FAQs on Career Opportunities

Q: How long will it take to process my application?
The length of time to process an application varies from several weeks to several months. Please note: the police department cannot process someone’s application further until it is forwarded and received from the Office of Human Resources.

Q: Do I have to be a US citizen to work for the department?
Yes. Where applicable as defined by TCLEOSE, an applicant must be a US citizen. For other positions, to legally work in the US, an applicant must also provide the appropriate documentation to Human Resources and/or police department personnel who will check and verify an applicant’s status and information.

Q: Is there a probationary period for new officers?
Probation is six months in length for all department personnel.

Q: How long is the UT System Police Academy and where is it located?
The basic law enforcement training academy is 21 intensive weeks of training. It is located in Austin.

Q: While attending the academy, are there any related expenses?
The department issues most of the uniforms, equipment, and classroom supplies. The cadet is required to purchase some training-related clothing such as sweat pants, shirts, T-shirts, shorts, and running shoes as specified by the academy. Cadets may also be required, depending on housing availability, to bring bedding, laundry supplies, and personal grooming/hygiene-related supplies. Where permitted by applicable policies or procedures, the cadet receives a per diem for certain expenses.

Q: Does the department provide any additional compensation benefits?
Yes, we do:

Certification Pay: Intermediate certification - $50 per month, Advanced certification - $75 per month, Master Certification - $100 per month.
Free Uniform Cleaning
Hazardous Duty Pay - $7 for each year of service per month.
Example: An officer has five years of service they would get $7 x 5 years = $35 per month.

Q: I already have a TCLEOSE peace officer license and am interested in becoming a UT police officer, does the department hire TCLEOSE licensed Police Officers?

A: The University of Texas System typically does NOT hire Police Officers (Lateral Police Officers) who possess an active TCLEOSE license. ONLY under certain circumstances, as mandated by applicable UT System policy, rules or regulations, will a component police department (UT Southwestern Medical Center Police) be authorized by the UT System Director of Police to hire Police Officers candidates.

Otherwise, under normal circumstances, if someone wishes to become a police officer with the UT System Police, (regardless if the person already has their TCLEOSE peace officer license), they MUST successfully complete the Police Cadet position hiring process, attend the UT System Police Academy in Austin, TX and complete the department’s field training program.

Q: What is the basic hiring process for the Lateral Police Officer position?

A: The basic application process is usually (but NOT necessarily in this order) as follows in summary form:

Make initial application and successfully process with the UT Southwestern Office of Human Resources. Applicant’s information MUST be forwarded from Human Resources to the department BEFORE processing further!
Initial interview and contact with background investigator personnel. The applicant’s qualifications are reviewed and verified that they appear to meet the position qualifications.
Applicant is given several documents to complete which includes but is not limited to: personal history statement, pre-polygraph questionnaire, Physician’s Statement of Release, required documents list that must be submitted to the department, etc.
Physical agility test date set up. Applicant MUST present a completed Physician Statement of Release before they will be allowed to perform the physical agility test.
Review of submitted required documents.
Completion of other required documents at the station.
Physical agility test administered. Successfully completing the physical agility test is required to process further!
Background checking process
Psychological testing and interview.
Polygraph test.
Physical examination.
Oral interview board.
Any other applicable testing, processing or requirements deemed by the department as necessary.

If the applicant successfully completes each phase of the process, the Chief makes a recommendation to HR personnel to extend the applicant an offer of employment.

Q: What is the basic hiring process for the Police Cadet position?

A: The basic application process is usually (but NOT necessarily in this order) as follows in summary form:

Make initial application and successfully process with the UT Southwestern Office of Human Resources. Applicant’s information MUST be forwarded from Human Resources to the department BEFORE processing further!
Initial interview and contact with background investigator personnel. The applicant’s qualifications are reviewed and verified that they appear to meet the position qualifications.
Register applicant for the police academy entrance exam.
Applicant successfully completes the written examination.
Physical agility test date is announced.
Applicant is given several documents to complete which includes but is not limited to: personal history statement, pre-polygraph questionnaire, Physician’s Statement of Release, required documents list that must be submitted to the department, etc.
Applicant MUST present a completed Physician Statement of Release before they will be allowed to perform the physical agility test.
Applicant is administered the physical agility test. Passing the physical agility test is required to process further!
Review of submitted required documents.
Completion of other required documents at the station.
Background checking process.
Psychological testing and interview.
Polygraph test.
Physical examination.
Oral interview board.
Any other applicable testing, processing or requirements deemed by the department as necessary

If the applicant successfully completes each phase of the process, the Chief makes a recommendation to HR personnel to extend the applicant an offer of employment.

Q: What is the basic hiring process for the Police Guard position?

A: The basic application process is usually (but NOT necessarily in this order) as follows in summary form:

Make initial application and successfully process with the UT Southwestern Office of Human Resources. Applicant’s information MUST be forwarded from Human Resources to the department BEFORE processing further!
Initial interview and contact with background investigator personnel. The applicant’s qualifications are reviewed and verified that they appear to meet the position qualifications.
Applicant is given several documents, such as the Personal History Statement, to complete & return within a specified period of time.
Applicant is required to submit several documents to the department such as, but not limited to: birth certificate, DD-214 (if prior military service), GED or high school diploma, college transcripts, marriage license, divorce decree or any other applicable documents.
Background checking process.
Oral interview board.
Any other applicable testing, processing or requirements deemed by the department as necessary.

If the applicant successfully completes each phase of the process, the Chief makes a recommendation to HR personnel to extend the applicant an offer of employment.