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Begin Your Police Career
How to Apply
The Denton Police Department hires from an eligibility list that is created by the passing scores on a Civil Service Exam. Civil Service exams are administered multiple times a year. Check the "Notice of Civil Service Exam" document linked under the Important Resources heading on the Law Enforcement Careers page to see when the next exam is scheduled.
Optional online study guides for the Civil Service Exam are available for purchase on the Fire and Police Selection, Inc. website.
Additional Notes
- Complete a copy of the Preliminary Background Questionnaire (PDF), and submit it at check-in for the Civil Service Exam
- Rules and Regulations of the Civil Service Commission for the City of Denton (PDF)
- Military credit applicants must present a copy of their DD214 at check-in in order to receive five points
Hiring Process Overview
- Register for the Civil Service Exam
- Interpersonal Skills Assessment
- A Background Investigator will provide email link to eSOPH Application
- Pre-Polygraph Interview
- Polygraph Examination
- Psychological Evaluation
- Background Investigation
- Oral Interview Board
- Chief's Interview
- Health Assessment and Drug Screen
- Placed on payroll and must successfully complete the Police Academy at the Department's expense
- Must pass the State Licensing Exam
Basic Requirements
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Age: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age to take the Civil Service Exam and cannot have reached their 45th birthday
- Education: Applicants must either:
- Possess a high school diploma or GED and have completed at least 30 hours of college from an accredited college or university with at least a 2.0 grade point average (GPA)
- Possess a high school diploma or a GED and have two years active military duty with an Honorable Discharge
- Eyesight: Vision must be correctable to 20/20 in both eyes, and must not be color blind
- Driver's License: Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver's license
- Past Criminal Record:
- Not be on probation for any criminal offense above the grade of a Class C misdemeanor
- Not have been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years
- No convictions of a Class A or a Felony offense
- No convictions for any family violence offense
- No convictions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in the past ten years
- Cannot be on suspension for a breath test refusal
- Have not been prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition
- Have not been prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle within the past 24 months
- Cannot be currently under indictment for any criminal offense
- No convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude
- Health: Pass a health assessment, to include a drug screen
Salary
View the Current Police Pay Plan (PDF).
Benefits
View the Benefits Summary (PDF).
Vacation
Fifteen days per year, earned at 10 hours per month. Officers also receive Bonus Vacation of one-half day (four hours) extra vacation for each year worked past the fifth year of service, upon the completion of the fifth year of employment. There is no limit on how much can be accumulated, but an employee would only be paid for up to 320 hours of vacation time upon termination.
Sick Leave
Fifteen days per year, earned at 10 hours per month. There is no limit on how much can be accumulated, but an employee would only be paid for up to 90 days of sick leave upon termination.
Overtime
Any officer who is required to work beyond their scheduled shift will be paid overtime at the rate of 1.5 hours for each hour worked.
Holidays
The City of Denton has 13 paid holidays per year, including two personal floating holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving
- Friday after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
Officers who work holidays will be compensated at the rate of 1.5 times their normal salary.
Longevity
After one year of service, an officer will receive $4 per month for each year of service ($48 per year). No maximum.
Life Insurance
The City of Denton provides life insurance for each employee at no cost to the individual. The coverage equals one year's salary or double in cases of accidental death.
Retirement
Employees participate in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Employees contribute 7% of gross pay (tax deferred), and the City of Denton matches contributions and interest on a 2:1 basis upon retirement. Employees can retire after 20 years of service at any age or with five years of service at age 60. A supplemental, tax-deferred retirement savings plan is also offered to employees, and it is a voluntary plan with no City of Denton contributions.
Flexible Spending Account
Employees may elect to enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts in order to use tax-free dollars to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses and/or dependent care expenses.
Medical Insurance
An employee has two preferred provider organization (PPO) options for medical insurance. The employee pays for dependents, and depending on plan type and other criteria, may receive medical benefits at no cost or low cost premiums for "employee only" coverage.
Uniforms
The Department will issue uniforms to the employee including a Sam Browne, cuffs, and case, Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.) spray and body armor.
Take-Home Vehicle
The Department has a large fleet of vehicles. To qualify for a take-home vehicle, officers must reside inside the city of Denton, and must conform to the take-home vehicle policy. The officers in the Operations Bureau (patrol) drive fully equipped squads at no cost to the officer. Insurance, gas, and maintenance are furnished by the Department. Vehicles are issued on a seniority basis.
Tuition Reimbursement
The City of Denton offers 100% reimbursement for tuition and required fees to employees taking occupation-related courses toward a degree program or a job-related course. Reimbursement for courses requires the approval of the Director of Human Resources prior to enrollment. Employees must continue to work for two years with the City after completion of course work, or the employees must reimburse the City.
Accordia Plan
Through the Accordia Plan, identified expenses can be sheltered from federal taxes. Payroll deductions will allow you to save tax dollars by reducing the amount of taxable income.