Police Recruiting Requirements
Police Officer Recruiting
- Police Officer Recruitment Flyer (PDF)
- Police Officer Hiring Guide (PDF)
- Applications must be submitted online on our Job Opportunities site
- Written/PACT Test Guide (PDF)
- Physical Agility Test Guide (PDF)
Disqualifiers
Review our Disqualifiers List prior to submitting an application. For questions specific to your background or experience, contact our recruiting team.
Sign-On Incentives
We have newly approved sign-on incentives of $5,000 for qualified recruits: $2,000 upon graduation from the police academy, $2,000 upon completion of field training and $1,000 after one year. Qualified laterals will receive their initial $2,000 upon hiring.
Certified Applicants
Lateral pay transfers are available for certified applicants. Please email PD Recruiting for more information. Out-of-state applicants should consult the TCOLE website for eligibility requirements.
2027 Farmers Branch Police Officer Salary
| Year of Employment | Hourly | Biweekly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7th year on | $53.39 | $4,271.51 | $111,059.39 |
| 6th year | $51.08 | $4,087.06 | $106,263.59 |
| 5th year | $48.89 | $3,911.69 | $101,704.03 |
| 4th year | $46.79 | $3,743.60 | $97,333.48 |
| 3rd year | $44.77 | $3,581.86 | $93,128.29 |
| 2nd year | $42.85 | $3,428.30 | $89,135.73 |
| 1st year | $41.00 | $3,280.19 | $85,284.92 |
Vacation accrual
Effective 1/1/2022, new sworn officers accrue vacation according to the following schedule:
| Years of service | Accrued hours per pay period | Accrued hours per year | Maximum accrued hours | Maximum hours payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <1 | 3.6923 | 96 | 192 | 144 |
| 1-4 | 6.9231 | 180 | 192 | 144 |
| 5-9 | 7.0769 | 184 | 240 | 180 |
| 10-14 | 7.6923 | 200 | 272 | 204 |
| 15-19 | 8 | 208 | 320 | 240 |
| 20+ | 8.3077 | 216 | 384 | 288 |
Testing
All applicants must complete the job application before attending a test date. This allows our recruiting team to review your qualifications and determine your eligibility for testing. If you are selected to move forward, you will receive an official invitation with additional details, including available test dates, times and locations. Walk-ins or unregistered attendees will not be permitted to test.
Education & Experience
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must be 21 years of age
- Education: High School Diploma or a High School Equivalency Certificate. If you have a GED, then you must have completed at least 12 hours at an institution of higher education with at least a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale
- If applicable, an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces after at least 24 months of active duty service
- Must be able to work rotating shifts including weekends
- Must be eligible for certification from TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement). For a complete list of the state's licensing requirements, please visit the TCOLE website
- Applicants cannot be on probation for any offense on the date of the test
- Applicants must possess a valid driver's license with no more than three moving violations or accidents in the 36 months preceding the date of application. Out-of-town applicants may apply but must obtain a Texas driver's license upon employment with the City
- See Disqualifiers List (PDF) for more information
TCOLE Requirements
You must meet these TCOLE requirements:
- Never been on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years from the date of the court order
- Not currently charged with any criminal offense for which conviction would be a bar to licensure
- Have never been convicted of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years
- Have never been convicted or placed on community supervision in any court of an offense involving family violence as defined under Chapter 71, Texas Family Code
- Are not prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle
- Are not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition