The La Porte Police Department is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants not currently certified as Peace Officers must contact the City of La Porte Human Resources Department to be placed on a list to take the civil service exam. Our department also offers a lateral entry program for both Texas Peace Officers and Out-of-State Peace Officers.

NOTICE - The City of La Porte Human Resources Department's recent acceptance of police applications, and subsequent hirings, have been limited to our Lateral Entry Program. Lateral entry requirements are listed below.

The City of La Porte's Human Resources Department is NOT accepting applications at this time to be placed on the list for our next civil service exam. An exam has yet to be scheduled, therefore please be aware all applications received for this purpose will not be kept. Should the Human Resources Department begin accepting applications again for the next civil service exam, the information will be posted under their portion of the city website (Human Resources/Employment/Civil Service).

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Applying for the Lateral Entry Program:

Applicants interested in applying for the Lateral Entry Program must meet the minimum requirements as stated below. The applicant must then complete a City of La Porte employment application and indicate "Lateral Police" in the position title box. Also, each applicant should enter an active e-mail address on the front of the application. There is not a place specifically generated for e-mail addresses, therefore, anywhere in plain sight on the front of the application will suffice.

Lateral Entry Requirements:

Applicants must have graduated from an accredited Police Academy and possess a Basic Peace Officer license issued by TCLEOSE by the time of appointment.

Applicants must pass:

Physical Fitness Exam	Psychological Exam
Comprehensive Background Investigation	Polygraph
Medical Exam	Drug Screening
12 Month Probationary Period

Lateral entry or TCLEOSE certified applicants should contact Support Services Lieutenant Ed Swenson at (281) 842-3114 for more information

More Information on the Lateral Entry/Certified Peace Officer Program...

Under La Porte PD's lateral entry program, certified officers with previous experience may begin with a base Salary ranging from $42,640 to $53,268 (not including available incentive pay and bonuses). Applicants who qualify for the lateral entry program are exempt from taking the Civil Service Exam. However, applicants must pass the physical fitness exam, comprehensive background investigation, to include psychological, polygraph, medical exam, drug screening and a 12 month probationary period. Applicants must have graduated from an accredited Police Academy and possess a Basic Peace Officer license issued by TCLEOSE by the time of appointment. The lateral entry program will adjust the pay rate for transferring officers and offer up to 7 years credit for prior service. However, previous rank or seniority status will not transfer. Lateral entry or TCLEOSE certified applicants should contact Support Services Lieutenant Ed Swenson @ (281) 842-3114 for more information.

Primary Eligibility Requirements

1. Must be at least 21 years old at the time of appointment to police officer.
2. May not be 45 years of age or older. However, applicants over 45 may apply if they have at least 5 years of military experience (active duty) or previous police experience.
3. Must possess at least a GED.
4. Must not have a discharge from military service "under less than honorable conditions".
5. Must satisfactorily complete a state certified police academy and pass the state licensing exam if not certified already.
6. If certified already, must possess a current license with TCLEOSE.
7. Must pass a psychological, polygraph and physical examination, and a drug screen.
8. Must pass an oral interview examination and background check.
9. Must demonstrate weapons proficiency.
10. Must be free from drug dependency or illegal drug use.
11. Must not have ever been convicted of a felony or ever placed on community supervision, or ever convicted of barratry.
12. Must not be on court ordered community supervision or probation for any offense above a Class C misdemeanor.
13. Must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor above a Class C within the last 5 years.

Police Officer Salary Schedule
Effective 10/01/2012

Patrol Officer				Sergeant				Lieutenant
Year of Service		Hourly Rate		Years of Service		Hourly Rate		Years of Service		Hourly Rate
0 to 1 year		$22.03		0 to 1 year		$31.89		0 to 1 year		$37.75
1 to 2 years		$22.77		1 to 2 years		$32.37		1 to 2 years		$38.00
2 to 3 years		$23.51		2 to 3 years		$32.85		2 to 3 years		$38.20
3 to 4 years		$24.25		3 to 4 years		$33.33		3 to 4 years		$38.50
4 to 5 years		$24.99		4 to 5 years		$33.81		4 to 5 year		$38.75
5 to 6 years		$25.73		5 to 6 years		$34.29		5 to 6 years		$39.00
6 to 7 years		$26.47		6 to 7 years		$34.77		6 to 7 years		$39.25
7 to 8 years		$27.21		7 to 8 years		$35.25		7 to 8 years		$39.50
8 to 9 years		$27.95		8 to 9 years		$35.73		8 to 9 years		$39.75
9 to 10 years		$28.69		9 to 10 years		$36.21		9 to 10 years		$40.00
10 years		$29.43		10 years +		$36.65		10 years +		$40.29
11 years		$30.17
12 years +		$30.96

The La Porte Police Department also offers:

• Longevity Pay (Annual)
• Shift Differential Compensation (Evening & Night Shifts)
• Certificate Pay for Intermediate, Advanced, and Master Peace Officer
• Educational Pay for any level Degree from an Accredited College
• Educational Reimbursement Pay for those electing to attend college
• Special assignment pay for Field Training Officers, SWAT, and DOT
• Physical Fitness Incentive Pay (Annual)
• Compensatory (Comp.) Time accruement up to 40 hours
• Take Home Car privileges based on seniority and assignment

Click Here for additional information on pay, leave, medical, retirement, and other benefits