Police Civil Service Entrance Exam

The following are required for exam eligibility:

1. No Police Pre-Certification is required to take this exam.  Must meet all legal requirements necessary to become eligible for future licensing by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. 
2. Must possess a current valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
3. Must be at least 21 years of age and meet all eligibility requirements of Texas Local Government Code, Section 143.023 of the Texas Fire and Police Civil Service Law and Lancaster Local Rules.
4. High School Diploma; OR G.E.D. Certificate with 12 college credit hours (with a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale; OR 24 months active duty in U.S. military (with proof of honorable discharge - DD214 - Member 4 copy).
5. Must meet all physical requirements.
6. Must be U.S. Citizen.

The Police Officers Examination will be administered at 9 A.M.

****Note: The Physical Agility Test will be administered immediately after the Entrance Exam for those who pass the Language Skills Exam. Bring proper clothing and shoes to participate in the physical activity. (All questions pertaining to the Physical Agility Test should be referred to Lieutenant Joseph Brickett at 972-218-2718.)

The Entrance Exam will be administered at the Lancaster Recreation Center; 1700 Veterans Memorial Pkwy; Lancaster, Texas 75134.

• Proper Identification will be required in order to be admitted to the Examination.
• The Entrance Examination will consist of language skills. Study guides will be provided to applicants from the Human Resources Department after receipt of a complete online application.
• A ranked eligibility list will be maintained for one year unless the list is exhausted.
• All applications and required documents should be submitted online at www.lancaster-tx.com-Employment Opportunities by the deadline of 4 P.M. on Thursday, August 15, 2026  in order to be included for the Examination.

Salary Non-certified officer appointments start at $52,497.12 annually. Upon completion of the academy the pay will be $78,473.55. Certified officer appointments start at $78,473.55. Top pay (after seven years) is $97,769.94 annually. Newly hired applicants may be given prior credit for up to six years of verifiable, full-time service as a peace officer and started as high as Step 6 with an annual salary of $94,467.29. Longevity and overtime pay are provided according to Civil Service law found in Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code. The Lancaster Police Department pays additional incentives for Intermediate, Advanced and Master Peace Officer certificates from TCOLE.
A $2,500.00 hiring incentive, paid half at hire and half upon successful completion of the field training program, is provided to applicants who are certified by TCOLE.

To be eligible to take the Police Civil Service Entrance Examination, applicants must complete the online application and upload all required documents before the posting deadline.

Required documents include:

1. Copy of high school diploma or high school transcript
2. Copy of current valid driver’s license
3. DD214 Member 4 copy, if requesting military credit
4. TCOLE certification, if applicable

Applications submitted without the required documentation, or with incorrect/incomplete documentation, may be considered incomplete and may result in the applicant being ineligible to take the examination.

Once the application has been processed and eligibility has been verified, applicants will receive a test number and study guide from Human Resources. The test number will serve as the applicant’s ticket for the examination and must be provided at check-in on the day of the exam. Proper identification will also be required to be admitted to the examination.

Required Attachment 1: High School Diploma or High School Transcript
Required Attachment 2: Driver’s License
Optional Attachment: DD214 Member 4 Copy, if applicable
Optional Attachment: TCOLE Certification, if applicable

Salary : $52,497 - $70,391