Entry Level Deputy

Position overview

This opening is for external applicants who are already enrolled and active in a Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) at a licensed outside academy, who currently hold an active Texas Peace Officer License in good standing, or who will qualify for commissioning once BPOC is completed.

Important note

Applicants are responsible for making sure all TCOLE training mandates are current and that they are ready for commissioning.

Candidates who satisfy every requirement and complete the full pre-employment process successfully will be added to an eligibility list. Any upcoming class selections will be made from that list and decided by the chain of command.

Minimum requirements

• Must be actively enrolled in a Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) at a licensed outside academy.
• Must either have an active Texas Peace Officer License in good standing or be eligible for commissioning after BPOC completion.
• Must have a valid Texas driver’s license and auto liability insurance.
• Must pass the pre-employment physical agility test and firearms testing.
• Must complete a full law enforcement background investigation successfully.
• Must pass the physical and psychological examinations required by TCOLE.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screening.
• Vision must be correctable to 20/20, with standard color and peripheral vision; hearing must be correctable to a normal audible range in both ears.
• Employment depends on successful completion of Entry Level Deputy training.
• Training includes a firearms proficiency evaluation and diagnostic assessment, with additional training available if needed.

Reapplication rule

Applicants who previously applied for the Entry Level Deputy role and did not pass the psychological evaluation must wait one year from the evaluation date before applying again.

Application process

The hiring process is completed in five steps. First, submit a complete application that fully lists education, work experience, and veteran status; incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.

Second, qualified applicants will be invited to testing, which includes a physical agility test and firearm qualification. The physical test requires a one-mile run in 11:30 or less, 10 sit-ups in one minute, and 5 push-ups in one minute.

Third, TCOLE requires a detailed background investigation for peace officer candidates, and this may include a polygraph. Selected applicants will be asked to complete the online Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) and upload supporting documents. An investigator will then reach out for an interview. Candidates who do not move through this stage promptly may be removed from the pre-selection list.

Fourth, depending on the number of open positions, candidates will be sent for TCOLE-required physical and psychological evaluations.

Fifth, selected candidates will be contacted at least two weeks before the academy start date.

Preferences

A bachelor’s degree or higher is preferred, and military experience is also preferred.

Required documents

Applicants must upload copies of the following with the application before submitting it:

• Social Security Card
• Driver’s License, front and back
• Proof of education: high school diploma or transcript, GED certificate, or college transcript
• DD-214 military discharge form, if applicable, using the copy of the original Member-4 form
• TCOLE Peace Officer license

Original documents will be required at the background investigation interview, along with three current letters of recommendation. Each letter must include a recent date, original signature, and the undersigned person’s phone number.

Training and certification support

Employees are able to obtain TCOLE Peace Officer Certification advancement at no cost through the HCSO Academy.

Citizenship exceptions under SB 252

You may still qualify for TCOLE licensure if you meet all of the following conditions: you are a permanent legal resident, you are an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. armed forces with at least two years of active service, and you can show proof that you have applied for U.S. citizenship.