Police Officer Qualifications

• Applicants be eligible for certification from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). Please refer to Texas Administrative Code Title 37 Chapter 217.1 for clarification.
  
  AND any of the following:
  
  
  • Applicants must have at least a Bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.0 GPA from an accredited* college or university;
    
    or
    
    
  • possess a high school diploma or GED and have at least three years of experience as a regular full-time peace officer with arrest powers for a city, county, state or federal law enforcement agency during the period immediately preceding their the submission date of their application;
    
    or
    
    
  • possess a high school diploma or GED and at least three years of active duty military experience and have exited within 18 months prior to submitting their application;
    
    or
    
    
  • possess 30 or more college hours with at least a 2.0 GPA for applicants who have completed at least three years of active duty military service and have exited more than 18 months, but less than 36 months, prior to submitting their application;
    
    or
    
    
  • three years of experience in a Grand Prairie Police Department non-civil service position and 30 accredited college semester hours.
    
    *Accreditation for college semester hours or degrees must be from one of the six regional associations of colleges and schools as follows: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACHE), New England Association of Colleges and Schools (NEACHE), North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACHE), Northwest Association of Colleges and Schools (NWASC), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCC) or Western Association of Colleges and Schools (WASC).
• Age Limit
  Must be between the ages of 21 and 44. A person 45 years of age or older is not eligible for a beginning position as a police officer.
• Physical Condition
  Must meet the following physical fitness standards: Bench press 70% of body weight; leg press 2.1 X body weight; and run 1.5 miles in 15:20.
• Citizenship
  Must be U.S. Citizen.
• Driver’s License
  Applicants must possess a valid Texas driver’s license and have no more than two events (moving violations or accidents) in the 24 months preceding the date of application. Out of state applicants may apply, but must obtain a Texas driver’s license upon employment with the city.
• Character/Background
  Applicants will undergo a background investigation. Applicants with felony convictions will not be considered for employment; applicants cannot be on probation for any offense on the date of the civil service test; no DWI/DUI convictions within the last 120 months/10 years; and no applicant may be certified as eligible for appointment to the position of police officer whose drug usage does not comply with those standards set by the City of Grand Prairie Civil Service Commission.
• Documentation
  All applicants must provide the following documentation at time of application:
  
  
  • Birth Certificate (original or certified copy);
  • Form DD-214 - Applicants with military service will have 5 points added to their passing raw test score provided they submit a DD-214 reflecting an honorable discharge.

  Applicants have 10 days after the Civil Service Exam to complete the background packet (Personal History Statement).

The Grand Prairie Police Department offers a Lateral Entry Program for experienced Police officers. If you qualify for the Lateral Entry Program, your starting salary will correspond with your experience and size of your current agency..