Employment
The Schertz Police Department employs the most professional and qualified Texas Peace Officers to positively represent the City of Schertz and the law enforcement community. As of 1 January 2011, the Schertz Police Department has 45 sworn Peace Officer 12 Reserve Peace Officer positions. To maintain its operational strength, the Department periodically conducts hiring processes when vacated positions become available. Positions frequently become available due to several reasons such as retirements, promotions, and personnel moves.
If you have an interest in becoming a Texas Peace Officer and would like an opportunity to serve the community and residents of the City of Schertz, please read the following FAQ to start your journey through a positive and rewarding career in law enforcement.
How do I become a Texas Peace Officer?
What if I’m already a Commissioned Peace Officer from another state?
Does the Schertz Police Department have a police academy?
How do I become a Schertz Police Officer?
What are the minimum qualifications for employment?
What are disqualifications for employment?
What benefits are offered as an employee?
When are the hiring processes?
Where can I obtain an application?
Does SZPD have a ride-along program?
I still have questions, who can I contact to obtain more information?
HOW DO I BECOME A TEXAS PEACE OFFICER?
Law enforcement officers (ie Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, Constables, etc) within the State of Texas are considered “PEACE OFFICERS”. All Texas Peace Officers are required to obtain and maintain a commission through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education or TCLEOSE, pronounced “TEE-CLOSE”, for short. TCLEOSE requires individuals to complete the following to obtain a commission:
- Successful completion of the basic licensing course;
- Passing of the State licensing examination; and
- Appointment by a law enforcement agency.
WHAT IF I’M ALREADY A COMMISSIONED PEACE OFFICER FROM ANOTHER STATE?
If you have had or currently have a Peace Officer commission (or its equivalent) issued from another State or the Federal government, you may be eligible to attend a “Texas Supplemental Peace Officer Course” in lieu of the basic peace officer course. For further information you should contact TCLEOSE or an area training academy for specific qualifications.
DOES THE SCHERTZ POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE A POLICE ACADEMY?
No. Currently, the Schertz Police Department provides instruction and in-service training only to persons who hold a current Peace Officer Commission. Individuals seeking enrollment into a Basic Peace Officer Course are encouraged to research and attend one of several local or area training academies. A benefit to attending a regional or area training academy is that individuals attending these academies do not necessarily have to be currently employed with an agency in order to be accepted into the program. Frequently, these individuals first attend the Basic Peace Officer Course and pass the State required license examination on their own before seeking employment with any of the various law enforcement agencies within the State of Texas. Below is a list of the major local training academies in the Schertz area:
Alamo Area Law Enforcement Academy
Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG)
8700 Tesoro Drive, ste 700
San Antonio, Texas 78217
210.362.5291
Capitol Area Law Enforcement Academy
Capitol Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG)
6800 Burleson Road
Building 310, Ste 165
Austin, Texas 78744
512.916.6000
San Antonio College Law Enforcement Academy
San Antonio College
1300 San Pedro Avenue
San Antonio, Texas 78284
210.228.0973
HOW DO I BECOME A SCHERTZ POLICE OFFICER?
In order to become a police officer for the City of Schertz, you must meet the minimum qualifications for employment as a Texas Peace Officer. The process begins with the completion and submission of a City of Schertz employment application. From there, your application will be forwarded to the Schertz Police Department for review. When appropriate, you may be scheduled for the following:
- Basic Police Service Examination
- Physical Fitness and Agility Test
- Background Investigation
- Oral Interview
- Medical Examination
- Psychological Examination
WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT?
When applying for employment as a Schertz Police Officer, the applicant must:
- Be 21 years of age;
- Be a US citizen;
- Have a High School Diploma, GED, or 12 college hours from an accredited college or university;
- Be of good moral character;
- Pass a basic police service examination;
- Be in good physical condition;
- Be considered for selection by an oral interview board;
- Pass a detailed and in-depth background investigation;
- Pass a medical and psychological examination; and
- If prior military, the applicant must have an “HONORABLE” character of service discharge or other discharge that does not indicate any less than honorable character of service.
WHAT ARE DISQUALIFICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT?
The following items are considered disqualifications for police service within the Schertz Police Department:
- A conviction of any family violence related offense;
- Prohibited by any State or Federal law from operating a motor vehicle;
- Prohibited by any State or Federal Law from possessing firearms or ammunition;
- Any discharge from the United States Armed Forces with a less than honorable character of service including specifically: under other than honorable conditions, bad conduct, dishonorable, or any other characterization of service indicating bad character;
- Currently charged with any criminal offense for which a conviction would be a bar to TCLEOSE licensure;
- Have ever had court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of a Class ‘B’ Misdemeanor;
- Have had court-ordered community supervision or probation for any Class ‘B’ Misdemeanor offense within the past 10 years;
- Have ever been convicted of any criminal offense above the grade of a Class ‘B’ Misdemeanor; or
- Have had a conviction for any Class ‘B’ Misdemeanor offense within the past 10 years.
WHAT BENEFITS ARE OFFERED AS AN EMPLOYEE?
Employment with the City of Schertz includes the following benefits:
- Competitive pay;
- Medical, vision, and dental coverage for employee;
- Medical, vision, and dental coverage plans for spouse and children;
- Paid life insurance
- Long term and short term disability benefits
- Retirement benefits with a minimum 7% employee contribution with the City of Schertz matching 2-to-1 of employee contributions
- Vacation Leave Accrual
- Sick Leave Accrual
- 10 paid holidays
- Uniform clothing allowance
- Certification pay
- Paid training
- Duty weapons and equipment provided
WHEN ARE THE HIRING PROCESSES?
Hiring processes are scheduled when positions become available. When a hiring process is planned, you can check the SZPD website or local newspapers for announcement information.
WHERE CAN I OBTAIN AN APPLICATION?
Police Applicants must visit the City of Schertz Employment Opportunities page, locate the open job posting and click “APPLY”.
DOES SZPD HAVE A RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM?
Yes. However, due the inherent risk and dangers of police service, ride-alongs are usually restricted to law enforcement training cadets or select persons specifically granted permission by the Chief of Police or his designee. Those who seek permission to participate in the ride-along program must first submit the Official Request and Release of Liability and Indemnity forms to the Schertz Police Department. Both forms can be obtained HERE. After review of your request, you will be contacted by a member of the Schertz Police Department to schedule your ride-along.
I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS, WHO CAN I CONTACT TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION?
Questions regarding Schertz Police Department can be directed to:
Schertz Police Department
1400 Schertz Parkway, Building 6
Schertz, Texas 78154
210.619.1200