Dallas Police Department

[MRG0901]

Hello, I recently passed all my oral, civil service, polygraph and so on with the Dallas Police Department. It's now up to the background investigation. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about DPD? I havn't heard much either way, and was wondring what some of the thoughts out there would be. The other options include Irving, Mesquite and Arligtion just to name a few. Let me know what your opinions.

[setexas]

Have a good friend at DPD. He has been there for about 8 years. He really likes it. Says it's a good group of guys. DPD recently had some problems with thier admin, but I hear it is better now.

Those other depts you menitoned are ok too.

[bhamlet08]

How long has the process taked thus far?

[MRG0901]

It took a weekend. They do testing once a month or so. Check on the website.

[Puffy6460]

MRG,

While it has been quite a few years since I was on the Dallas PD, not a whole lot has changed as I understand. It was then and continues to be a great Department to start out with and gain valuable experience and quality training.

That being said, I believe that it is not a Department that I would recommend as a career agency for many guys, due to the low pay, low morale, poor benefits, high turn-over rate, upper level political corruption and over all lack of job security. :eek:

On the plus side, it can be a great city to live in (so long as you

[pkagel]

They have weekend testing now and then, check their website. They have accelerated testing for out of state applicants every week. The website tells you everything you need to know about applying.

[NYPDjock]

How far in advance do you have to apply for the out of towner testing process?

On the website it says they are testing over the weekend next month and in March but doesn't say the cut off date to apply. Do you just show up?

How long does DPD's process usually take?

[pkagel]

Your good, just give them a call and set it up.

[NYPDjock]

Is it a live in academy?

How long is their hiring process when using the out of towner process(from start to finish)?

[pkagel]

They get all the interviews, poly, ect done in a week and then you wait. It is a regular academy, 8 months long, but a regular academy.

[JohnV]

I tested for DPD the weekend before last. I really enjoyed the process, they were very helpful and encouraging throughout everything. I passed my oral board that Sunday morning and I guess all that I have left is my background investigation now.

pkagel - do you work for DPD? If so, do you know what their take-home program is like? Do you have to live within Dallas city limits or can you live within 30 minutes of the station you report to like Ft. Worth?

[NYPDjock]

John, when did you register for the weekend process?

When did they say they would get back to you for Phase II?

I'm thinking of trying for Feb. or March but I'm not sure if there's enough time to register and couldn't get through on the recruitment number today.

[pkagel]

No, I don't work for DPD, I'm actually processing w/ a suburban agency right now N. of Dallas.

[icecoldblueyes]

pkagel - do you work for DPD? If so, do you know what their take-home program is like? Do you have to live within Dallas city limits or can you live within 30 minutes of the station you report to like Ft. Worth?

No take home cars for regular patrol (I believe only TAC & K9 have take home cars).

There aren't any residency requirements.

[JohnV]

John, when did you register for the weekend process?

When did they say they would get back to you for Phase II?

I'm thinking of trying for Feb. or March but I'm not sure if there's enough time to register and couldn't get through on the recruitment number today.

I called the week before (less than 7 days) the testing and left a message. Officer Ortega called me back w/i 24 hours and scheduled me for that weekend. You should be fine if you call now for February. Just make sure you have all your docs, Civil Service app, and personal history statement.

[JohnV]

No take home cars for regular patrol (I believe only TAC & K9 have take home cars).

There aren't any residency requirements.

To add to what Puffy said.... the pay is lower than the suburb departments, and the benefits do suck. Opinions on the new Chief are varied. Some people like him, some can't stand him. He has done some good things, but I don't see him backing the dept. and officers enough. A lot of people see the chief as a puppet for the mayor and city council...... and as long as we have those yahoos, things won't change. The queen....er,, mayor, has not made police or fire a priority. It's well known how much she does not like either. Hopefully she will be voted out next year! I think a lot of the problems are common in big city PD's.

That said... I will still stand behind the dept. I work with some excellent people, who despite all the crap do a damn good job. :)


It seems there are a lot more politics in larger cities and the Chiefs tend to have to cater to the needs/wants of the mayor and the city council. I'm sure it's that way in every town to some degree though.

When you say the benefits suck, what do you mean? Do you have to pay for insurance completely out of pocket? Is it crappy insurance that doesn't ever seem to cover anything?

And an off-topic Q - can you qualify with a Glock and carry that instead of a Sig?:D I'm kind of partial to Glocks (but the new S&W M&P looks nice too).

[pkagel]

You'll carry the Sig and you'll like it Mr. No choice for patrol. It is an awsome weapon and IMHO 100 times the weapon the Glock is.

[JohnV]

You'll carry the Sig and you'll like it Mr. No choice for patrol. It is an awsome weapon and IMHO 100 times the weapon the Glock is.

Don't get me wrong, I know they're great guns. My father carried one for the latter part of his career. I just prefer the plastic fantastic:D

Without getting too OT and into the physics of gun designs I'll just say that I prefer Glocks, 1911's, and other semi-autos that have a low bore axis in relation to your hand. This reduces muzzle flip and felt recoil making faster follow-up shots possible. Guns like Sigs and the Springfield XD's have a much higher bore axis than Glocks do.

[NYPDjock]

I called the week before (less than 7 days) the testing and left a message. Officer Ortega called me back w/i 24 hours and scheduled me for that weekend. You should be fine if you call now for February. Just make sure you have all your docs, Civil Service app, and personal history statement.

What's on the exam? Is there Math on it? If so, how much and what kind? Is the exam pass/fail? Is it scored or ranked in any way? Is it timed?

How long after phase I did you report for phase II?

What was the interview board like? Intense? Laid-back?

Thanks John!

[pkagel]

Yes their is math, no it's not hard, yes it is timed and yes, you will get your score. The interview is intense. The only laid back time in it is when they are introducing themselves and when they give you the news on whether you passed or failed.

[NYPDjock]

Is the Math word problems or is there a section on it? What grade level is it?

How long/how many questions are asked on the interview board?

Do they tell you if you've passed all stages of phase I before leaving?

Thanks P!

[icecoldblueyes]

JohnV.... sent you a PM.

NYPD.... yes they do tell you when you pass each test. Oh and like JohnV said... if you do come out for testing, make sure you have everything you need. They will send you home if you're missing anything.

Good luck you guys :)

[NYPDjock]

I didn't get any PMs. :confused:

Thanks for all the insight and input. You guys are very helpful!

[icecoldblueyes]

I didn't get any PMs. :confused:

Thanks for all the insight and input. You guys are very helpful!

I sent a PM to JohnV.... would you like one too? :p

Any other questions, feel free to ask or PM me.

[NYPDjock]

Thank you!