Texas Certified Police Officer / Lateral (Hiring Incentive: $2,500)

Position Summary

Welcome to the City of Lewisville! We are an innovative and dedicated team, and we are thrilled to have you join us. We are deeply committed to our community and believe you will find it a rewarding place to work. We look forward to seeing the contributions you will make.

Hiring Incentive: Up to $2,500.00
The selection process for Certified Police Officer consists of several steps and is intended to produce the most current list of candidates who are qualified to become Lewisville Police Officers. The City of Lewisville does not fall under State Civil Service Law.
  
The starting annual salary for Police Officer is $86,268.00 increasing to $89,688.00 after completion of the Field Training Program; the top of range salary for Police Officer is $108,991.00. For lateral entry program and salary, please see below.

Selection Process and Background Standards: You will find detailed information on the hiring process for Certified Police Officer by following this link: Click Here. We highly encourage applicants to read this document to know what to expect when applying.
 
Selection Process Steps:

1. Submit online application
2. Schedule row test date
3. Complete a Personal History Statement (PHS) prior to row testing (received in an email From HR)
4. Complete required row testing 
5. Submit the completed Personal History Statement
6. Receive, complete, and return a Polygraph Statement (received in an email from HR)
7. Background Investigation
8. Polygraph Test 
9. Chief's Interview
10. Physical and drug examination
11. Psychological examination

Lateral Hire Program:
A lateral Police Officer from Texas is eligible for a starting salary based on their whole years of police experience. Service time, for determining the starting salary, can include multiple agencies if breaks in service are less than thirty days and all agencies meet the required criteria.

A lateral Police Officer from another state must come from an agency of 50 or more officers or have policed a population of 25,000 or more people to be eligible for the lateral program. Service time, for determining the starting salary, can include multiple agencies if breaks in service are less than thirty days and all agencies meet the required criteria.          
The following requirements MUST be met to be considered for the lateral hire program for Certified Police Officer:

• All Texas Certified Peace Officers are eligible for lateral entry.
• Officers certified in other states must be eligible to obtain Texas Peace Officer certification through TCOLE. Here is a link to the pathway for out of state officers seeking licensure through TCOLE: https://www.tcole.texas.gov/content/out-state-peace-officers
• Lateral applicants must have been in a position where they had the authority to enforce laws, investigate crimes, make arrests, respond to calls for service, carry a firearm and use discretion as part of their assigned duties.
• Experienced officers must successfully complete each step in the hiring process in the same manner as any other applicant.
• Applicants with a law enforcement background must have received, or will receive, an honorable discharge through Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (for other states, TCOLE equivalent) to be employed by the Lewisville Police Department. 
• Applicants must meet the requirements for sponsorship as a States Witness for Denton County or any other County. Any questions regarding the lateral hire call Inv. Maly at 972-219-3616

The starting annual salary for Certified Police Officer lateral entry is: 

Experience | Current Salary
1 year of experience | $93,244
2 years of experience | $96,938
3 years of experience | $100,838
4 years of experience | $104,514
5 years of experience | $108,991

Rowing Calculator- Click Here

500 Meter - Click Here
4 minute test - Click Here

Essential Functions

Position Summary: The Police Officer is the foundation of the department’s geographic accountability model and is directly responsible for the delivery of police services within an assigned beat or district. Officers respond to and self-initiate calls for service, enforce laws, conduct investigations, prepare accurate reports, and uphold departmental policies and values while serving as the most visible representatives of the department in the community. Officers are empowered to identify and address crime, traffic safety, and neighborhood concerns by working directly with residents, businesses, and community stakeholders. They are expected to form strong community relationships, monitor conditions within their assigned areas, and implement solutions to problems without requiring prior approval when appropriate. Officers analyze available data and collaborate with their Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain to make informed decisions that improve safety and quality of life. 

