FORT BENNING, Ga., (Aug. 31, 2016) -- The Houston Police Department visited the Soldier for Life Center Aug. 30 to brief about careers with the HPD after separation from the military.
Mark Slade, senior police officer and recruiter discussed the basic requirements for joining the HPD, as well as the benefits and salaries that come with the job.
"There is an article in the Houston Chronicle, our local newspaper about officers making more than the mayor," Slade said.
He explained that a cadet or a probation officer could make between $42,000 to $46,420 annually. A first year officer could make between $49,831 to $64,071. Second year officers could make between $58,441 to $72,681, and a third year officer could make between $61,779 to $76,019. A sergeant could make around $79,949 to $107,479. Captains make around $118,592 to $138,427.
"You must have an undergraduate degree for captain and above, and a master's for assistant chief," Slade said.
Slade explained that the HPD has over 50 specialized divisions including bomb squad, tactical unit, homicide, vice, missing persons, juvenile, internal affairs and hostage negotiation.
"After three years of patrol you are eligible to transfer to the other specialized divisions," Slade said.
Slade explained that an applicant must have at least 48 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university with at least a 2.0 grade point average, or a minimum of 18 months of active duty in the U.S. armed forces and have received an honorable discharge.
The application process takes approximately 90 days to complete, explained Slade. Applicants must be able to pass a reading comprehension test, physical agility test, polygraph exam, background investigation and a psychological and medical exam.
Slade explained that upon employment, individuals would attend the police academy and receive specialized training from instructors.
"It is not a live-in academy. You go from Monday to Friday for six months, that's your job. We pay you to go to the academy, you do not pay us," Slade said.
Additional requirements and the required documents needed for applying can be found on www.hpdcareer.com.
For more information on the application process, call 713-308-1300. To schedule an interview, visit http://www.hpdcareer.com/application_process.html.
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