Police Patrol Officer

Description

NOTICE OF POLICE CIVIL SERVICE TESTING

Application Period: April 1, 2026 – May 6, 2026

Civil Service Written Exam and Physical Ability Test: Saturday, May 16, 2026

Location: Howard Junior High – 265 Broadhead Rd, Waxahachie, Texas, 75165

Current Police Salary Schedule

Police

Hourly

Annual

Cadet

$36.240417

$75,380.07

Police Officer

Entry

$39.391758

$81,934.86

1 Year

$40.967428

$85,212.25

2 Year

$42.606124

$88,620.74

3 Year

$44.310369

$92,165.57

4 Year

$46.082782

$95,852.19

5 Year

$47.926092

$99,686.27

6 Year

$49.843135

$103,673.72

Civilians (Non-sworn) - Civilian applicants selected through the hiring process will join the City of Waxahachie as Police Cadets while attending the police academy, where they receive a full salary, benefits, required duty uniforms, and City-paid police academy tuition.

Current Peace Officers (Sworn) - The City of Waxahachie offers lateral pay to eligible peace officers who meet the guidelines of our lateral transfer program. Click here to review our lateral entry ordinance. More information on lateral and out-of-state transfers can be provided by the Texas Commission On Law Enforcement (TCOLE) or by contacting recruiting staff at PoliceEntry@waxahachie.com or (469) 309-4410.

The Police Patrol Officer is a responsible, non-supervisory position. Under the general direction of the supervising officer, this position provides fundamental police and law enforcement services for the City of Waxahachie in accordance with local, state, and federal statutes and established departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines.

The Police Patrol Officer performs duties in the most ethical, responsive, courteous, and professional manner. Duties include, but are not limited to, patrolling an assigned area to prevent crime, enforcing laws and ordinances, and responding to emergency calls and routine complaints. Click the following link to view the full job description: Police Patrol Officer Job Description.

CIVIL SERVICE TESTING

Saturday May 16, 2026 at 8:30 AM

Howard Junior High - Cafeteria

265 Broadhead Road, Waxahachie, TX 75165

(Doors close/test begins promptly at 8:30 AM)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Each applicant must turn in their completed Personal History Statement (PHS) during check-in, the morning of the exam. This includes completion of all sections, page initials, and required signatures in the PHS packet. Visit our website at this link to access and download a copy of the PHS.

• Bring a valid photo ID to exam check-in.
• Arrive early: Doors open at 8:00 AM and testing begins promptly at 8:30 AM.
• Arrive in workout/gym attire for the Physical Ability Test (PAT)
• The PAT consists of a 2000-meter row, set at the 50th percentile. You can calculate your approximate time using the link below. (Note: You will need to adjust the Desired Results field to show [50] - Percent before calculating.)
  

Concept 2 Rower Calculator

Waxahachie Police Department Practice Physical Ability Test (PAT) & Open House Event

The City of Waxahachie Police Department will host two (2) practice Physical Ability Tests (PAT) and an Open House meet-and-greet event before the exam for candidates who successfully submit their application with all required documents. More information on the date, time, and locations will be sent in advance to eligible candidates who successfully submit their application and required documents.

Requirements

It is the duty and responsibility of each applicant to submit the required documentation with their application, and any optional documents before the application period deadline. *Applicants who fail to follow these instructions will not be eligible to test with us.

Required Document Attachments (Due at the time of application submission):

• A copy of your valid, unexpired driver's license verifying your information/age
• Education documentation that verifies your highest level of education.
  
  

Examples Include

• High School Diploma/Transcripts (reflecting successful completion/graduation)
• College Diploma/Transcripts (reflecting degree earned or credit hours completed)
• GED + College (reflecting at least 12 college credit hours or more)
• GED + Military (reflecting at least 24 months of active duty military service or more)
  

Optional Document Attachments

• Extra points for veterans: An additional five (5) points shall be added to the passing examination grade of an applicant who served in the United States armed forces and provides verification of an honorable discharge.
  
