completion before signing. Applicants will complete a pre-polygraph questionnaire in preparation for the polygraph examination.
Polygraph Examination

The polygraph examination is used to verify the truthfulness of the information provided by the applicant and to inquire about undetected crimes, illegal drug use, employment, and other relevant information.
Applicant Interview Board (AIB)

Applicants appear in front of a board in formal business attire. Applicants are asked scenario-based questions and are graded on their appearance, communication skills, judgment, and logical reasoning.
Once the applicant completes the in-person testing the background investigation will begin.
Background Investigation

Applicants who pass all the previous steps proceed to the background investigation. Applicants must submit a complete, detailed, and accurate Personal History Statement. A detective conducts an extensive background investigation to include but not limited to, contacting all prior/present employers, references, co-workers, ex-spouses, family members, and schools. Also, the applicant's residential history, record of financial responsibility, military records, driving history are investigated. Background investigations typically take two to four months to complete. Most delays are caused by the lack of reference response. Once the background investigation is completed, the applicant's file is routed through the chain of command for review and approval. If the applicant is approved for hire, he/she a conditional offer of employment.
PHASE II

Once the applicant accepts the conditional offer of employment, he/she must return to Dallas to complete the below tests:

• Psychological Examination: Applicants complete two psychological written tests and are interviewed by a staff psychologist.
• Medical Examination: The applicant's physical and medical conditions are evaluated to ensure that he/she can function safely as a police officer.
• Drug Screening: Applicants provide samples, and these are analyzed to detect the use of illegal drugs.

To view the employee benefits offered by the City of Dallas
01


In the questions that follow, you will be asked about your education, work history and/or current certifications and licenses. Answers given in this supplemental questionnaire must be able to be verified with the information provided in the Education, Work History and/or Certificates and Licenses sections of your application .Information submitted on attached documents such as resumes and cover letters WILL NOT be used to determine eligibility for this position.If you have NOT completed the application requirements, please return to the application and complete the appropriate section(s) before submitting.

• I have read and understand the above statement

02


Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have thirty-six (36) months of full-time, consecutive employment experience?

• Yes
• No

04


This job posting requires qualifying documents be attached to the application when submitted. Examples of qualifying documents as as follows:• College Transcripts/Unofficial Transcript (if qualifying using college education): must include semester hours completed and overall GPA. Diplomas are not considered a qualified document - DO NOT attach copies of your degree(s)• Military DD214 (member page 4) (if separated) OR Statement of Service (if currently active) (These documents MUST BE provided for ANY federal military service)

• I have attached ALL required documents

05


Do you have forty-five (45) semester hours of college credit (excluding developmental and repeated courses) with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher from a college or university accredited by a Regional Institutional Accrediting Organization?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you have a minimum of thirty-six (36) months ACTIVE service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America with an Honorable Discharge?

• Yes
• No
• Still active and within seven (7) months of having thirty-six (36) months of active service
• N/A

07


Military Service: Please select from the list below:

• No Military Service
• State National Guard Service ONLY
• Reserve Military Service ONLY
• Active Military Service ONLY
• Active AND Reserve or National Guard Military Service

08


If you are CURRENTLY on ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE, what is your anticipated discharge date? (if you do not have military service or you have been discharged from Active duty, enter N/A in the space below.)


09


Do you have a valid Texas Commission of Law Enforcement license (TCOLE)?

• Yes
• No

10


Do you have thirty-six (36) months of full-time certified law enforcement experience (from date of receipt of license) with a city, county or state law enforcement agency and be currently employed or separated from the agency for no more four (4) months prior to the date of application?

• Yes
• No

11


Are you able to provide proof of your identity and employment eligibility if you are hired? (Added 4/12/24)

• Yes
• No

12


Are you at least 19 1/2 years old as of the date of this application?
NOTE: Applicants under the age of twenty-one (21) must have at least sixty (60) semester hours of college credit (excluding developmental and repeated courses) with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher from a college or university accredited by a Regional Institutional Accrediting Organization.

• Yes
• No

13


Are you at least 21 years old as of the date of this application?

• Yes
• No

14


What is your birth date (mm/dd/yyyy format)?
15


Have you EVER been convicted of a FELONY or Class A MISDEMEANOR ?

• Yes
• No

16


Have you been convicted of a Class B MISDEMEANOR within the last 10 years?

• Yes
• No

17


Have you EVER been convicted of a family violence offense?

• Yes
• No

18


Are you currently on deferred adjudication for any FELONY , Class A MISDEMEANOR or Class B MISDEMEANOR charge?

• Yes
• No

19


Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

20


What drew you to Dallas Police Department? (Select all that apply)

• Salary
• Benefits
• Schedule
• Promotional Opportunities
• Call Volume
• Family Ties
• Desire to Serve
• Other

21


If a Dallas Police Department employee referred you for the position you are applying for, please list their name below.


22


Where did you hear about our department? (Select all that apply)

• Job Fair
• Veterans Job Fair
• Recruiter
• Radio Ad
• Website
• Word of Mouth
• Other

23


Are you a former Dallas Police Officer/Police Officer Trainee applying for rehire/reappointment?

• Yes
• No

Required Question