Police Employment Information
CIVIL SERVICE EXAM ANNOUNCEMENT
message from the chief
Welcome to the Temple Police Department Recruiting page! If you have a heart for service and a desire to impact lives in the community, I hope you will apply with the Temple Police Department. At TPD our mission statement is Protecting, Serving, and Working, in Partnership with Our Community, to Prevent, Reduce, and Solve Crime with Integrity, Honor, and Dedication. That statement guides the decisions that we make as an agency and as individuals. Ultimately, policing is about people; relationships, trust and communication are vital to our success. In 1829, Sir Robert Peel wrote, “the police are the public, and the public is the police”. Ultimately, this excerpt explains that the police need the public to be successful and vice versa. Here at the Temple Police Department, we recognize that we cannot be successful without the public’s assistance, and we also recognize that how we do what we do is just as important as getting the job done! Accept the challenge and join Temple Police Department today.-Chief Shawn Reynolds
Sign-On Incentive
Applicants that are TCOLE certified as a Police Officer and have more than three (3) year of continuous service are eligible for a $7,500 sign-on bonus. Upon the successful completion of the Probationary classification, officers will be placed in the appropriate pay scale in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Temple Fire Fighter's and Police Officer's Civil Service Commission, Section 41.01 through 41.10.
Job Description
As a proud member of the Temple Police Department, you have an opportunity to protect and serve a community made up of diverse, hardworking, creative, and passionate people.
- Protect life and property by performing patrol duties in an assigned district
- Respond to calls from dispatch regarding the investigation of all criminal offenses, domestic violence and all other calls
- Make physical arrests, recover stolen property, collect evidence, protect and/or process crime scenes and participate in the seizure of narcotics
- Patrol streets, check buildings and homes, issue traffic citations, investigate traffic accidents, direct crime scenes
- Write police reports detailing facts and information
- Compile reports and maintain logs
- Communicate with other officers and/or agencies to obtain information and work cases
- Appear in court to give testimony
- Participate in classroom, individual, and live evolution training to maintain knowledge and keep current on all aspects of police work
Who Can Be A Police Officer?
Any person desiring to become a City of Temple Police Officer must meet these basic requirements:
- Must be a citizen of the United States of America
- Pass a Civil Service written entrance test
- Be at least 21 years of age at the time the applicant presents themselves to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement but not have attained 56 years of age at the time of the written entrance test
- Be a graduate of an accredited high school OR have an equivalency certificate issued by the Texas Education Agency (or the equivalent agency in another state or District of Columbia) along with 12 hours of college credit
- If a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, must possess an honorable discharge after a minimum of 24 months of active duty and be eligible for re-enlistment
- Must meet all requirements of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement for licensing of Peace Officers
Eligibility Requirements/Disqualifiers
**An applicant younger than 21 years of age may apply if the applicant is at least 18 years of age and meets the educational qualifications as set forth in Section 23(viii) of the Rules and Regulations of the Temple Fire Fighter's and Police Officer's Civil Service Commission; OR will turn 21 years of age by academy graduation date, successfully completes all phases of the selection process, and obtains the approval of the Chief of Police.
How to Apply
The City of Temple Police Department is subject to Civil Service as defined in Local Government Code Chapter 143. The first step to becoming a Temple Police Officer is passing the Civil Service Exam. Exams are given on an as-needed basis, no less than once per year.
The registration packet will contain the qualifications and requirements necessary for the position of Police Officer. All questions regarding qualifications or requirements may be directed to the City of Temple People Operations Office at 254-298-5650, or the City of Temple Police Department at 254-298-5538 or email.
The City of Temple is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
Eligibility List
The Eligibility List is established as a result of the final examination scores, (passing is 70), and is valid for one (1) year, unless otherwise exhausted. An additional five (5) points shall be added to the passing examination grade for an applicant who served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces for not less than one (1) year, and received an honorable discharge. A DD214 Member 4 form must be submitted with the registration form or prior to the start of the exam to be considered.
Applicants who pass the Civil Service examination and who are considered for appointment in the classification of either a Cadet or Probationary Officer, are required to pass each phase of the following selection process:
- Physical Row Test: Candidates are required to complete a physical row test. Click here for more information on the proper row technique.
- Background investigation
- Polygraph exam
- Oral interview board
- Work fitness medical exam including a drug test
- Psychological exam
Applicants who do not pass the written examination and/or fail to complete the selection process will not be considered for appointment as a police officer for the duration of that current eligibility list. These applicants may reapply and retest for the next posted Civil Service examination.
Conditions of Employment
- Must be able to respond to a civil emergency within a 45-minute travel response time
- Must agree to take and pass an annual Physical Row Test
Compensation plan