Police officers play a vital role in societies by upholding and enforcing the law and safeguarding citizens. Becoming a police officer requires a rigorous amount of training. You also need to meet a wide range of qualifications before you can even be considered for the job. The reason for this is simple: police officers are a society’s first line of defense.

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In Dallas, Texas, the population is roughly 1.24 million, making it the 9th largest city in the United States. Furthermore, the city is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Due to its size and the fact that it has one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the country, the police force in Dallas is required to be top notch.
If you are interested in becoming a police officer in Dallas, Texas, here’s what you’ll need to know.

What are the requirements to become a police officer in Dallas?

For anyone seeking to become a police officer in Dallas, Texas, certain qualifications need to be met beforehand. If you meet the basic requirements, you will then proceed to submit a formal application and undergo a series of physical and psychological tests. You will also need to undertake training at the police academy before you enter the force.
An outline of the steps required to become a police officer in Dallas is as follows:

  • Meet the minimum qualifications
  • Preliminary screening and board interview
  • Pass a number of tests including drug test, medical test, psychological test, and a background check
  • Take a physical examination
  • Undergo training at the Dallas Police Training Academy
  • Undergo field training
Things to Consider when Becoming a Police Officer
How Do You Become a Police Officer in Dallas

The Minimum Requirements for becoming a police officer

Certain minimum requirements must be satisfied in order to become a police officer. Candidates must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Have a valid driver´s license
  • Be at least 19 1/2 years old at the time of application and have 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university and a minimum GPA of 2.0 OR
  • Be between 21-44 and have 45 credit hours from an accredited college or university and a minimum GPA of 2.0
  • Have some college credits at the time of application OR have served in the armed forces for three years and left with an honorable discharge
  • Clear the DPD tattoo policy
  • No criminal record or traffic violations
  • At least 20/100 vision in each eye which is correctable to 20/20

Preliminary Screening & Board Interview

If you clear the above, you will need to go through a series of interviews with the DPD police officers and supervisors. This will allow them to assess you as an individual.

You will also have to pass the Civil Service test before you can start on your application.

Dallas Police Officer Exams

You will need to clear a number of tests including a thorough background check and psychological evaluation.

You will also need to clear a medical evaluation and drug test.

Physical Examination

Candidates must successfully:

  • Be able to run 300 meters in 110 seconds
  • Do 14 sit-ups and 4 push-ups in 60 seconds each
  • Run 1.5 miles in 19 minutes and 9 seconds or less
  • Be able to press at least 56% of your body weight
  • Jump vertically 6.5 inches
  • Complete the Illinois Shuttle Run in 24.9 seconds

What does the Dallas Police Training Academy entail?

Recruits will spend 20 weeks at the Dallas Police Department’s Basic Training Academy where they will learn all of the necessary skills required to become a police officer. This training involves both theory and practical training including firearms training, fitness training, as well as studying law enforcement procedures and techniques.

Dallas Police Officer Salary and Jobs Outlook

Given the fact that Dallas is one of the largest cities in the country, it also employs one of the largest police forces in the country. Data from O*NET OnLine suggests that this profession is expected to see a 5%-8% growth between 2014-24.

According to BLS.gov, the Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas Metropolitan Division is one of the metropolitan areas in the country with the highest employment level in this profession. As of May 2015, its statistics were as follows:

Employment Employment per thousand jobs Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
10,320 4.43 $30.76 $63,990

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