How to Become a Police Officer in Texas

In Texas the process for becoming an active police officer heavily depends on the area you live in and wish to be employed. Although there are some statewide requirements that are the same regardless of the area (listed below) there are many police departments which have their own list of minimum requirements of applicants. Therefore, it is important that you check with the specific police department that you are hoping to apply to, to see if you fit the minimum requirements or what you still may need to do. Once you have checked to ensure you meet all of the basic requirements of the department then you may submit an application. After submitting the application you may or may not be called upon to attempt the hiring process. Step one would be to pass the written exam and preliminary interview. Next is the physical fitness test, board interview, background check and polygraph. If all these are passed then there are psychological tests, medical exam and a drug test. If everything is passed and the department offers you a position you would then be sent to initial entry training.

How to Become a Texas Officer

As stated above, each department in Texas may have its own additional requirements, however here are some of the basic requirements: legal US citizen, not a felon, clean record, driver’s license, and high school diploma or GED. Many areas of Texas require college credit depending on age. If a person is 21 for instance, they may only be required 45 hours, whereas a person who is 19 must have completed 60 credit hours. A person with years of military experience may need no college hours at all. Check with the department you wish to apply with and then find out their particular requirements.

Average Police Officer Salary in Texas

The average salary of a police officer in Texas is around 51,000 a year. Since Texas is so big, however, salaries can be drastically different from region to region or even city to city. If you want to know more about a specific region in Texas and the rate of pay check: http://www.lawenforcementedu.net/texas/texas-salary/.

Law Enforcement Schooling programs in Texas

Many police departments in Texas require some college experience. Below is a list of some of the colleges and schools in Texas which offer law enforcement  or criminal justice degrees or related programs:

  • Alvin Community College

3110 Mustang Road, Alvin, TX 77511

281-756-3500

  • Amarillo College

2201 South Washington Street, Amarillo, TX 79109

806-371-5000

  • Angelo State University

2601 W Avenue North, San Angelo, TX 76909

325-942-2555

  • Argosy University

5001 Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy., Farmers Branch, TX 75244

866-954-9900

  • Austin Community College District

5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, TX 78752

512-223-4222

  • Brazosport College

500 College Drive, Lake Jackson, TX 77566

979-230-3000

  • Central Texas College

6200 West Central Texas Expressway, Killeen, TX 76549

254-526-7161

  • Coastal Bend College

3800 Charco Road, Beeville, TX 78102

866-722-2838

  • College of the Mainland

1200 Amburn Road, Texas City, TX 77591

409-938-1211

  • Concordia University Texas

11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin, TX 78726

512-313-3000

  • Dallas County Community College District

Several Locations in Texas, 214-378-1824

  • Del Mar College

101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78404

361-698-1200

  • Grayson County College

3101 Grayson Drive, Denison, TX 75020

903-465-6030

  • Hill College

112 Lamar Drive, Hillsboro, TX 76645

254-659-7500

  • Howard College

1001 Birdwell Lane, Big Spring, TX 79720

432-264-5000

  • Howard Payne University

1000 Fisk Street, Brownwood, TX 76801

800-880-4478

  • Jarvis Christian College

US Hwy 80 E at PR 7631, Hawkins, TX 75765

903-730-4890

  • Lamar State College-Orange

410 Front Street, Orange, TX 77630

409-883-7750

  • Lamar University

4400 MLK Blvd., Beaumont, TX 77710

409-880-7011

  • Lee College

200 Lee Drive, Baytown, TX 77520

800-621-8724

  • McLennan Community College

1400 College Drive, Waco, TX 76708

254-299-8000

  • Midland College

3600 N Garfield St, Midland, TX 79705

432-685-4500

  • North Central Texas College

1525 West California Street. Gainesville, TX 76240

940-668-7731

  • Odessa College

201 W University Blvd., Odessa, TX 79764

432-335-6400

  • Our Lady of the Lake University

411 SW 24th Street, San Antonio, TX 78207

210-434-6711

  • Palo Alto College

1400 W Villaret Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78224

210-486-3000

  • Prairie View A&M University

FM 1098 Road & University Dr., Prairie View, TX 77446

936-261-3311

  • Remington College

Fort Worth, TX / Garland, TX / Houston, TX- 800-323-8122

  • Sam Houston State University

1806 Avenue J, Huntsville, TX 77340

936-294-1111

  • San Jacinto College

8060 Spencer Hwy., Pasadena, TX 77505

281-998-6150

  • St Edward’s University

3001 S Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704

512-448-8400

  • Sul Ross State University

400 North Harrison, Alpine, TX 79832

432-837-8011

  • Texas A & M International University

5201 University Blvd., Laredo, TX 78041

956-326-2001

  • The University of Texas at Arlington

701 S Nedderman Drive, Arlington, TX 76019

817-272-2011

  • The University of Texas at San Antonio

1 Utsa Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249

210-458-4011

  • Tyler Junior College

1327 S Baxter Avenue, Tyler, TX 75701

903-510-2523

  • University of Houston-Downtown

One Main Street, Houston, TX 77002

713-221-8000

  • Weatherford College

225 Cllege Park Drive, Weatherford, TX 76086

817-594-5471

  • West Texas A & M University

2501 4th Avenue, Canyon, TX 79016

806-651-0000

  • Western Texas College

6200 College Drive, Snyder, TX 79549

888-468-6982

  • Wiley College

711 Wiley Avenue, Marshall, TX 75670

903-927-3300