JOB OPENINGS

Disqualifiers for Police Officer and Cadet

All applications are screened to determine if the applicant meets the minimum requirements and qualify for further consideration.

Any of the following will disqualify an applicant from further consideration at any stage of the process:

1. Conviction of, indictment for or a current charge for any felony offense – including cases disposed of through deferred adjudication or a probated sentence.
2. Conviction of a Class A misdemeanor – including cases disposed of through deferred adjudication.
3. Conviction of a Class B misdemeanor – including those disposed of through deferred adjudication within the past ten (10) years.
4. Conviction for driving under the influence (DWI, DUI, BWI, FWI) within fifteen (15) years preceding the date of the entrance exam.
5. Currently being on probation for any offense.
6. Using or possessing any of the following controlled substances after reaching the age of twenty-one years (21) will be grounds for permanent disqualification from the Round Rock Police Department application process.
   • Narcotics from Penalty Group I, IA, II, IIA, III, IV
   • Prior to twenty-one years of age and within 10 years of the entrance examination, the usage of any of the Narcotics listed above will be grounds for removal from the application process.
   • Circumstances surrounding the usage of prescription drugs will be evaluated by the department on a case by case basis depending on the substance, the frequency of use, and how recent for final determination.
7. Within three (3) years preceding the entrance examination, having illegally used or possessed marijuana in any form.
8. Having illegally furnished any controlled substance or dangerous drug to another.
9. Having an excessive record for traffic convictions or negligent traffic collisions.
10. Not being of good moral character or being known to habitually associate with those of questionable moral character.
11. Having delinquent payments or of not meeting financial obligations or repeated occurrences of issuing checks without sufficient funds, without extenuating circumstances.
12. Having been discharged from the military service with other than an honorable discharge
13. Failing to cooperate fully with and keep all scheduled appointments with staff personnel involved in the selection process or failing to provide added personnel information as needed.
14. Making false statements of fact, being deceptive by statement or omission in the written application or by any means in any part of the selection process.
15. Failure to supply the needed documents and/or submit the application within the specified time limit.
16. Having been discharged from any commissioned or recruit position within a law enforcement agency for disciplinary reasons, resigning to avoid suspension or discharge or having resigned during a disciplinary investigation without a final judgment being rendered.
17. Without being specifically enumerated in the above disqualifiers, if circumstances exist which indicate the candidate is clearly unsuited for a position as a police officer with the Round Rock Police Department, the application will be rejected.
18. Failure to sign waiver to authorize release of personnel information from former employer(s) and others who possess information regarding the suitability of the candidate to serve the Department.

A candidate who is disqualified for any of the above-mentioned reasons will not be considered for a police officer position with the Department for a period of twelve (12) months from the examination date. If the status of an applicant’s disqualifier has changed during the time period, a written request explaining the change may be submitted to the Training Division for consideration.

Note Regarding Disqualifiers

Any applicant that is disqualified from any of the above-mentioned reasons will not be considered for a police officer position for a determinant period of time from the examination date. Explanations of disqualifications may be submitted in writing to the Training Division Commander.

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
  • At least three years of full-time basic jailer experience

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
  • three years Correctional Officer/licensed TCOLE Jailer experience.
• 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.

In such cases, officers will be hired as if they were a two-year officer and be treated as such in their salary progression. The determination regarding whether a candidate qualifies for lateral entry will be made during the Chief’s Review portion of the Selection Process.

Application Process for Police Officer and Cadet

Any candidate failing to successfully complete any portion of the hiring process may re-apply during the next hiring process. Each applicant is expected to complete the Personal History Statement prior to Step 1. This document is used to further establish the applicants’ qualifications, and will be sent to each applicant after the posting has closed on the City’s website.

Step 1 – Written Examination
A “Basic Entrance Examination” is given that tests the applicant’s ability in the following areas: Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Report Writing. Applicants must pass with a 70 percent or above.

Step 2 – Preliminary Oral Board
Upon passing the Entrance Examination, each applicant will be scheduled for a preliminary oral interview.

Step 3 – Hilson-R Background Inventory
Applicants will complete the “Hilson-R Background Inventory,” upon passing the Preliminary Oral Board. This is a scored questionnaire that will be administered at the Police Department. Applicants will not be disqualified from the process solely on the results of the “Hilson-R Background Inventory.”

Step 4 – Background Investigation
A thorough background investigation is conducted to establish evidence of good moral character, a well-adjusted personality and a pattern of conduct acceptable to the Round Rock Police Department.

Step 5 – Commander’s Review
Results of background investigation will be reviewed by Round Rock Police Commanders.

Step 6 – Final Oral Board 
Applicants who successfully complete the background investigation appear before a five person interview panel.

Step 7 – Chiefs’ Interview
Upon passing the Final Oral Board, applicants will interview with an Assistant Chief and Chief of Police.

Step 8 – Conditional Job Offers
Selected applicants are given a conditional offer of employment contingent upon passing the following:

• Physical Ability Test – This pass/fail test is the same for all applicants, without regard to age or gender. This video provides an overview of the physical ability course.
• Medical Exam/Drug Screen – This is a standard physical examination.
• Psychological Examination – This consists of a standard written psychological test and interview with a psychologist.
• Firearms Proficiency – For Certified Police Officer candidates.

For more information or questions regarding the hiring process, contact the Training Division.