Police Officer (Out-of-State Lateral)

To be eligible for the lateral process, you must meet all the requirements. Check the TCOLE site to make sure you meet their requirements. DO NOT start the process with TCOLE or apply with us until you are sure you’re ready to move to Texas. You will need to complete the hiring process, move, and complete all the required courses once employed within 6 months.
Here’s the link to the Out of State Officers Eligibility Requirements: https://www.tcole.texas.gov/document/out-state-eligibility-packet_9-7-23.pdf

education and experience
Work requires broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Completed at least 30 college credits with a GPA of 2.0 or higher plus two (2) years of continuous service as a full-time law enforcement officer answering calls for service and possessing arrest powers from a Municipality, Sheriff’s Office, or Department of Public Safety. Additionally, you must have been assigned to patrol duties and successfully completed a field training program; OR
• High School diploma or equivalent plus three (3) years of continuous service as a full-time law enforcement officer from a Municipality, Sheriff’s Office or Department of Public Safety. Additionally, you must possess arrest powers, answer calls for service, and have completed a field training program (FTO).

*Credits that have been officially recognized and approved by the Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education will be accepted.
Certification and Other Requirements

• Must posses a current and valid Driver’s License and/or be able to obtain a Texas Driver’s License prior to employment.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Eligible for certification from TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) and meet the requirements for the Out of State Peace Officer process. Please note: Do not start this process; we ask you only meet the criteria.

THE ALLEN POLICE DEPARTMENT – HIRING PROCESS

Once an application has been received, you will be emailed directions on completing the Personal History Statement and Preliminary Interview packet. Those selected to continue will be contacted to schedule the testing and completing the hiring process. We try to limit your trips to Texas to two.

Out-of-State Lateral Requirements:

• Eligible for certification from TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) and meet the requirements for the Out of State Peace Officer process.

You must meet all the following requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must possess a current and valid Driver’s License.
• Two (2) years of continuous service as a full-time law enforcement officer answering calls for service and possessing arrest powers from a Municipality, Sheriff’s Office, or Department of Public Safety plus completion of at least 30 college credits with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Additionally, you must have been assigned to patrol duties and successfully completed a field training program, OR
• Three (3) years of continuous service as a full-time law enforcement officer answering calls for service and possessing arrest powers from a Municipality, Sheriff’s Office, or Department of Public Safety with a High School diploma or GED. Additionally, you must have been assigned full-time to patrol duties and successfully completed a field training program (FTO).

The Chief of Police or Designee will individually access your experience to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria. Passing all stages of the hiring process is mandatory. Testing is done by appointment. The Chief of Police retains the authority to mandate attendance at a police academy to those who are chosen.

Once your paperwork is submitted, you will be contacted to schedule a test date/time. On the test day, you MUST bring proper identification (State or Federal Government ID/DL) with you. You may wear your gym clothes to the test.
Each of the following steps must be successfully completed prior to your appointment as a Police Officer:
Entrance Examination
The entrance examination is a four-part examination, which consists of reading comprehension, basic arithmetic, spelling/grammar and writing skills. A score of 70 or higher in each section must be achieved in order to pass the examination and proceed in the process.
Study guides for the examination are available. The cost for the study guide is $20.00. The written exam covers mathematical reasoning, writing ability, situational judgment/human relations and reasoning/analyzing. You must score 70% or above to pass. http://www.fpsi.com/product/pact-orientation-guide/.
Physical Assessment
The physical assessment attempts to measure whether the applicant is fit for duty as a police officer. Applicants who pass the written exam will move forward to the fitness test, which consists of the following:

• 1.5 mile run within 15:26
• 300 meter run within 62 seconds
• 26 push-ups with no time limit
• 30 sit-ups within 60 seconds

