Police Officer - Certified

Shape What's Next for Sugar Land!

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

The City of Sugar Land serves over 110,000 residents and is known for its high quality of life and commitment to innovation. Our team is driven by service, collaboration, and a shared goal of making our community even better.

At the City of Sugar Land, we're building a high-performing, innovative community where employees are empowered to make an impact. You'll join a collaborative team, enjoy strong benefits from day one, and have real opportunities to grow your career.

We follow our BLAZE values by encouraging bold ideas, fostering a supportive and collaborative team, adapting to change, holding ourselves to high standards, and empowering employees to grow, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.

What We Offer

• A competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance package with coverage starting Day 1
• TMRS pension with 2:1 city match; 457(b) options
• Paid holidays and vacation (up to 160 hours at 11 years with the City)
• Wellness programs, mental health resources, and an EAP
• Grow your career with professional development programs, training opportunities, and career advancement through our Gold Standard People Development Division.

What We Pay

Starting Pay: $78,250 annually ($37.62 per hour)

• Annual salary increases up to max ($105,685) in Step 10 (9+ years of service as a Police Officer with Sugar Land). If applicants are extended an offer of employment and have a start date prior to their academy graduation and/or TCOLE licensure, they will be Paid as a Police Officer – Non-Certified (Recruit) ($64,314 ANNUALLY) as listed on the City website until their licensure.
• 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

• 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

Summary of Requirements

A Police Officer – Certified is an individual who has attended a Police Academy and is certified and licensed as a Peace Officer by TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) or who is currently enrolled in a Texas Police Academy. This category also includes applicants who have, or are in the process of, challenging TCOLE as an Out of State or Federal applicant but do not have at least 3 years of service as a sworn peace officer with their most recent police agency that allows them to apply as a Police Officer- Lateral.

Candidates who have applied with the expectation of academy graduation and 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.

In addition to completion of the academy and TCOLE licensure, it is preferred that candidates also have:

• A Bachelor's 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 should be within the last 7 years from the date of application and must be full-time work.

In addition, qualified candidates must be a U.S. Citizen, 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, 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 online. Non-smokers are preferred.

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 available testing dates to schedule. To complete an application, go to click on "Employment", scroll to the list of open positions and select "Police Officer – Lateral (In State)". You must complete the on-line application.

Step 2: Testing (Physical Assessment and Interview Panel – conducted the same day ) – Scheduled for Sunday, November 8th, 2026

1. A physical assessment will be administered. Applicants will be required to pass the Texas DPS 2000 meter row standard at 60%.

2. An interview will be conducted with those applicants who have passed the physical assessment. This interview is pass or fail, and will consist of 3 parts:

• Getting to know the applicant
• Job knowledge questions
• Situational reasoning questions

Step 3: Oral Review Board – Candidates will be assigned 1 day between November 9th and 11th, 2026

Following the preliminary 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, offering a deeper assessment compared to the prior preliminary interview.

• Getting to know the applicant
• Job knowledge questions
• Situational reasoning questions

Step 4: Background 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: Polygraph Examination