Certified Police Officer and Police Cadet

Salary : $54,109.12 - $65,538.72 Annually
Location : 310 Nolan Street, Big Spring, TX
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00136
Department: Police
Division: Police Department
Opening Date: 12/12/2025

The City of Big Spring Police Department is accepting applications for Entry-Level Police Officer candidates for an upcoming testing date.

Testing Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Location: Big Spring Police Department, 3613 West Highway 80, Big Spring, Texas
Time: 9:00 a.m.

All applications must be submitted online by the application deadline. Interested applicants can apply by visiting:
Questions? Contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email


WORKING CONDITIONS AND BENEFITS

A Big Spring Police Officer works forty (40) hours per week on different shifts, and overtime may be required. Patrol officers work twelve-hour shifts with every other weekend off. The City of Big Spring offers excellent benefits, including a fully equipped take-home patrol vehicle, twelve paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, medical, dental, and vision insurance, deferred compensation program, City-paid life and long-term disability insurance, TMRS (7% 2 to 1 match), 120 hours of paid vacation, and 40 hours of paid sick leave. BSPD officers are not required to reside in Big Spring, but they must live within one hour of the City of Big Spring.


Certified officers are eligible for a relocation incentive payment of $4,500.00, payable on the day of hire. Newly hired certified officers who relocate their primary residence to Big Spring are also eligible for an $800 monthly housing allowance for up to one year.


An officer hired by the Big Spring Police Department and having personally incurred expenses for tuition and fees within the twelve (12) months preceding the date of hire to attend any training school meeting Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education requirements for a basic academy and received his or her certification as a result, will be eligible for reimbursement in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00.


Non-certified academy cadets receive comprehensive training at their full starting salary, including sixteen weeks at the police academy before field training at the department. Candidates are provided with a vehicle to travel to and from the police academy in Midland, Texas. Free dormitory-type housing is available for non-certified cadets attending the police academy.

PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST:

All applicants who pass the written test must take and pass the Big Spring Police Department PAT to move forward in the recruitment process. A sample test includes the following five events:

1. 220-YARD RUN: 42 seconds - The applicant will run 220 yards in the time allotted.
2. 165 LB DUMMY DRAG: 35 seconds - Lift and drag a 165-pound lifelike mannequin 75 feet.
3. OBSTACLE COURSE: 80 seconds - Applicant will run an obstacle course consisting of several sharp turns, several curb-height obstacles, a 4-foot high wall that the applicant must climb over, and an incline wall that the applicant must climb.

Interested individuals must complete the online Police Officer application to be eligible to test. If you meet the minimum requirements and are committed to serving your community, a career with us is right for you. Please get in touch with Stacie King at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io for more information on starting your career with the Big Spring Police Department.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be 21 years of age; or 18 years of age if the applicant has received:
  • an associate's degree; or 60 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university;
  • or has received an honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United States after at least two years of active service.
• High School diploma or GED as required by the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement (TCOLE).
• Ability to read, write, and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with the completion of high school or equivalent.
• Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the State of Texas for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• Ability to meet current requirements set forth by the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement to be certified as a Peace Officer.
• No marijuana use in the two (2) years before the application date.
• No use of a controlled substance in the five (5) years before the application date.
• No arrest record with a higher than a Class C Misdemeanor.
• Pass the written examination with a score of 70 or higher and pass the physical agility test.
• Must reside within a one-hour response time to the City of Big Spring.

There are a wide variety of benefits available to City of Big Spring employees. These benefits include health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, optional life insurance plans, flexible spending account for health and dependent care, an Employee Assistance Program, and a Tuition Reimbursement Program.

The City of Big Spring provides the following benefits to all regular, full-time employees:

1. Texas Municipal Retirement System
2. Deferred Compensation (Retirement)
3. Health Insurance
4. Dental Insurance
5. Life and Long Term Disability Insurance
6. Cafeteria Plan
7. Workman's Compensation
8. Longevity Pay for years of service
9. Paid Uniforms
10. Stand By Pay
11. Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
12. Paid Holidays
13. Recreation Privileges
14. Wellness Program
15. Tuition Reimbursement Program

Texas Municipal Retirement System
The City of Big Spring is a member of the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Employee/employer supported retirement begins at the date of employment. An employee contributes seven percent of their monthly wages to TMRS. The City then matches the employee contribution two to 1 upon retirement. Employees are eligible to retire after 20 years of service. Retirement becomes vested after five years of participation in TMRS.

• Applicants with prior or current military could receive up to 60 months towards their retirement for TMRS.

Deferred Compensation (Retirement)
The 457b Deferred Compensation plan is provided to City employees in lieu of Social Security. Employees pay 6.7% of their adjusted gross salary. This amount is matched by the City as follows:

5.51% Contributed to the deferred compensation retirement
2.19% Pays for the life and disability insurance package

7.70% Total matched funds

Health Insurance
The City of Big Spring pays the cost of employees insurance and supplements the cost of dependent insurance. Dependent health insurance coverage is available at the following rates:

Family Coverage $832.45/Monthly $416.23/Bi-Weekly
Spouse Coverage $614.89/Monthly $307.45/Bi-Weekly
Child Coverage $305.45/Monthly $152.73/Bi-Weekly

Payment for dependent health insurance coverage is deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks. Pharmacy cards are included in the health insurance package. If dependent insurance coverage is purchased, dependents will also receive the pharmacy card.