You must pass each element of the fitness test to move forward to the next phase.
Background Investigation
An extensive check of criminal, driving, employment records, education, and credit references will be conducted as well as verification of character references.
Interview Board
The applicant will be interviewed in the areas of their general background, current and past employment, prior police experience, criminal history, traffic record and military service. The applicant is also given situational reasoning scenarios and evaluated on those responses. During this interview, the applicant is evaluated in the areas of professionalism, dependability, reaction to pressure and situational reasoning ability, along with interpersonal and oral communication.
Polygraph Examination
The department’s polygraph examiner is licensed by the state and conducts the examinations within the state guidelines. The results of the examinations will be regularly reviewed to ensure that polygraph procedures are fair, impartial and that all applicants are given adequate opportunity to resolve areas of deception through every reasonable means. The ultimate decision to employ remains with the Chief of Police.
Psychological Examination
The applicant is assessed for their psychological suitability for law enforcement work. The applicant is evaluated for hypersensitivity, impulsiveness, and frustration tolerance, as well as attributes such as achievement, flexibility, sensitivity, maturity, intelligence, somatic concerns, mood, social adjustment, anxiety, emotional control, dominance, moral-ethical behavior, impression formation and attitudes. An applicant must receive a rating of 4.0 or above to pass the psychological examination.
Physical Examination and Drug Screen
A police officer is responsible for preservation of the public peace, the protection of life, liberty, and property, the prevention of crime, the arrest and prosecution of violators of State Law and City Ordinances. The work environment includes vehicle patrol and in some instances foot patrol. Therefore, applicants are evaluated for their ability to perform the specific job requirements, specifically: lifting, running, bending, and walking. Hearing and eyesight are also tested.
Once an applicant has successfully passed each of the previous phases, they will then be scheduled for an interview with the Chief of Police or his designee.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR POLICE OFFICER

• Applicant must be at least 21 years of age;
• Applicant must be a citizen of the United States;
• Applicant must have at least 30 college credits with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and two (2) years of continuous service as a full-time law enforcement officer OR a High School diploma or equivalent plus three (3) years of of continuous service as a full-time law enforcement officer.
• Have been honorably discharged from any and all military service or provide proof of acceptable military re-enlistment eligibility if prior service is uncharacterized;
• Must have current and valid motor vehicle operator’s license;
• Not have been convicted of or received deferred adjudication for any offense of family violence; Not have been on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years from the date of the court order;
• Not have ever been convicted of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor
• Not have been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years
• Not have any criminal charges pending or under indictment for any criminal offense; Not be currently on court-ordered community service or probation for any criminal offense;
• Not have excessive traffic tickets or accidents;
• Not have had a license issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement revoked or suspended;
• Be of good moral character
• Must be able to work shift work, holidays and weekends
• Must have the ability to read and comprehend training materials, departmental policy, rules, regulations, laws and ordinances;
• Must have the ability to establish effective working relationship with other employees, law enforcement agencies and the public;
• Must have the ability to learn the use and care of firearms and specialized equipment;
• Must possess 20/20 vision, either corrected or uncorrected or uncorrected in each eye, unless vision is corrected by the use of contact lenses which must be worn on duty and/or during all law enforcement related activities. Must be free of dichromatic color blindness, night blindness and any other visual deficiencies or limitations.
• Must possess hearing that cannot exceed an average hearing loss of 25 decibels (ANSI) at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hertz; cannot exceed a single reading of 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, 3000 Hertz; cannot exceed a single reading of 35 decibels at 500 Hertz; and cannot exceed a single reading of 45 decibels at 4000 Hertz.

INELIGIBILITY AND DISQUALIFIERS LIST
Below is a list of occurrences that may disqualify the applicant either permanently or make the applicant ineligible for hire for a specified period of time. These causes for disqualification are in accordance with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. These causes include, but are not limited to those listed below:

• The sentence is subsequently probated and the person is discharged from probation or community supervision;
• Deferred adjudication is granted;
• The accusation, complaint, information, or indictment against the person is dismissed is released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense; or
• The person is pardoned for the offense unless the pardon is granted expressly for subsequent proof of innocence.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as needed.