Police Officer Qualifications

Eligibility requirements for police officers

• Applicant must be at least 21 years of age
• Applicant must be a citizen of the United States
• Applicant must have a High school diploma or GED
• Have been honorably discharged from any and all military service or provide proof of acceptable military re-enlistment eligibility if prior service is uncharacterized
• Must a have current and valid motor vehicle operator’s license
• Not have been convicted of or received deferred adjudication for any offense of family violence
• Not have been on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years from the date of the court order
• Not ever been convicted of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years
• Not have any criminal charges pending or under indictment for any criminal offense;
• Not be currently on court-ordered community service or probation for any criminal offense;
• Not have excessive traffic tickets or accidents;
• Not have had a license issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education revoked or suspended;
• Be of good moral character
• Must be able to work shift work, holidays and weekends
• Must have the ability to read and comprehend training materials, departmental policy, rules, regulations, laws and ordinances;
• Must have the ability to establish effective working relationship with other employees, law enforcement agencies and the public;
• Must have the ability to learn the use and care of firearms and specialized equipment;
• Must possess 20/20 vision, either corrected or uncorrected or uncorrected in each eye, unless vision is corrected by the use of contact lenses which must be worn on duty and/or during all law enforcement related activities. Must be free of dichromatic color blindness, night blindness and any other visual deficiencies or limitations.
• Must possess hearing that cannot exceed an average hearing loss of 25 decibels (ANSI) at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hertz; cannot exceed a single reading of 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, 3000 Hertz; cannot exceed a single reading of 35 decibels at 500 Hertz; and cannot exceed a single reading of 45 decibels at 4000 Hertz.

Ineligibility and disqualifiers

Below is a list of occurrences that may disqualify the applicant either permanently or make the applicant ineligible for hire for a specified period of time. These causes for disqualification are in accordance with Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. These causes include, but are not limited to those listed below:

INELIGIBILITY LIST

1. Is NOT a citizen of the United States. The applicant will be considered ineligible until citizenship is obtained in accordance with state and federal laws.
2. Has been convicted of or admitted to conduct that constitutes a Class B misdemeanor under the Penal Code or equivalent under federal law, to include the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), within ten (10) years, will result in a temporary rejection. Crimes involving moral turpitude may result in permanent disqualification and will be considered on a case-by-case basis with appropriate consideration of circumstances.
3. Has been convicted of or admitted to conduct which constitutes a class A misdemeanor or a felony under state or federal law, to include the UCMJ. Conviction of or admission to conduct that constitutes a class A misdemeanor, or a felony will result in a permanent disqualification.
4. An applicant will not be considered for employment while charges are pending for any criminal offense.
   
   NOTE: *For the purposes of item #2 mentioned above, a person is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime involving moral turpitude, if a court of competent jurisdiction enters an adjudication of guilt against the person, or a plea of guilty is entered by the person, under the laws of this or another state or the United States, regardless of whether:
   
   *The sentence is subsequently probated, and the person is discharged from probation or community supervision;
   *Deferred adjudication is granted;
   *The accusation, complaint, information, or indictment against the person is dismissed is released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense: or
   *The person is pardoned for the offense, unless the pardon is granted expressly for subsequent proof of innocence.
5. Having a conviction for driving under the influence (DWI or DUI) within TEN (10) years preceding the date of application, or during the hiring process. This will result in a temporary disqualification until the ten-year time period has expired from the date of the conviction.
6. Has ever been, or is currently on court ordered community supervision or probation above the grade of a Class B Misdemeanor or a Class B Misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years. This will result in a temporary disqualification until the ten-year time period has expired from the date of the court order.
7. Has failed to demonstrate their ability to read, write, and fluently speak the English language. The applicant will be ineligible until the deficiency is corrected.
8. Is unable to perform the essential functions of the position to which he/she seeks appointment, with or without reasonable accommodation(s). The applicant will be ineligible until he/she is able to perform the essential job functions.
9. Is unable to obtain a Texas Driver’s License within the specified time required by the Texas Transportation Code. The applicant will be ineligible until he/she is able to obtain a Texas Driver’s License.

DISQUALIFIER LIST

Subject to final interpretation by the Chief of Police or his/her designee any of the following categories can be used as guidelines for temporary or permanent disqualification.

1. HAS USED ILLICIT SUBSTANCES AS INDICATED IN THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES:
   
   *Applicants will be temporarily disqualified when they have admitted to conduct which constitutes use of marijuana during the last five (5) years.
   *Applicants, who admit to conduct which constitutes abuse of legally obtained prescription medication(s), or illegal use of prescription medication(s) of another person, may be temporarily or permanently disqualified. Conduct involving the abuse and/or misuse of prescription medication(s) will be considered on a case-by-case basis with consideration given to circumstances. Applicants will be permanently disqualified when it has been determined or they have admitted to conduct which constitutes illegal use of felony grade substances as defined in the Texas Penal Code.
   
   
2. APPLICANTS WILL BE TEMPORARILY DISQUALIFIED WHO HAVE VIOLATIONS EXCEEDING THREE (3) EVENTS (MOVING VIOLATIONS OR PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTS) IN THE PRECEDING THIRTY-SIX (36) MONTHS OR A RECKLESS DRIVING CONVICTION IN THE PRECEDING SIXTY (60) MONTHS.
   
   Lesser but more severe violations that tend to indicate driving habits that are not compatible with the operation of emergency vehicles and present potential liabilities to the City of Allen will be temporarily disqualified. Re-application will be permitted when the candidate can meet the above standards.
   
   
3. HAS BEEN DISMISSED OR RESIGNED IN LIEU OF DISMISSAL FROM ANY EMPLOYMENT FOR INEFFICIENCY, DELINQUENCY, OR MISCONDUCT. THIS WILL BE EVALUATED ON A CASE-BY-CASE-BASES.