Recruiting Information
The Cedar Park Police Department is currently expanding to meet the law enforcement needs of a growing community and we are looking for diverse and qualified individuals…
…who want to be more than just another badge number and desire to utilize their unique gifts, talents, and personal contributions to help make the Cedar Park community a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
…who recognize the honor of police service and who would appreciate the opportunity to work in a community where they’re supported by the citizens they serve.
…who have character and expect more from themselves and their peers.
…who are ready to accept the challenge of change.
…who realize that law enforcement goals can only be achieved through teamwork, creativity, and dedication.
The Cedar Park Police Department is looking for those individuals who know that true service does not lie in numbers, but the quality of service provided by the individual.
Cedar Park Police Offer $2,000 “Sign On” Incentive
A candidate will receive the $2,000 incentive pay upon his/her completion of the Field Training Program. The candidate must remain employed by the Police Department for a minimum of 2 (two) years. If a candidate leaves the Department before the two year time period, he/she would be responsible for paying back the amount of the incentive. For more information on the $2,000 Incentive program, please feel free to contact the City of Cedar Park Human Resources Department.
Cedar
Park
Police Sworn Officer Compensation Plan
The entry-level amounts do not reflect the additional $2,000
"Sign On" incentive, only basic salary information. The $2,000 incentive is paid in addition to the annual salary indicated on the compensation plan below.
Cadet/Lateral Entry Programs
Police Cadet Program
An applicant that does not have a law enforcement certification in Texas may be eligible for the Police Cadet Program. Cadets must meet all basic requirements and successfully pass all phases of the hiring process like any potential candidate. A Police Cadet is hired and paid by the City of Cedar Park while attending a local law enforcement academy. A Police Cadet must attend and successfully complete a Basic Peace Officer Training Course and be certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education before becoming a Cedar Park Police Officer. The Police Department will also pay for the basic academy tuition, as well as provide the basic uniform and equipment necessary to participate in the academy. A Police Cadet, upon becoming a sworn Police Officer for the City of Cedar Park, must serve a one-year probationary period and is not considered a Civil Service employee until they have completed that probationary period. If the Cadet leaves the employ of the Cedar Park Police Department within 2 years after they are sworn in as a Police Officer, the employee will be required to repay all costs associated with sending the employee to the police academy as a cadet. An applicant that does not have a law enforcement certification in Texas may be eligible for the Police Cadet Program. Cadets must meet all basic requirements and successfully pass all phases of the hiring process like any potential candidate. A Police Cadet is hired and paid by the City of Cedar Park while attending a local law enforcement academy. A Police Cadet must attend and successfully complete a Basic Peace Officer Training Course and be certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education before becoming a Cedar Park Police Officer. The Police Department will also pay for the basic academy tuition, as well as provide the basic uniform and equipment necessary to participate in the academy. A Police Cadet, upon becoming a sworn Police Officer for the City of Cedar Park, must serve a one-year probationary period and is not considered a Civil Service employee until they have completed that probationary period. If the Cadet leaves the employ of the Cedar Park Police Department within 2 years after they are sworn in as a Police Officer, the employee will be required to repay all costs associated with sending the employee to the police academy as a cadet.
Lateral Entry Program
The Lateral Entry Program is designed to offer experienced Police Officers an additional incentive to apply with the Cedar Park Police Department. Lateral Entry candidates must meet all basic requirements and successfully pass all phases of the hiring process like any potential entry-level candidate. However, if the experienced candidate meets the criteria, he / she may be eligible for pay level placement at “Step 2” on the established Police Department Pay Schedule. A candidate must be certified by T.C.L.E.O.S.E., have at least (4) years of work experience with similar duties in a comparable Law Enforcement Agency, and must not have a break in service for more than 180 days prior to the applicant’s examination date.
Minimum Requirements for Police Officers
The City of Cedar Park has adopted Civil Service for Public Safety and all hiring processes are conducted in accordance with established Civil Service Rules and Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code. The following minimum eligibility requirements information is from the Cedar Park Fire Fighters’ and Police Officers’ Civil Service Commission rules and regulations. An applicant for police officer shall meet the following criteria in order to be considered for any entry-level position:
· Achieve a minimum passing score of seventy (70) percent on the written examination;
· Pass an in-depth background investigation;
· Successfully complete the video-based behavioral testing (BPAD) or other situational reasoning testing and
assessment;
· Pass oral interviews;
· Successfully complete a post-job offer psychological examination and medical examination that includes passing a visual acuity test, and physician certification that the applicant is not dependent on and does not use illegal drugs;
· Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of hire.
