Police Officer

$10,000 Hiring Incentive for Certified, Experienced Police Officers

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision of Police Sergeant, the Police Officer enforces Federal, State, and City laws, rules, regulations, ordinances and codes, by performing various law enforcement tasks that support law enforcement and crime prevention activities. Performs investigative work and other special assignments; performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the department. Maintains high visibility in the community to deter and prevent criminal activity, and educates the public in ways to protect themselves from criminal activity. 

The City of Belton is a Civil Service City, which is governed by Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code. The position of Police Officer is a Civil Service position and will be filled following the hiring guidelines of this governing body. See the following link for more detailed information regarding the hiring process:   http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.143.htm#143.023.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, License, Certification, Training and Experience Guidelines:

• Must be certified, or meet the requirements to attend the necessary training to be certified, by the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement Standard and Education (TCOLE).
• Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of TCOLE certification, per Sec. 143.023 of the Local Government Code. 
• High School diploma or equivalent is required.
• Possess, or be able to obtain, a valid Texas State Class C Driver’s License with a good driving record. 
• Must pass written and physiological testing, as well as a pre-employment drug screening test. 
• Selected candidate must pass a physical assessment after successfully passing the written exam. 
• Must be able to competently read and write the English language.
• Must submit a DD-214 to verify an honorable discharge from the military, if applicable.

Note: You do not have to be licensed/certified by TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) to apply.  Non-certified applicants will be required to attend a regional police academy at the City’s expense and be paid while attending.    

Applicants must pass a written Civil Service exam to be administered on:

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Registration opens at 8:00 am

Testing Begins at 9:00 am. 

Harris Community Center

401 N. Alexander St, Belton, TX, 76513

Application Deadline: 5:00 p.m., Thursday, February 6, 2025 

(Walk-up may be able to test, but not promised if tests are not available) 

For the Online POST Practice Test and Study Guide, click on this link - https://www.applytoserve.com/Study/

This is not a requirement, as these are only resources in helping applicants prepare for testing.

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POLICE OFFICER DISQUALIFICATIONS

Note: Conviction or Convicted - A person is convicted if he/she has pled guilty, no contest (nolo contendere), or been found guilty in a trial, regardless of whether:

• The sentence is subsequently probated and the person is discharged from probation;
• The defendant has received an un-adjudicated or deferred adjudicated probation, pre-trail diversion or similar deferred disposition, for a criminal offense; 
• The case has been made the subject of an expunction order; or 
• The person is pardoned, unless the pardon is expressly granted for subsequent proof of innocence.

(1). Failure to meet the minimum requirements for the position applied. 

(2). Conviction of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years. 

(3). Have been or currently on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years from the date of the court order. Currently under indictment for any criminal offense. 

(4). Convicted, received deferred judgement, placed on court ordered probation or community supervision for any felony offense. 

(5). Convicted of and/or received a deferred judgement for any family violence offense. 

(6). Prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle. 

(7). Prohibited by the state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

(8). Have been discharged from any military service under less than honorable conditions including specifically, 

1. under other than honorable conditions;
2. bad conduct;
3. dishonorable; or
4. any other characterization of service indicating bad character. 

(9). Texas Commission on Law Enforcement license denied by final order or revoked, currently on suspension, or have a voluntary surrender of license currently in effect. 

(10). History of delinquent payments, not meeting financial obligations, or repeated occurrences of issuing checks without sufficient funds, without extenuating circumstances. 

(11). Discharged from any commissioned or recruit position within a law enforcement agency for disciplinary reasons. Resigned to avoid suspension or discharge, or having resigned during a disciplinary investigation without a final judgement being rendered. 

(12). Failure to cooperate fully with and keep all scheduled appointments with staff personnel involved in the selection process. Failure to provide added personal information as needed, or failing to submit information update/changes within ten days of the change. 

(13). Illegible application or gaps in employment. Failure to follow directions on application or dishonesty or deception at any time during the application process. 

(14). Not being of good moral character or being known to habitually associate with those of questionable moral character. 

(15). Not current on child support payments. 

(16). History of sustained Internal Affairs complaints or behavior that indicates negative job performance. 

(17). Driver's license suspension within the past five (5) years (suspensions older than 5 years will be reviewed on a case by case basis); however, this does not include suspensions resulting from MIP violations. 

