Police Cadet Requirements
- Be a United States Citizen at the time of application.
- Be at least 20 years and 6 months of age by the date of the entrance examination.
- Have a valid Texas Driver’s License; or be able to obtain a Texas Driver’s License within 30-days of employment.
- A high school diploma or GED certificate, and one of the following:
- At least 30 college credit hours from an accredited college or university, or
- Two years active-duty time in the U.S. Armed Forces, or
- Two years of full-time basic jailer experience, or
- Two years of full-time employment as a non-sworn member of the Round Rock Police
Department
Police Officer Requirements
- Must be at least 20 years and 6 months at time of written examination.
- Must be a United States Citizen at the time of application.
- High School Diploma or G.E.D.
- Minimum of 30 college credit hours from an accredited university or
- two years full time law enforcement experience or
- two years active-duty time in the U.S. Armed Forces or
- two years Correctional Officer/licensed TCOLE Jailer experience or
- completed a state-approved Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) and passed the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) licensing exam is required.
- Must have a valid Texas Driver’s License; or be able to obtain a Texas Driver’s License within 30-days of employment.
- Out of state Peace Officers click here
Lateral Entry Requirements
- Consideration of previous law enforcement experience upon initial entry into the Department as a commissioned peace officer may occur. This form of lateral entry occurs in cases where an employee is entering the Department as a police officer with:
- At least four years of continuous, full-time law enforcement experience as defined in this procedure.
- No more than a 180-day break in service prior to their hiring date with the Department.
- For the purposes of this procedure, a commissioned peace officer whose primary job assignment was in a capacity encompassing the majority of the following:
- Patrolling in a radio-equipped car; answering calls for the protection of life and property and the enforcement of city, county or state laws; and conducting preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, death, and other crimes.
- Responding to calls related to traffic incidents and other required emergencies; observing, monitoring, and controlling routine and unusual traffic conditions; assisting and advising motorists; and enforcing traffic safety laws.
- Collecting and preserving evidence at crime or accident scenes; making arrests as necessary; interviewing victims and witnesses; interrogating suspects; searching and transporting prisoners; and testifying in court.
- Filing complaints and performing other work related to the processing misdemeanor and felony complaints; preparing reports of arrests and activities performed.
Additional TCOLE Requirements for out-of-state applicants:
TCOLE currently requires the following courses before licensure for most out-of-state applicants:
TCOLE #1018 – Texas Supplemental Police Officer Course
TCOLE #1850 – CIT
TCOLE #4065 – Canine Encounters
TCOLE #7887 – Interacting with the deaf or hard of hearing
TCOLE #3270 – Human Trafficking
TCOLE #1849 – De-Escalation Techniques
TCOLE #3311 – ALERRT Level 1
TCOLE 30418 – Civilian Interaction Training
If a qualified out-of-state applicant is hired, the Round Rock Police Department academy staff will conduct these classes. There is no need to complete them prior to employment. If you have questions regarding these classes or the out-of-state licensing process, please get in touch with the recruiting email or phone number.
For Lateral Officers that qualify and based on their years of experience, they can start at these pay steps:
4 – 5 Years of experience: Step 2
6 – 7 Years of experience: Step 4
8+ Years of Experience: Step 6
The determination regarding whether a candidate qualifies for lateral entry will be made during the Chief’s Review portion of the Selection Process.