Police Officer - Recruit

Salary : $64,313.60 Annually
Location : 1200 Highway 6 South Sugar Land, TX
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2400303
Department: Police
Opening Date: 05/29/2026
Closing Date: 6/26/2026 5:00 PM Central

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


Why Should You Join Our Team?

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 .

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 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 non-certified Police Officer recruits a starting salary of $30.92 per hour .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...

If we have your attention... Please continue reading!

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!

A Police Officer - Non-Certified (Recruit) is an individual who will attend and successfully complete a Basic Peace Officer Certification Course at an approved TCOLE Academy in adherence to the Academy guidelines. This individual must successfully pass the TCOLE Basic Peace Officer Certification Examination.

Qualified candidates must have:

• A Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate Degree, or an expected graduation within 180 days of the submission of their application, from an accredited school or university with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. (The institution/program must be recognized as accredited through the U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education.)

OR

• Two years active United States Armed Forces Military Experience with an Honorable Discharge or an expected discharge within 180 days of their application.

OR

• The completion, or expected completion within 180 days, of a military obligation of at least 6 years (US Military Reservists)

OR

• A stable job history of 5 or more years at a single employer or while owning their own business. Candidates in this category should be able to demonstrate an emphasis on personal and professional growth, successes in their employment field, and actions or organizational memberships that serve as a model to be emulated by others. This 5 years of stable job history must be within the last 7 years from the date of application.

Candidates who have applied with the expectation of an honorable discharge or completion of a degree program 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.


In addition, qualified candidates must be a U.S. Citizen, 21 years old, or older, must have a valid driver 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: written test, 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. Must successfully complete and graduate from the Police Academy and pass the Texas Police Officer Certification (TCOLE) exam. A job description for a City of Sugar Land Certified Police Officer is posted on-line. Non-smokers are preferred.

Compensation

• Starting Pay: $64,314 ($30.92 per hour)
  • Recruit pay is increased to Certified Officer Pay ($78,250) upon successful completion of the academy. Recruits will continue to progress through the Police Officer pay scale once certified. Officers earn up to $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
• Plus, Incentive pay for TCOLE Certificates
  • TCOLE Intermediate Certificate - $600 annually
  • TCOLE Advanced Certificate - $1,200 annually
  • TCOLE Master Certificate - $1,800 annually
• Additional Incentive Pays
  • Field Training Officer ($1,500 annually) or Field Training Coordinator ($3,000 annually)
  • SWAT or Crisis Negotiator Assignment ($1,500 annually)
  • Longevity Pay - $4/month up to $1,200 annually after 13 months of employment
• Member - Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) - 7% contribution with 2:1 matching funds.
• Excellent health benefits.
• Uniforms, weapons and equipment provided.
• 13 paid holidays annually,
• 80 hours paid vacation annually (up to 160 hours at 11 years with City),
• Paid sick leave accrual of 3.69 hours per pay period;
• Paid Parental Leave - up to 6 weeks;
• Fitness Incentive Program (up to 80 hours Paid Leave Annually)
• Other specialty and assignment pays are available

Recruitment/Selection Process (You must pass each step of the selection process before you go to the next step.)

Step 1: Complete an Application

Applications will only be accepted during the specified period. Qualified candidates will be notified by e-mail that they are eligible to test and provided the testing date. To complete an application, go to click on "Employment", scroll to the list of open positions and select "Police Officer - Non-Certified (Recruit)". You must complete the on-line application.


Step 2: Testin g (Written Test, Physical Assessment and Preliminary Interview Panel -scheduled for same day)

1. Report on the date, time and location for the written test. Passing score is 70% or higher on each section other than math which requires 50%.
2. Applicants who have passed the written test will be given a physical assessment will be administered after the written test. Applicants will be required to pass the Texas DPS 2000 meter row standard at 50%.
3. A preliminary interview will be conducted with those applicants who have passed both the written test and physical assessment. This interview is pass or fail, and will consist of 3 parts:
   1. getting to know the applicant
   2. job knowledge questions
   3. situational reasoning questions

Step 3: Oral Review Board

After the initial interview applicants will be scheduled for an in depth interview with the Oral Review Board. This interview is pass or fail, and will consist of 3 parts (in more detail than the preliminary interview conducted at an earlier time):

1. Getting to know the applicant
2. Job knowledge questions
3. Situational reasoning questions

Step 4: Back ground Packet Submission and Investigation

Applicants who pass the phases of testing and interview panel will submit their completed personal history statement to the Training Unit. A background investigation will be conducted.

Step 5: Poly graph Examination

Applicants who pass the background investigation and are being considered for sworn employment will undergo a polygraph examination.


Related Time Periods and Information:

This process will remain open until positions are filled. If an applicant is rejected for any of the reasons listed in the "Rejection Criteria", they will be required to wait the specified time to apply again.
Final Steps: Eli gibility Pool, Conditional Job Offer, Medical and Psychological Testing

Candidates who pass all of the above are placed in an eligibility (applicant) pool. This is not a guarantee of employment; however, the City of Sugar Land does make job offers from the applicant pool. Subsequently, if a conditional job offer is made to a candidate by the Chief of Police, the candidate must successfully complete medical and psychological exams before a final job offer is made by the People & Culture Department.

