Information About the Position of METRO Police Officer

Thank you for your interest in employment with METRO's Police Department. We are now accepting applications for licensed Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) officers (apply online). We are currently not accepting police cadet applications. Please check back with us again.

Responsibilities and Duties

METRO Police Officers:

• Protect METRO employees, property, and patrons from criminal offenses
• Apprehend persons committing offenses against the Authority
• Deter transit-related crimes through increased visibility and mobility
• Enforce federal and state statutes, and county and municipal ordinances within the METRO service area.

Minimum Requirements

The minimum requirements to become a METRO Police Officer are as follows:

Licensed Positions:

• Valid TCLEOSE License*
• Valid Texas Driver's License
• High School Diploma or GED with 12 semester hours from a TCLEOSE-approved accredited college or university
• Minimum age of 21
• No felony or Class A misdemeanor convictions. No Class B misdemeanor convictions within ten (10) years of date of application. No convictions of any family violence offense
• United States resident
• Successfully undertake medical, psychological, polygraph examinations and Police Officer Selection Test (POST).

* Persons who are peace officers, federal agents or officers outside the state of Texas, and those who hold military police waivers from outside the state of Texas may become licensed Texas peace officers by completing successfully the Texas Supplemental Peace Officer Course and by meeting the following criteria:

• Have graduated from a state POST- (or state licensing authority)-approved basic police officer training academy
• License must never have been or currently be in the process of being surrendered, suspended or revoked
• Have honorably served as a sworn peace officer for 12 consecutive months with an agency in the state where the license or certificate was issued
• Curriculum of the Supplemental Peace Officer Course must be developed by TCLEOSE

Cadet Police Officer Positions (applications not currently being accepted):

• High school diploma or high school equivalency certificate with a minimum of 60 hours from a TCLEOSE-approved accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.5 OR a minimum of two years of active military service with an Honorable Discharge and a DD-214.
• Minimum age of 21
• United States resident
• No felony or Class A misdemeanor convictions. No Class B misdemeanor convictions within ten (10) years of date of application. No convictions of any family violence offense.
• Valid Texas Driver's License
• Successfully undertake medical, psychological, polygraph examinations and Police Officer Selection Test (POST).
• Meet all criteria set forth in TCLEOSE rule 217.1, Minimum Standards for Initial Licensure, and Texas Occupational Code Section 1701.255, Enrollment Standards and Training Credit.

The Selection Process

The time necessary to process applications for METRO Police Officer positions is typically three to four months. Factors affecting processing time include the number of applicants, date application was submitted, and the completion of each of the following selection procedures:

• Phase 1-Preliminary Application Review
• Phase 2- Police Officer Selection Test
• Phase 3-Preliminary Interview and Formal Application Submission

Should an applicant become disqualified during any one of the aforementioned phases, the applicant may reapply after the selection criteria are met under the disqualifying category(ies) which include: age, educational requirement, citizenship and residency, drivers license and driving history, military history, physical and mental health, contradictory information, credit and financial responsibility, criminal behavior, narcotics and alcohol usage, references, and affiliations or sympathy with certain organizations.

Officers are eligible to receive annual merit increases based upon their performance evaluations. Also available is supplemental, annual TCLEOSE certification pay (amount not included above):

Career Opportunities include:

• Court Liaison
• Hot Spots Unit
• Proactive Patrol
• Crime Suppression Unit
• Motorcycles
• Firearms Instructor
• Criminal Investigations
• Special Operations Response Team
• Traffic Management
• Serious Collision Assessment Team
• Training Officer
• Recruiting & Background Investigations Unit
• Watch Command Officer
• K9 Handler (Explosives; Narcotics; Patrol)

Benefits

Health Insurance - On the date you are hired, you become eligible for coverage under one of METRO's major medical insurance programs. METRO offers insurance packages that provide coverage for hospital room and medical expenses, outpatient care and maternity care. The packages offer different supplemental dental and vision plans as well as coverage for dependents.

Life Insurance - Once you complete 30 days of continuous employment, you are enrolled in METRO's group life insurance program. You can also choose a voluntary, supplemental program for yourself and your family. • Group Life Insurance Basic Coverage — paid entirely by METRO for twice your annual salary. • Voluntary Term Life — individually age rated; completely paid by the employee for $10,000 toward the employee/spouse minimum and $2,500 for eligible children.

Vacation - Vacation is accrued as follows:

• 1 to 5 Years — 2 Weeks Annually
• 5+ to 8 Years — 3 Weeks Annually
• 8+ to 15 Years — 4 Weeks Annually
• 15+ Years — 5 Weeks Annually

Employee Days - Employees receive three Employee Days annually that they may use any time during the year upon supervisory approval.

Work Out Facilities - Employees are provided with a workout facility equipped with strength and cardiovascular training equipment. Lockers and showers are also available.

Quiet Room - A quiet room is provided for employees who want a place to relax and watch television during off-duty hours.

Sick Leave - Sick leave is awarded at the rate of 80 hours annually.

Incentive Option - Employees who have completed 90 days of employment are eligible to accumulate credit towards Well Time incentive hours. Accrual periods are based on calendar quarters. To receive 8 hours of Well Time (one Well Day), no sick leave time off (paid or unpaid) may be taken in a calendar quarter. Maximum Well Day accrual is one per quarter / four per year.

Short Term Disability - Upon the completion of six consecutive months of employment, under a physician's order, and approval by the Benefits Office of the Human Resources Department, an employee is eligible for disability pay under the following schedule:

• 1st - 90th Day — 100% of Base Pay
• 91st - 180th Day — 75% of Base Pay

Educational Reimbursement - All regular, full-time METRO employees are eligible to receive educational reimbursements for work-related courses from accredited colleges or universities. Upon approval, employees may annually receive up to $1,500 of educational reimbursement. Upon satisfactory completion of any pre-approved courses, reimbursement is made as follows:

• A - 100%
• B - 90%
• C - 80%

Uniforms & Equipment - Uniforms and equipment are provided to officers at no cost. Personal choice duty weapons, other than Department issue, may be purchased at the officers' expense.

Retirement - METRO offers a non-contributory retirement program, whereby METRO contributes 100%. Full-time officers are fully vested after five years of service. Deferred Compensation - An optional deferred compensation plan is also available.

The METRO Police Department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence within law enforcement.

For further information, please contact the Department's Recruiting & Background Investigations Unit. Phone: 713-615-6477 or -6483 Fax: 713-758-7807 or -7823. Email: PoliceRecruiting@ridemetro.org