Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• U.S. Citizen
• Age: Must be at least 21 years of age by date of commission and no more than 35 years of age by the date of hire (or no more than 45 years of age by the date of hire if applicant has either 5 years full-time, continuous qualified law enforcement experience, or has 5 years cumulative active military service)
• Has ability to meet physical requirements of the job
• Has graduated from high school or completed G.E.D. test
• Have 45 College Level Hours OR 30 college hours and 2 years prior military or law enforcement experience OR have either five (5) years full time, continuous law enforcement experience or five (5) years cumulative, active military service at hire date and have 30 college level hours
• Has the ability to fluently read, write, and speak the English language
• Visual acuity no worse than 20-200 in each eye uncorrected, corrected to 20-20 in each eye. Uncorrected acuity worse than 20-100 must be corrected with contact lenses. Normal color vision
• Excellent health and physical condition
• Possess a valid Texas operator's license without restrictions other than eyeglass restrictions (code A)
• Is not addicted to narcotics and does not indulge in excessive use of intoxicants
• Has not ever been convicted of a class A misdemeanor or ay felony at any time
• Is not under indictment for any criminal offense
• Has never executed at any time a confession to a felony offense, such confession being admissible as evidence against the person in any criminal proceeding in any state or federal court.
• Has not been convicted of family violence
• Has not been convicted or been on court-ordered community supervision for any class B misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years
• Has not been discharged from military service under less than honorable conditions

Applicants are given a battery of extensive tests. The tests will include a physical assessment, a video-based situational reasoning exercise, a medical exam, an oral interview, an extensive background investigation, a polygraph test, and a psychological examination. Applicants successfully completing all of the test requirements are placed on an eligibility roster for hire. An applicant's ranking on this eligibility roster is established by the score they received on the initial entrance level examination. Selected applicants may then become Abilene Police Cadets and enter the Abilene Police Academy.

Persons selected for appointment to the Abilene Police Academy undergo 22 weeks of intensive police training. The Abilene Police Academy expands the basic 560-hour peace officer course to include additional training and specialized courses for a total of more than 800 hours of instruction. Topics taught include Law, Interview and Interrogation, First Aid, Accident Investigation, Physical Training and Self-Defense, Public Relations, Sensitivity Training and Police Procedures.

The Abilene Police Academy is recognized statewide as a professional, progressive academy. Expert instructors from the Abilene Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, District Attorney's Office, United States Secret Service and other individuals and departments are used to provide the highest quality in law enforcement knowledge and techniques. Cadets must maintain a minimum average score of 70 on all academy work. The Academy is mentally and physically challenging, and gives the cadet the fundamentals for becoming a professional police officer.

When an Abilene Police Cadet successfully completes the training academy, he or she is now ready to begin the 14-week Field Training Officer Program. The police officer's job is not only one of importance in the community, but is one of sensitivity and action. The complex problems of today's society have made it necessary to have highly trained personnel to meet the needs and demands placed upon law enforcement services. The police officer must be a teacher, an arbitrator, an orator, a mediator, a parent, a friend, a social worker, a counselor, and an enforcer of the law. The Field Training Officer Program is the final step toward assessing the probationary officer's ability to perform the job. The task is not an easy one, and many cannot meet such a demanding responsibility. The Abilene Police Department works on the principles of Total Quality Management, and is looking for individuals who can think on their feet and are willing to face a problem and make decisions. Officers are expected to use their abilities along with the training afforded to them through the Academy to take charge of critical situations and be problem-solvers. For whatever reason a person decides to pin on the badge, one must be a dedicated, conscientious, concerned citizen who wants to serve the community through a career in law enforcement.

The patrol officer is the first line officer, the backbone of the entire department. The community's image of a police officer is often formed through the actions of the patrol officer. Usually the first to arrive at the scene, the patrol officer must be mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared to respond to any situation. The safety and welfare of thousands of people who reside in Abilene are often in the hands of patrol officers. All of the special skills and knowledge obtained during the training academy are implemented in the prevention and suppression of crime in the community.

Men and women of integrity, initiative and talent have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally with the Abilene Police Department. All new officers begin their career in the Patrol Division. However, there are opportunities for specialized work in traffic, youth, vice and narcotics, community services, and criminal investigation. Whatever the position filled, an officer should find a great deal of personal satisfaction through the services provided to the citizens of Abilene.

Patrol Officers may be promoted to a higher rank in the department by a competitive job-related examination and a skills assessment center. Civil Service examinations are offered as the need for supervisory personnel arises. Officers are eligible to compete in this process after serving a specified period of time in his or her present grade.

General Benefit Information

• Pay periods
• Every two weeks (click HERE for pay schedule)
• Retirement
• The Abilene Police Department uses the Texas Municipal Retirement System. The City matches employee contributions of 7% two-to-one
• Work Schedule
• 40 hours per week (four 10-hour work days, three days off)
• Sick Leave
• Paid accumulation of up to 90 days; 15 sick days per year
• Vacation
• 15 vacation days per year plus nine paid holidays
• Insurance
• Health/Family plan available at reasonable rates
• Deferred compensation plan available
• Personal accident insurance available
• Life/Paid insurance for employees
• Dental and vision plan available

Monthly Incentive Pay (eligible after sworn in)

• Approved Associates Degree ($50)
• Approved Four Year Degree ($100)
• Intermediate Certification ($60)
• Advanced Certification ($120)
• Master Certification ($200)
• Bi-Lingual Pay ($50)
• Longevity: $4 per year of service after one year (up to $100/month)
• Overtime: Time-and-a-half for all overtime in the line of duty