Dental Insurance
Dental insurance coverage is available to City employees at the following rates:

Employee Only $22.08/Monthly $11.04/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Spouse $44.78/Monthly $22.39/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Children $49.64/Monthly $24.82/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Family $72.40/Monthly $36.20/Bi-Weekly

Payments for dental insurance are deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks. Employees enrolled in the dental plan will also be eligible for the discount Vision Access program and receive discounts on vision care services or supplies.

Vision Insurance
Vision insurance coverage is available to City employees at the following rates:

Employee Only $8.02/Monthly $4.01/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Spouse $15.20/Monthly $7.60/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Children $16.02/Monthly $8.01/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Family $20.42/Monthly $10.21/Bi-Weekly

Payments for vision insurance are deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks.


Life and Long Term Disability Insurance
The City of Big Spring's life insurance policy provides for a death benefit equal to four times the employee's annual salary. In addition to the standard life insurance, employees may purchase optional life insurance. The long term disability package ensures that in the event of a permanent disability, a maximum of 20% of the employee's monthly salary is paid up to a maximum or $3,000.00 per month.

Cafeteria Plan (AFLAC)
The City provides a program to allow employees to tax shelter day care and certain medical expenses. This insurance provides a tax savings increasing the employee's take home pay.

Workman's Compensation
The City of Big Spring meets the standard state requirements for Workman's Compensation. If an employee is injured on the job, he/she report the incident to the department supervisor immediately.

Longevity Pay for Years of Service
City employees are given longevity pay based on their length of service with the City of Big Spring. After one year of service, City employees receive longevity payments on their bi-weekly paycheck. After two years of service, employees are given the option to continue to receive a bi-weekly payment or they can elect to bank their longevity payments. Employees who bank their longevity payments will receive a lump sum payment once a year, prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.


Years of service Annual Bi-Weekly
1 to 9 $72.00 $2.77
10 to 14 $96.00 $3.70
15 to 19 $120.00 $4.62
20+ years $144.00 $5.54

Uniforms
The City provides uniforms for employees who are required to wear certain attire to work. Three to five uniforms are furnished to employees, along with other suitable foul weather and safety gear. Police and Fire Department personnel may have different benefits.

Stand By Pay
City employees in certain positions are eligible for stand-by pay. Stand-by pay is $75 for each week the employee is required to serve on stand-by time. Stand-by time means a period of time outside an employee's regularly scheduled work hours, during which the employee is required to remain available within a specified response time. Each employee on stand-by who is called in to work shall be compensated for the actual hours worked at the appropriate rate of pay.

Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
Paid vacation days are time off work that the City of Big Spring voluntarily provides its employees as a benefit. The number of paid vacation days is accrued by full-time, permanent employees based on years of service. Vacation time is accrued based on the following schedule:

Police Officer Vacation Accrual

• Probationary - 5 days/year

Non-Probationary

• 1-9 years - 15 days/year
• 10-14 years - 17 days/year
• 15-19 years - 18 days/year
• 20-24 years - 19 days/year
• 25 plus years - 20 days/year

Sick Time
Full-time permanent employees shall earn sick time based on the following schedule:

• 1-2 years - 5 days/year
• 3-4 years - 10 days/year
• 5-9 years - 12 days/year
• 10+ years - 15 days/year

Vacation Buy Back
Every November, eligible employees can sell back to the City, for cash, up to sixty-eight (68) hours of their accumulated vacation leave.


Paid Holidays
The City of Big Spring recognizes the following public holidays for City employees. Please note that most City employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule. As such, when a holiday falls on a non workday -- Saturday or Sunday -- the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Presidents Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day and the day following
Christmas (two days given)

Wellness Program
In an effort to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors, the City of Big Spring has implemented a Wellness Program for its employees. By joining the Wellness Program, employees receive access to the following benefits:

• Tobacco Cessation Program
• Employee Assistance - counseling for chemical and/or alcohol abuse and mental health screenings
• Reduced cost gym memberships to the YMCA of Big Spring

Tuition Reimbursement Program
The City of Big Spring offers its full-time permanent employees a college Tuition Reimbursement Program. This program is designed to support employees with their personal and professional development by increasing their knowledge and skill level. The City reimburses employees for college tuition and books based on grades.


Recreation Privileges
City employees are eligible for free entry into Moss Creek Lake and discounted fees at the Comanche Trail Golf Course.

Relocation Incentive
Certified Police Officers are eligible for a relocation incentive payment in the amount of $2,400.00, payable upon hire. Employees must relocate their primary residence to Big Spring within 6 months of hire.


Academy Expense Reimbursement
An officer hired by the Big Spring Police Department and having personally incurred expenses for tuition and fees within the twelve (12) months preceding the date of hire to attend any training school meeting Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education requirements for a basic academy and received his or her certification as a result, will be eligible for reimbursement in an amount not to exceed $1,500.00.

Take Care Home Program
The Big Spring Police Department prides itself in having a take home car program. This program is designed for officers and citizens alike. The program allows police officers that live within a one-hour response time to the city limits of Big Spring to take their patrol units home at the end of their shift. Officers that live inside the city limits are allowed to drive their unit while off duty. This program enables officers to serve the public better by offering a crime deterrent by having extra officers driving the streets of Big Spring.