Candidates should be aware that sensitive or confidential aspects of their personal lives will be explored.
Equal Opportunity Employer - Drug Free Workplace
Posted 05/29/2026
For detailed information and to apply online please visit our website at and look under "Job Opportunities". For any other inquiries please contact the Sugar Land Police Department Training Unit at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

CITY OF SUGAR LAND's OVERVIEW OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS)

Employee contribution: 7%

City matches 2:1 with 5-year vesting

Retirement Eligibility:

1) Age 60 + vested; or

2) 20 years of service, any age

• HOLIDAYS

The City recognizes 10 Holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating Holiday. In lieu of a floating holiday,
firefighters will receive September 11th, Patriot Day, as a fixed holiday.

• VACATION - Other than Public Safety

0 -2nd Year 10 days per year
3 -10 Years 15 days per year

11+ Years 20 days per year

• VACATION - Public Safety

First Year 10 days per year

2-10 Years 15 days per year

11+ Years 20 days per year

• SICK LEAVE - Other than Firefighters

8 hours per month, to a maximum of 1,040 hours

• SICK LEAVE - Shift Firefighters

12 hours per month, to a maximum of 1,456 hours

• SICK LEAVE INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Annual conversion of sick leave to vacation

Sick Days Used from 01/01 to 12/31 Eligible Sick Days for Conversion

1 day or less taken 3 days

Up to 2 ½ days 2 days

More than 2 ½ days and up to 4 days 1 day

More than 4 days 0 day

• LONGEVITY PAY

After one year of employment, employees will receive an annual payment of $4.00 per month of employment with the City for the first 25 years of continuous employment (maximum of $1,200 annually). Qualified employees receive longevity payments each December.

• 125 CAFETERIA PLAN

Premium contributions for the medical and dental plans as well as Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts are available to all full-time employees through this arrangement.

• GROUP HEALTH & DENTAL

The City contributes to employee and dependent coverage in the HMO, HDHP and dental plans offered.
Medical HSA KelseyCare Gold KelseyCare Blue Employee Only $101.44 $19.56 $0.00 EE + Spouse $346.60 $144.55 $96.48 EE + Child(ren) $257.51 $106.09 $66.79 EE + Family $454.39 $202.24 $141.00 Dental DPPO DHMO Employee Only $7.35 $3.14 EE + Spouse $18.49 $5.89 EE + Child(ren) $17.90 $8.45 EE + Family $31.41 $10.33 Vision Plan Employee Only $7.35 EE + Spouse $18.49 EE + Child(ren) $17.90 EE + Family $31.41

• VISION CARE PLAN

Employees can voluntarily elect to purchase vision care insurance for themselves and their eligible dependents.

• AFLAC PLANS

Employees can voluntarily elect to purchase through payroll deduction: Accident, Cancer, Critical Illness, and Hospital policies for themselves and their eligible dependents. (Rates are age-banded. Employee must contact representative directly for rates and enrollment.)

• BASIC LIFE and AD&D

The City provides all employees annual salary of life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage of one-time annual salary with a minimum of $50,000.

• LONG TERM DISABILITY

The City provides employees with Long Term Disability in the amount of 60% of your salary (depending on position category) to a maximum of $7,500 per month. Benefits begin after 90 days of disability and may continue to Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA) if you qualify. LTD is designed to replace a reasonable portion of your income in case of
serious injury or sickness whether on or off the job. Benefits will be offset by any payments from SS, Workers Comp and other income offsets.

• SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE and AD&D

Employees can elect supplemental life insurance and AD&D coverage up to $750,000 for themselves and up to $250,000 for their spouse; as well as $15,000 of life insurance for child(ren).

• SHORT TERM DISABILITY

This optional benefit allows employees to receive 70% of their weekly salary, to a maximum of $1,500 per week (tax free), following either Option A: a 30-calendar day elimination period; or Option B: a 7-calendar (injury) or 14-calendar (illness) elimination period, for a maximum of 90-calendar days from on-set per qualifying incident.

• PRE-PAID LEGAL PLAN

Employees can voluntarily elect to participate in a legal access/assistance plan at a base cost of $7.87 per pay period. Optional plans are also available. ( Employee must contact representative directly for rates and enrollment.)

• DEFERRED COMPENSATION

Employees are allowed to contribute to this optional program at a minimum set by the plan administrator and a maximum set annually by the IRS. Currently the City contracts with 2 administrators for this program: Dearborn & Creggs ($50 per month minimum contribution); and ICMA-RC ($1.00 per month min. contribution). The maximum contribution for 2023 is $19,500
and $6,500 for age 50 + catch-up.

• CREDIT UNIONS

Houston Federal Credit Union: (866) OUR-HFCU

Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union: View phone number on click.appcast.io

• EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE

The EAP is designed to provide employees and their dependents with professional, cost-effective assistance in resolving difficult personal problems. Individual, voluntary involvement in the EAP is confidential. The City's EAP administrator is Alliance Work Partners (AWP) at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Registration code: AWP-COSL-3822
01


Please indicate which of the following criteria qualifies you for this position (select all that apply).

• A Bachelor's Degree, Master's, or Doctorate Degree, or an expected graduation within 180 days of the submission of their application, from an accredited school or university with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. (The institution/program must be recognized as accredited through the U.S. Department of Education - Office of Postsecondary Education.)
• Two years active United States Armed Forces Military Experience with an Honorable Discharge or an expected discharge within 180 days of their application.
• The completion, or expected completion within 180 days, of a military obligation of at least 6 years (US Military Reservists)
• A stable job history of 5 or more years at a single employer or while owning their own business. Candidates in this category should be able to demonstrate an emphasis on personal and professional growth, successes in their employment field, and actions or organizational memberships that serve as a model to be emulated by others. This 5 years of stable job history must be within the last 7 years from the date of application.

Required Question