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1. How do I become a Texas Peace Officer?

Law enforcement officers (i.e. 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 or TCOLE, pronounced "TEE-COAL", for short. TCOLE requires individuals to complete the following to obtain a commission:

• Successful completion of the basic licensing course
• Passing of the State licensing examination
• Appointment by a law enforcement agency.

2. 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 the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), or an area training academy for specific qualifications.

3. 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.  However, we have just enacted a new program for civilians currently in the police academy.  For individuals that are in a Police Academy, they will go through the same testing process as the Certified applicants.  After passing the required steps following the written test, and physical agility test, a conditional job offer is given.  After the successful completion of the police academy, the officer will start the field training program.     

Another option for 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. The following 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
  Suite 700
  San Antonio, Texas 78217
  Phone: 210-362-5291
• Capitol Area Law Enforcement Academy
  Capitol Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG)
  6800 Burleson Road
  Building 310, Suite 165
  Austin, Texas 78744
  Phone: 512-916-6000
• San Antonio College Law Enforcement Academy
  San Antonio College
  1300 San Pedro Avenue
  San Antonio, Texas 78284
  Phone: 210-228-0973

4. 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
• Polygraph Examination

5. What are the minimum qualifications for employment?

When applying for employment as a Schertz Police Officer, the applicant must:

• Be between 21 and 45 years of age
• Be a U.S 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 polygraph examination
• Pass a medical and psychological examination
• 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

6. 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 TCOLE 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
• Have had a conviction for any class 'B' misdemeanor offense within the past 10 years

7. 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
• Take-home Car Program

8. 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".

9. I still have questions. Whom can I contact to obtain more information?

Questions regarding Schertz Police Department can be directed to:

Lt. Hillory Murphy
Schertz Police Department
1400 Schertz Parkway
Building 6
Schertz, TX 78154
Phone: 210-619-1242

10. What is the hiring processes?

Hiring processes are scheduled when positions become available. When a hiring process is planned, you can check the Schertz Police Department website. 

Written Test

Our written test consists of four separate sections that are timed. The questions involve multiple-choice and True/False response formats, which include basic reading, writing, and arithmetic. The last section of the test requires an applicant to write a short incident report, answering all the questions in complete sentences. 
Although most questions on the test pertain to police work, no prior knowledge of law or law enforcement is needed to answer the questions.

After successful completion of the written test (A score of 70 or higher), applicants will move immediately to the obstacle course and PT Test.

Physical Training Test

PT Test consists of:

• 1-mile run in 13 minutes.
• 20 Push-ups in 1 minute
• 20 Sit-ups in 1 minute

Applicants will have sufficient time between the written test and the PT test to change into PT clothing.

Obstacle Course

Objective 1

An applicant will negotiate various obstacles and verbal commands while attempting to detain a suspect. This course will include running, crawling, jumping and climbing. There will also be requirements of being able to safely and effectively apply restraints to a potential suspect. This is a timed event.

Objective 2

An applicant will be required to move a 165-pound training aid a specified distance. This task must be completed in the allotted time.

Please Note

• There will be no food, drinks, cell phones, smart watches or any other hand carried items allowed into the room where testing is to take place. Any personal items must be stored in your vehicle.
• Applicants who have separated from any branch of the United States Military will need to bring their member copy Number 4 of the DD214 to receive 5 points which will be added to their passing test score. This must be presented the day of the testing.