Begin Your Police Career

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.