(18). Applicants may be temporarily or permanently disqualified, if it has been determined by the city, they have admitted to conduct which constitutes excessive use of intoxicants. Usage shall be considered on a case-by-case basis with consideration given to circumstances and recency. 

(19). Must not have any defects or any physical conditions that would interfere with the duties and performance of a Police Officer. This includes visible tattoos, visible piercings (other than ears) or tooth jewelry. 

(20). Must not use any drugs or narcotics. Any prior use of a Schedule I controlled substance, including but not limited to heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, opium, and methamphetamine is an automatic disqualifier. 

(21). Must not drink alcohol excessively. 

(22). Must be tobacco free at the time of employment. 

(23). Must not have an excessive record of traffic convictions or negligent traffic collisions. This is defined as having three (3) convictions for moving or non-moving violations, or a combination thereof, within the two (2) year period prior to the date of this application, or during the hiring process. (Example: An applicant having two (2) convictions prior to the date of this application would be disqualified if convicted for a third traffic violation during the application process.) Payment, defensive driving, and deferred adjudication are all forms of convictions. 

(24). Any applicant who has been rejected by the Belton Police Department two (2) times is permanently disqualified from employment as a licensed peace officer with this agency. 

(25). Failure to pass any portion of the hiring process, including the Command Staff Oral Board Interview. 

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Application Selection Procedure

The testing procedure for applicants with the Belton Police Department consists of seven parts which are explained in  more detail below. Each part or test must be passed to move on in the process. Applicants who pass all seven areas of the process, based on availability of open positions, will be offered employment as either a Cadet or if certified already, as a probationary Police Officer. 

The probationary period is a non-civil service position and lasts one (1) year from date of hire or in the case of a Cadet, one year from the date of graduation from the Police Academy. Applicants hired as Police Cadets will be sent to a regional TCOLE approved Police Academy. The cost of the 20-week police academy is paid by the City, and the Cadet is paid a salary while attending the academy. 

(1) Written Examination: The Civil Service written exam assesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities, and personal characteristics necessary for success in law enforcement. No prior police training or experience is assumed of candidates for taking this entry level exam. Applicants must pass the exam with a grade of 70 or higher in order to pass the overall test. We will use the National Police Officer Selection Test (POST) for the Civil Service Written Exam. A study guide is not necessary; however, if the candidate wishes to purchase a study guide, this can be done through the following website. https://www.applytoserve.com/Study/

(2) Physical Fitness Requirements: All Police applicants are required to pass the Department's physical readiness test in order to continue in the application process. The minimum standard for all applicants and new recruits is passing the physical readiness test at the Department baseline percentile of 50% according to their age and gender. The physical readiness testing will be completed on the same day as the written exam. Ensure that you bring a change of clothes to complete this portion of the test. 

     Physical Readiness: The department's physical readiness test consists of rowing 2000 meters on a Concept 2 Rower. The Rower is the only tool to measure the VO2max from the horizontal plane outside of water, which is significant because we want to target exercise options that focus on low-impact and our efforts to further reduce injuries. VO2max is a measure of the body's capacity for aerobic work and, thus, can be a predictor of a person's potential for endurance. VO2max is a scientifically accepted measure of cardio respiratory fitness. Of course, there are other factors that come into play: the individual's training, genes, body weight, muscle volume, etc. DPS Row Calculator - https://www.dps.texas.gov/ETR/FitnessWellness/concept2RowerCalc.htm 

(3) Initial Supervisory Interview Board: Following a limited cursory background review, applicants will interview with an oral interview board made up of supervisory personnel with the Department. Those recommended by this board for further consideration will begin a thorough background investigation process. 

(4) Background Investigation: A thorough investigation into each applicant's background will be conducted by Belton Police Department personnel. 

(5) Command Staff Oral Board Interview: Each applicant who passes the above processes will be subject to an interview by a board comprised of Belton Police Department Command Staff Personnel and the Civil Service Director. If the board passes the applicant, the applicant will be offered a position, if the opening exists, as a probationary officer with the department contingent on the applicant passing the medical evaluations. 

(6) Conditional Offer of Employment

(7) Medical/Psychological Evaluation and Drug Screening: Each applicant passed by the Command Staff Oral Board must complete a medial and psychological exam, as well as submit to a drug screening. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Salary : $61,460 - $76,755