Police Careers

The Denton Police Department currently has 210 authorized sworn positions. We average about 10 openings at any given time.

All prospective police officer candidates, other than candidates for the position of police chief or lateral applicants, must take the civil service exam first. They must pass the test, turn in a Preliminary Background Questionnaire, and be placed on an eligibility list. Everyone who is not applying for the position of Police Chief, or as a lateral transfer, will start at the entry level rank of Police Officer.

If this is the case, we have not yet arrived at your name on the eligibility list. After the final list is posted, with all tie-breakers and other provisions applied, we start with the first name on the list and work down. The number of openings determine the number of applications being worked on at the same time.

For example, if we have five openings, we work on five applications. Once we start on a candidate's application, we work through the entire process, step by step until the candidate is either hired or disqualified. After that, we move to the next name on the list based on the number of current openings.

When and if we get to your name, we will contact you. You must keep your contact information current or it could jeopardize your opportunity for employment with us.

Absolutely not! We routinely get through an entire eligibility list before filling all positions. The reason is that most people on the list do not meet our hiring standards for one reason or another.

The Denton Police Department does not currently have a physical agility test such as an obstacle course or a Cooper test. Much later in the process, candidates are sent to a physician for a physical exam and stress test. Candidates will be subjected to physical activity in which their heart will be monitored. The doctor will make a determination on whether or not the candidate is fit for police work.

If you are worried about the physical assessment, see your doctor first and then consider starting your own health and fitness program.

It varies from candidate to candidate. From the time we contact you until the time you are hired usually takes a month but typically no longer than three months.

Maybe. Licensed Texas peace officers may be required to attend a Denton Police Department Basic Police Academy (BPOC), and each officer applicant will be assessed based upon their prior level of training and experience.  Certified officers will attend an orientation program of at least two weeks and then go into the Field Training Program. Licensed police officers from other states who apply for Lateral Police Officer positions will not have to attend an academy if they have already become certified in Texas through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), which consists of submitting the Out of State Federal Initial Application, completing the 120-hour Texas Supplemental Peace Officer Course (course #1018), and successfully passing the State of Texas Licensing Exam.

For more information on becoming certified in Texas please visit the TCOLE website.

The Denton Police Department currently hosts two academies annually, generally starting in January and in July, and all new recruits who are not already licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) will attend one of these academies. The curriculum now consists of over 800 hours of training and takes approximately five months to complete.

The field training program lasts approximately six months but can be shorter for advanced recruits. During this time, you will be under the constant supervision of experienced police officers who will monitor your daily performance according to the program. Upon completion of the field training program, all officers will go directly to the Patrol Division where you will be assigned to a car by yourself.

Generally, the Denton Police Department does not work two-officer patrol unless directed by supervisors.

The Patrol Division now works 12 hour shifts based on an 80 hour, 2 week cycle.

Most police officers spend several years in patrol before moving laterally into other positions such as investigator, school resource officer, traffic enforcement and administration. There is a two year minimum of assignment as a patrol officer before application can be made for these assignments. However, when positions come open, interested officers will be competing with other officers seeking the same positions. Selection criteria vary from section to section.

There are six ranks in the Denton Police Department:

1. Police Officer
2. Sergeant
3. Lieutenant
4. Deputy Chief
5. Assistant Chief
6. Chief

Promotions for Sergeant and Lieutenant are based on civil service provisions. Deputy Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs are selected by the Chief. The Chief is selected by the City Manager and approved by the City Council.

Police Officers must have three years of time in service before being eligible for Sergeant. Sergeants must have two years of time in grade to be eligible for Lieutenant. On average, newly promoted Patrol Sergeants have seven or more years of time in service.

Yes. The Denton Police Department will provide you with uniforms, duty equipment, and some other accessories. You will also be supplied with training ammunition for your sidearm and Department rifle. However, you will be responsible for purchasing or providing the following items:

• Your pistol. The Denton Police Department does not issue sidearms or rifles to police officers. Recruit officers must purchase and are only allowed to carry a Glock 17, currently Generation 5, equipped with approved night sights. Recruit officers will be required to purchase a patrol rifle from the approved Department list prior to completion of the probationary period. The Police Department will provide you with a duty shotgun and duty ammunition if desired.
• Appropriate footwear.
• Physical training attire for the academy (if applicable).

A Generation 5 Glock 17 can currently be purchased for approximately $520, including night sights and tax. Other gear, such as holsters, magazine carriers, and ammunition will be provided.

Civil Service exams are administered multiple times a year. Visit the Law Enforcement Careers page to view the current civil service exam schedule.

Knowledge of police procedure is not necessary for this exam. The exam is a content-valid written test used to measure candidates’ ability to effectively work with the public and other members of their department in addition to reading comprehension, writing ability, reasoning/analyzing, mathematical reasoning, and various human relations skills.