· Be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an equivalency certificate;
· Have a valid Texas driver's license at the date of hire;
· Be a citizen of the United States by birth or naturalization;
· Be able to read, write, and speak the English language;
· Be of good moral character;
· Shall not be prohibited from carrying a firearm or possessing ammunition; and
· Meet all requirements as established in Texas Civil Service law in accordance with the Texas Local Government Code, Cedar Park Local Civil Service Rules, and any amended articles agreed upon through the established Meet and Confer process.
Visual Acuity Standard:
In accordance with Civil Service Rule 143.023 Eligibility for Beginning Position (3) Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Police Officers (e), and local Cedar Park Civil Service Rules, the Police Department has established a basic visual acuity standard.
Cedar Park Police Department Visual Acuity Standard:
Candidate for police officer possesses uncorrected visual acuity of 20/100 or better in each eye with both eyes correctable to at least 20/20 binocular vision with contact lenses; and the ability to distinguish between basic color groups.
Updated: July 24, 2006
Basic Application/Hiring Process Outline
1. Applicants will complete the basic City of Cedar Park Application for Employment, including all required forms provided by Cedar Park Human Resources. An applicant must fully complete and return all forms and provide the requested copies of required documentation before the application will be considered.
2. When Applicants complete the appropriate paperwork, then they will participate in the Civil Service Examination. This examination will be posted in accordance with Civil Service Law and Rules and will e available to those applying. Applicants must pass the exam with a score of at least 70% to proceed through the remainder of the process. Applicants with appropriate military experience will have additional “Veteran’s Points” added to their overall score in accordance with Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code. Once any applicable points are added, applicants will then be placed on a list for consideration. Placement on this list does not guarantee the candidate employment with the City of Cedar Park Police Department.
3. Candidates will then participate in and must pass the video based BPAD (Behavioral Personnel Assessment Device) situational reasoning testing.
4. Candidates who successfully pass the BPAD will then be provided with a Background Investigation packet. Candidates will be required to complete this packet and return it will all requested documentation. Incomplete packets or failing to return requested documentation will not allow a full and complete background to be conducted. Applicants who fail to provide the necessary information to complete the background portion of the process will be disqualified from further consideration in the process.
5. When the Background Investigation is complete, those candidates who passed their background check will then appear before an Interview Board. The Board will consist of members of the Police Department and possibly members of the community. Candidates will be asked questions about their background, skills and training, and should be prepared to answer some situational questions structured around the Cedar Park Police Department Core Values and Mission Statement. Applicants must pass this portion of the process before proceeding through the remainder of the process.
6. Those candidates, who successfully complete the preceding portions of the process, will then be interviewed by a Chief’s Board of Review. The Board of Review is a group of police personnel designated by the Chief of Police to conduct an interview. After this interview, the Chief of Police will determine whether to extend a conditional offer of employment to the applicant or pass over the candidate at that time.
7. Entry level officer candidates who are given a “conditional offer of employment” must then pass a “post job offer” psychological examination and medical examination that includes passing a visual acuity test, and physician certification that the applicant is not dependent on and does not use illegal drugs. A candidate must pass all examinations to be considered for employment, this in accordance with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education and Civil Service Rules.
8. The Chief of Police reserves the right to offer or rescind any offer of employment. If candidates are given and accept a full offer of employment, they will remain on probationary status for one year from their date of hire. Probationary officers will not be covered by Civil Service until this 1-year probation is over. Probationary officers must complete a Field Training Program. Officers who cannot complete this program may be discharged from employment depending on the circumstances surrounding their inability to complete the training.
9. Applicants must have passed the State Licensing Exam as administered by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) at the time of appointment as scheduled by the Chief of Police.
Professional Standards Contacts
Cedar Park Police Department
Professional Standards Division
911 Quest Parkway
Cedar Park, Texas 78613
Main Station Number: (512) 260-4600
Sergeant Cathy Bustos
(512) 260-4756
cathy.bustos@cedarparktx.us
Investigator William "Conrad" Mauer
(512) 260-4856
william.mauer@cedarparktx.us
Investigator Scott Linnborn
(512) 260-4788
scott.linnborn@cedarparktx.us