Police Officer Qualifications

• TCLEOSE Licensing Requirements
  All applicants must meet minimum requirements for licensing as set forth by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). Please refer to the following websites for clarification:
  www.tcleose.state.tx.us/content/faq.cfm
  
• Education
  • Have 60 credit college hours from an accredited college or university. Accreditation 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).
    
    or
    
    
  • Three years of active duty military experience with an honorable discharge;
    
    or
    
    
  • be eligible for certification from TCLEOSE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standard and Education) and have at least two years of experience as a regular full-time peace officer for a city, county, state or federal law enforcement agency (Military Police experience is not considered regular full-time peace officer experience).
• 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: Push 70% of body weight; leg press 2.1 X body weight; and run 1.5 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: College Transcript (college transcripts must be originals or certified copies); Birth Certificate (original or certified copy); Form DD-214 - Applicants with military service will have 5 points added to their raw test score provided they submit a DD-214 stating 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.