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodation so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Respond to calls for service and proactively perform assigned duties, whether patrol response, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, or specialized assignment, to deter crime, enforce laws, and improve safety. 
• Remain engaged in their assignments and actively contribute to enforcement, investigation, and problem-solving efforts. 
• Identify and arrest offenders, investigate criminal incidents, conduct surveillance, investigate crashes, or prepare case documentation, depending on assignment.
• Enforce state laws, city ordinances, and traffic regulations fairly and consistently; proactively identify and take enforcement action against criminal activity, traffic violations, and other threats to public safety in compliance with law, department, and city policies.
• Investigate incidents by securing scenes, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preparing thorough case documentation.
• Prepare accurate, complete, and timely reports that document enforcement, investigative, and community-policing activity.
• Testify in court as required, maintaining credibility as a professional witness.
• Serve as the foundation of the geographic accountability model. Police Officers are directly responsible for their assigned beats, districts, cases, or special assignments. 
• Build community relationships, remain aware of crime, traffic, and neighborhood concerns, and address problems as they arise. Officers are empowered to implement solutions appropriate to their role, while keeping supervisors informed.
• Monitor crime, traffic safety, and neighborhood concerns; empowered to act on emerging problems and implement solutions when appropriate, while keeping supervisors informed.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with residents, businesses, schools, and community stakeholders to strengthen trust and cooperation.
• Use data such as crime reports, calls for service, crash trends, and community feedback to guide activity and make informed decisions in collaboration with supervisors.
• Participate in community meetings, events, and problem-solving initiatives as a representative of the department.
• Work with Sergeants, Lieutenants, and Captains to identify trends, set priorities, and coordinate solutions to crime, traffic, or neighborhood problems within assigned areas.
• Collaborate with other units of the department to address problems that cross shifts, sections, or divisions.
• Partner with City departments and outside agencies to implement problem-solving strategies and long-term solutions.
• Share information with fellow officers and supervisors to ensure effective coverage and continuity of service.
• Participate in task forces, interagency operations, and multi-jurisdictional investigations when assigned.
• Uphold departmental policies, procedures, and values in all actions and interactions.
• Complete reports, documentation, and video accurately and on time, maintaining accountability for all activity.
• Maintain assigned equipment, vehicles, and technology in a state of readiness, ensuring reliability for public safety.
• Carry forward command direction from supervisors, reinforcing departmental values and professionalism in daily work.
• Commit to continuous learning and personal development through training and education.

Position Qualifications

Education: High School Diploma or GED required.

Experience: No prior experience required. However, some experience as a full-time paid police officer for a law enforcement entity/agency in a position where they had the authority to enforce laws, investigate crimes, make arrests, respond to calls for service, carry a firearm, and use discretion as part of their assigned duties required is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications: None.

Conditions of Employment: Must submit to and pass a pre-employment drug test, physical exam, and psychological and polygraph testing; Must possess a valid State of Texas Driver’s License Class “C” and good driving record as defined by City policy; Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of the written entrance examination; Must be a US Citizen; Ability to pass a background investigation.

Other Requirements: If applying as a lateral-transfer candidate, possess a basic certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement; Be fingerprinted and subjected to a search of records to disclose a criminal record; Not be on probation for a criminal offense; Have vision correctable to 20/20 binocular for all hours of the day including day, evening, and night; Achieve a minimum of 70% of police department physical rowing test using Texas Department of Safety Standards; This position is subject to emergency operations.  The individual holding this position will be required to work as usual or as needed during emergency operations, 2) in preparation for prolonged emergency operations and/ or 3) during recovery from prolonged emergency operations as directed by his/her direct supervisor, Department Head or designee, or the City Manager or designee. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Knowledge of: 

• Federal, State, and local criminal and civil laws, including the Code of Criminal Procedure, Penal Code, Transportation Code, Health & Safety Code, Family Code, and Alcoholic Beverage Code.
• Departmental policies, procedures, and organizational structure.
• Principles of community policing and geographic accountability.
• Basic investigation techniques, traffic enforcement, and patrol operations.
• Rules of evidence, arrest, search and seizure, and courtroom testimony.
• Safe and proper operation of assigned equipment, vehicles, and technology.

Skilled in: 

• Exercising sound judgment and discretion in stressful and dynamic situations.
• Proactively patrolling, responding to calls for service, enforcing laws, and conducting investigations.
• Building relationships and engaging positively with residents, businesses, schools, and community stakeholders.
• Identifying problems within assigned areas and implementing solutions, individually or in collaboration with supervisors and partners.
• Preparing complete, accurate, and timely reports, case files, and related documentation.
• Using technology and departmental systems for communication, records, and evidence management.
• Communicating clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing.
• Working effectively as part of a team and following supervisory direction.
• Maintaining professionalism, integrity, and accountability in all interactions.
• Caring for and ensuring readiness of assigned equipment, vehicles, and technology.

POLICE BACKGROUND STANDARDS:  Please read click here.

Work Hours

Officers are on one of 4 shifts and work 12 hour shifts. 

Here are some samples:

A Shift
6 am - 6 pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday and every other Thursday
7 am - 7 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and every other Thursday
B Shift
4 pm - 4 am Monday Tuesday, Wednesday and every other Thursday
7 pm - 7 am Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and every other Thursday 
RW - 4pm - 4am Monday, Tuesday, Friday Saturday, Sunday  - week 1
RW - 4pm - 4am Wednesday, Thursdays - week 2
C Shift
6 am - 6 pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday and every other Thursday
7 am - 7 pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday and every other Thursday
D Shift
4 pm - 4 am Friday, Saturday, Sunday and every other Thursday
7 pm - 7 am Friday, Saturday, Sunday and every other Thursday 
RW - 4pm - 4am Monday, Tuesday, Friday Saturday, Sunday  - week 1
RW - 4pm - 4am Wednesday, Thursdays - week 2