Entry Level Deputy

The Entry Level Deputy position is open to all external candidates who are currently enrolled and active in a Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) program at a licensed outside academy, have an active Texas Peace Officer License in good standing, or are eligible for commissioning upon completion of BPOC.

Note

• It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure all their TCOLE Training Mandates are up to date and ready to be commissioned
  
  

Candidates who meet all requirements and successfully complete all steps of the pre-employment process will be placed on an eligible list. Selections for any upcoming classes will be based on current eligible lists and conducted by the chain of command.

New Requirements

• Must be currently enrolled and active in a Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) program at a licensed outside academy
• Must hold an active Texas Peace Officer License in good standing or be eligible for commissioning upon completion of BPOC
• Valid Texas Driver’s License and auto liability insurance
• Must successfully complete pre-employment PAT and firearm testing
• Must successfully complete an entire law enforcement background investigation
• Must pass Physical and Psychological evaluation as required per TCOLE
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen
• Eyesight must be correctable to 20/20 vision, standard color, and peripheral vision, correctable normal audible range in both ears
• Employment is contingent on successfully passing the Entry Level Deputy training
• Training will include firearms proficiency evaluation and diagnostic, but additional training will be offered if required
  
  

Candidates who previously applied for the Entry Level Deputy position and failed the psychological evaluation must wait 1 year from the evaluation date to reapply.

Application Process

Step 1

Submit a complete job application. The job application must thoroughly document education, experience, and veteran status. An incomplete application will not be considered.

Step 2

Qualified applicants who submit applications will be contacted to schedule testing:

• Candidates must complete a physical agility test that consists of a mile run in 11:30 minutes or less, 10 sit-ups in a minute, and 5 push-ups in a minute
• Firearm qualification.
  
  

Step 3

TCOLE requires that all Peace Officer candidates undergo a thorough background investigation, which may include a polygraph examination

Selected candidates will receive instructions to complete the online Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) and upload the required documents

The assigned Investigator will contact candidates for an interview

Candidates who do not complete this phase promptly may be removed from the pre-selection list.

Step 4

Based on the number of available positions, candidates will be sent for Physical and Psychological evaluations per TCOLE (Texas Commission of Law Enforcement) licensing requirements.

Step 5

Selected candidates will be contacted at least two weeks before the Academy start date.Bachelor's Degree or higher formal education

Military ExperienceTO APPLY

COPIES OF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED WITH YOUR APPLICATION:

• Social Security Card
• Driver's License (front and back)
• Proof of Education: High School Diploma or Transcript, GED Certificate, or College Transcript (If transcripts, a sealed original will be required at the background investigation stage)
• DD-214 Military Discharge form [if applicable] (copy of original Member -4 Form)
• TCOLE Peace Officer license
  
  

Documents must be uploaded (attached) to the application before submitting.

Original documents will be required at the background investigation interview, along with three (3) letters of recommendation (must have a recent date, original signature, and undersigned Phone number).

• The Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) provides its employees the ability to obtain the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Peace Officer Certification advancements at no cost through the HCSO Academy."
  
  

Citizenship Exceptions

Per SB 252, you may be eligible for TCOLE licensure if you have fulfilled all of the following requirements:

• Must be a permanent legal resident
• Must be an honorably discharged veteran from the United States armed forces with at least two years of active service (Must have a DD-214 that reflects service time and discharge status)
• Must provide evidence that they have applied for United States Citizenship