Lateral Transfer Police Officer

Lateral Transfer Police Officer

Salary

See Position Description

Location

Waco, TX

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-01160

Department

POLICE

Division

POLICE SERV CHIEFS OFF

Opening Date

05/18/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Summary

Starting Pay: $40.6085 per hour up to $48.4957 per hour

To be considered, you must hold a valid TCOLE License as a Peace Officer

Summary:

Under basic supervision, patrols, investigates, responds to calls for service, enforces laws, prevents crimes and assists the general public for the Waco Police Department (WPD); conducts surveillance, monitors traffic, arrests suspect and maintains order in the City.

To qualify as an applicant for a Lateral Transfer Police Officer position with the City of Waco Police Department, the applicant must meet all requirements of the Waco Local Rules and Waco Meet & Confer Agreement:

Lateral Positions (2-years or more experience) with the Waco Police Department

Have served as a commissioned Peace Officer as that term is defined by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure §2.12 continuously for the 12-month period immediately prior to making application with the WPD, and

a) Left the last position as a commissioned Peace Officer in good standing.

b) Hold an active TCOLE certification at the time of applying with the WPD.

b. Applicants who qualify for a lateral position in are not required to take the WPD eligibility exam.

c. Applicants who qualify for a lateral position may be hired as a beginning officer at the pay step most closely equivalent to their qualifying law enforcement experience up to and including the 10-year pay step as a Police Officer, but do not begin employment with WPD with seniority or longevity based on any previous law enforcement experience.

THE CITY OF WACO SEEKS:

Are you looking to serve your community, make a difference in people's lives, and build camaraderie with your coworkers? Waco Police Department is accepting applications for experienced Police Officers to join the WPD family. Apply with the WPD today!

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent and
• Successful completion of Police Academy training.
• Two (2) years continuous experience as a paid full-time police officer.
• Must be a United States Citizen.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required:

• Valid Texas Drivers License
• Peace Officer's License
• Certification from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)

Additional Information:

• After Human Resources review your application, you will receive an e-mail with additional requirements to complete the Police Officer process.
• Documents MUST be submitted within 90 days of your initial preliminary application. Failure to complete the additional requirements within 90 days will result in removal from the application process.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Under basic supervision, patrols, investigates, responds to calls for service, enforces laws, prevents crimes and assists the general public for the Waco Police Department (WPD); conducts surveillance, monitors traffic, arrests suspect and maintains order in the City.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

• Enforces state and federal laws and City regulations; identifies, prevents, and terminates unlawful activities using experience and technical training; identifies, pursues and arrests suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts; duties will vary according to job assignment.
• Performs work according to WPD policies to enforce laws, preserve peace, maintain order, solve problems, respond to requests for service and promote crime prevention through community policing.
• Consistently applies WPD regulations and procedures and provides professional police services.
• Responds to incidents, accidents and calls for service; initiates basic investigations and coordinates responses with regional law enforcement and emergency services agencies.
• Patrols City to preserve the peace, enforce the law, control vehicular traffic and prevent and detect misconduct, misdemeanors, felonies and other law violation; intervenes to ensure the safety of residents in mental health crisis; investigates and renders assistance at crime and accident scenes; serves and protects

the community.

• Preserves the peace of the community through mediation, investigation, intervention, assistance and arrest; utilizes all lawful means to improve the quality of life by recognizing and resolving problems.
• Works with citizens to address the issues of safety, crime, and neighborhood disorder.
• Conducts security checks, responds to citizen complaints and treats residents with courtesy and respect.
• Performs crime investigation and analysis; secures crime scenes and interviews and interrogates suspects and witnesses; preserves, analyzes and evaluates evidence; takes measurements and draws diagrams of crime and accident scenes; searches scene of crimes for clues; arrests persons involved in crimes and

misconduct; prepares cases for court proceedings and testifies in court.

• Performs specialized functions in areas of expertise, including general and specialized training, K-9, SWAT, community outreach, crime prevention, event security, warrant service, computer systems, armory and other special enforcement, assessment, surveillance, intervention, investigative and inter-agency teams.
• Cross-trains in a wide variety of law enforcement skills and disciplines.
• Prepares accurate and detailed reports and required paperwork.
• Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values and goals of the Police Department by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
• Able to testify in court proceedings.
• Must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet Department standards.
• May be required to respond on off days or non-scheduled holidays, in the event of a departmental or Citywide emergency.
• Operates department vehicles to patrol the City for criminal activity, suspicious behavior, and safety hazards; respond to emergency calls related to crimes in progress, traffic accidents, medical emergencies, and dangerous situations; enforce traffic laws; and transport individuals to appropriate facilities.

The City of Waco offers a complete benefits package for eligible employees including; health, dental, vision, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Accounts, life insurance, long term and short term disability, retirement, deferred compensation plans, holidays, vacation, sick leave, credit union and savings bonds.

To learn more about the benefits offered, visit our Benefits page.

Why Work For Waco:

• Meaningful and challenging work

• Make a difference and improve communities

• Competitive Salary and Benefits

• Full Range of Benefits, including Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance

• Mandatory TMRS Retirement Plan with a 2:1 City Match

• Education Assistance Program

• Paid Parental Leave

• Employee Assistance

• Longevity Pay

• And More!

• Chance to do work you are passionate about

• Desire to give back

01

Do you have a Valid Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a High School Diploma or GED equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03

Are currently certified as a TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) Peace Officer?

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered yes to the previous question, how many years of prior experience do you have as a TCOLE certified police officer?

• Less than 2 years
• More than 2 years but less than 5 years
• More than 5 years, but less than 8 years
• More than 8 years but less than 15 years
• More than 15 years

05

Please provide your Date of Birth in the following format (MM/DD/YYYY).

06

Gender

• Male
• Female
• Other/Unidentified

07

Race, please check one:

• American Indian / Alaskan Native
• Asian
• Black / African American
• Hispanic
• Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
• Other / Unknown
• Two or more Races
• White

08

How did you hear about us?

• City of Waco Employee
• City of Waco Website
• Facebook
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Other
• Other Social Media
• Texas Municipal League

09

Were you referred by a City of Waco Employee? If so, please list the employees full name below. PLEASE ONLY LIST ONE CITY OF WACO EMPLOYEE NAME.

Required Question

Employer City of Waco

Address PO Box 2570

Waco, Texas, 76702

Phone 2547505740

Website https://www.waco-texas.com/jobs