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 dependant 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 can not 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 Commisision on Officer Standards and Education at the time of appointment as scheduled by the Chief of Police.