What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sheriff Deputy Cadet (Basic Peace Officer BPOC) position at Harris County Sheriff's Office?
SHERIFF DEPUTY CADET
(Basic Peace Officer Course)
As we strive to bring Law Enforcement practices to the 21st century, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is looking for those interested in starting a career in Law Enforcement. We are calling to men and women who want to be part of an agency that promotes effective crime reduction while building trust in their communities and safeguarding officers’ well-being.
The Basic Peace Officer Course is open to anyone not licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) as a Peace Officer. Cadets will be full-time employees with access to highly competitive Benefits that include a medical and dental health plan, a robust retirement plan, and other benefits that promote a balanced work-life environment. We offer wellness programs, such as Paternity and Maternity Leave, and Employee Assistant (EAP). In addition, employment with our agency qualifies for the Federal Student Loan Forgiveness program.
Accepted Cadets will be full-time employees while attending the HCSO Academy. Upon graduation, you will be sworn Probationary Patrol Deputy(PPD) and will be assigned to the Patrol Bureau for a minimum of a two-year commitment.
This position is open to everyone who meets the minimum requirements, including Texas Commission On Law Enforcement (TCOLE) licensing standards.
How do I sign-up?
General
Step 1
Step 3
Note
Per SB 252, you may be eligible for TCOLE licensure if you have fulfilled all of the following requirements:
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
(Basic Peace Officer Course)
As we strive to bring Law Enforcement practices to the 21st century, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is looking for those interested in starting a career in Law Enforcement. We are calling to men and women who want to be part of an agency that promotes effective crime reduction while building trust in their communities and safeguarding officers’ well-being.
The Basic Peace Officer Course is open to anyone not licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) as a Peace Officer. Cadets will be full-time employees with access to highly competitive Benefits that include a medical and dental health plan, a robust retirement plan, and other benefits that promote a balanced work-life environment. We offer wellness programs, such as Paternity and Maternity Leave, and Employee Assistant (EAP). In addition, employment with our agency qualifies for the Federal Student Loan Forgiveness program.
Accepted Cadets will be full-time employees while attending the HCSO Academy. Upon graduation, you will be sworn Probationary Patrol Deputy(PPD) and will be assigned to the Patrol Bureau for a minimum of a two-year commitment.
This position is open to everyone who meets the minimum requirements, including Texas Commission On Law Enforcement (TCOLE) licensing standards.
How do I sign-up?
- You must read this announcement completely to ensure you meet all requirements and understand every step of the application process
- An incomplete application will not be considered.
- You can reach out to Zackarie.Henry@Sheriff.hctx.net if you have any questions
- All candidates will be scored, and a final selection will be made based on the best-qualified candidates
- Scoring criteria include but are not limited to formal education, work or military experience, test scores, etc.
- Candidates not selected for the 1st available scheduled course will remain active for future courses for one year and will have the opportunity to re-test to obtain a higher score
- If applicants fail at any step of the application process, they will be disqualified from continuing the process and have a one-year (12-month) waiting period to reapply
- Failure to complete the classroom or field training program due to performance or voluntary withdrawal will result in termination if hired
- The Executive Command may consider extending the opportunity for continued employment for those who fail, based on the agency’s needs and available positions in other job classifications
General
- Must meet Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) background requirements
- Must be a U.S. Citizen (See General Information for exceptions)
- Must be at least twenty years and six months (20.5) years of age by the application date
- Valid Texas Driver's License
- Liability insurance will be required by your graduation date
- Eyesight must be correctable to 20/20, normal color, and peripheral vision
- Correctable normal audible range in both ears
- Must pass all phases of the application process
- A minimum of 48 college credit hours with at least a 2.0 GPA from an accredited institution; OR
- High School Diploma or G.E.D. and a minimum of 18 months of military service in the United States Armed Forces with an Honorable Discharge OR
- If military experience is only in the Reserves or National Guard, the applicant must have accumulated 730 retirement points or have six (6) years of service
- High School Diploma or G.E.D. with 3 years of steady (consistent) work history
- If military experience is only with the Reserves or National Guard, the applicant must have accumulated 730 retirement points or have six (6) years of service
Step 1
- Submit a complete job application. The job application must document education, experience, and veteran status. An incomplete application will not be considered.
- Qualified applicants 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.
- Must successfully pass the HCSO entry exam with a minimum score of 145 points. (Combination test of Police Officer Selection Test (POST) and Biodata)
Step 3
- All tested candidates will be scored, and a final selection will be based on the best-qualified candidates
- External Candidates:
- 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
- Internal Candidates (current employees):
- Current employees do not require a new background investigation
- Review of performance, attendance, and status of pending Internal Affairs Investigation may be considered
- HCSO personnel will conduct interviews for the best-qualified candidates to determine the best fit for the Cadet position, based on the agency's needs
- 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.
- Candidates will be selected based on overall pre-employment scores and the agency's needs as determined by the Sheriff
- Selected candidates will be contacted at least two weeks before the start of BPOC to complete the onboarding or transfer process
- Bachelor's Degree or higher formal education
- Military Experience
Note
- All areas of the application must be complete including education and employment
- Texas Commission On Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Background requirements:
- Must not have court-ordered community supervision or probation for a criminal offense above the grade of class "B" misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years from the court order
- Must not be currently charged with any criminal offense for which conviction would be a bar to licensure
- Must not have been convicted of a class "B' misdemeanor or higher offense in the last ten years
- Never been convicted or placed on community supervision in any court for an offense involving family violence
- Not prohibited from operating a motor vehicle
- Not prohibited from possessing a firearm
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 DD-214 that reflects service time and discharge status)
- Must provide evidence that they have applied for United States Citizenship
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.