  

Example

• DD Form 214 - Service 2
• DD Form 214 - Member 4

• Tie breakers: In the event that two or more applicants make identical total final grades as computed under these Rules, then the order of their rank on the Eligibility List shall be determined by giving priority to the person who has:
• The highest level of Police Certification
• The lowest time recorded on the physical ability test
• The highest education degree obtained
  
  

Example Documents Include

• Police license or certificate issued by TCOLE or the Out-of-state certifying body (i.e POST)
• Personal Status Report (PSR) or equivalent (reflecting law enforcement ID# and license type)
• College Diploma or Transcripts reflecting Degree(s) Awarded
• All documents for tie-breaking purposes or additional veteran points should be attached to your submitted application. Late documents will NOT be considered for these purposes after the application period closes on May 6, 2026.
  
  

Hiring Process & Requirements: The hiring process and requirements are outlined below. If it is determined at any time that an applicant does not meet these requirements, the applicant may be disqualified from the hiring process.

To be considered by the City of Waxahachie Police Department for this position, applicants must:

• Submit a completed application with the required supplemental documents attached.
• Be at least 21 years old
• Be a U.S. citizen, able to read and write the English language
• Meet the minimum education requirement
• Present their completed Personal History Statement (including all sections completed, page initials, and signatures) at the time of the exam
• Pass the Civil Service Written Entrance Exam and Physical Ability Test (PAT)
• Pass all pre-employment screening, including but not limited to, background investigation, fingerprinting, polygraph, oral boards, medical, physical, and psychological exams
• Not meet any of the Waxahachie Police Department's disqualifying factors. Applicants may review the full list of Waxahachie Police Department disqualification factors prior to submitting their application. Visit our website at this link to access and download a copy of the WPD Eligibility Requirements and Disqualification Factors.
• Be able to meet the certification requirements of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education
  
  

If you have questions or would like clarification on any of the requirements and disqualification factors, contact recruiting staff at PoliceEntry@waxahachie.com or (469) 309-4410.

Supplemental Information

As an organization, we have worked together to define our vision, mission, and values. These statements are not just words on a document; they are a core part of this department, and we work diligently to transform them from ideas on paper to becoming a strong culture within the department.

VISION: To be a recognized leader in public safety by working in partnership with the community and providing honorable service for a safer Waxahachie.

MISSION: We will Honor our profession through Ethical actions while holding ourselves Accountable with Respect and dedication to Transparency for a safer Waxahachie.

Values

• Honor: We will act with honor and high moral standards in all matters.
• Ethics: We will conduct ourselves in all matters with honor, fairness, and high moral values.
• Accountability: We will hold ourselves to the highest standards and take the appropriate actions in order to build trust with the community we serve.
• Respect: We will treat everyone (each other and the public) in the same manner we would want to be treated with dignity, professionalism, and courtesy.
• Transparency: We will not have hidden agendas; we will be open in our actions, our decisions, and our policies.
  
  

The City of Waxahachie offers a competitive benefits program, including health, dental, and a defined contribution pension plan for full-time employees.

Please visit the Benefit Summary at the link below for more details:

https://www.waxahachie.com/FY2026%20Benefits%20Summary-%20Updated%20with%20Rates%20820.pdf?t=202510171311170

01

Select the highest level of education you have completed. (You must attach a verifying document with this application before submitting)

• GED and completion of at least 12 college credit hours
• GED and completion of at least 24 months of active-duty military service
• High School Diploma
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate
• I do not have any of the combinations listed above, and I am not eligible to test.
  
  

02

Are you a U.S. citizen?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

On May 16, 2026, will you be at least 21 years of age or older?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

Please list your date of birth. (MM/DD/YYYY)

05

Have you ever served in the United States Armed Forces? (If yes, please attach a copy of your DD-214 to your application before submitting)

• Yes
• No
  
  

06

Do you currently hold any valid police or law enforcement certifications or licenses issued by a state certifying agency? (If yes, please attach a verifying document to your application before submitting)

• Yes
• No
  
  

07

Please confirm that you have attached a copy of your Driver's License and Highest Level of Education. If you have not attached the appropriate documentation, you will not be eligible to take the Police Civil Service Entrance Exam.

• Yes
• No
  
  

08

Do you acknowledge that you have reviewed and understand the Requirements and Disqualification Factors linked in the job posting, and confirm that you are eligible to take the exam?

• Yes
• No
  
  

09

I understand that no action will be taken on my online application until all required forms and supporting documents have been submitted. I further understand that my application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed or processed until all required materials have been received, reviewed, and approved. Do you acknowledge and understand the above statement?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question