Possible move to TX

[Tre14]

Im a cop with a 1 1/2 years experience in Ca and was considering a move to the state of Texas. I was wondering if anyone was familar with this procees and how to go about. Im am wanting to avoid going to another police academy i already spent 26 weeks in one here. Is there a challenge process and if so what departmentswould be decent department to work for? I was wondering about the Dallas/ Fort Wort metroplex but i am open to any suggestions, In case you might be wondering why i am considering a move, Median home price hit $390 k and we top out at about $60 k a year w/o OT. Unless you want to spend 3-4 hours everyday commuting into a higher paying area, I don't. Im also open to other states, just doing some investigative work know so anyone that thinks they have it good please put in your 2 cents. Thanks for any help anyone can give.

[irishlad2nv]

Im a cop with a 1 1/2 years experience in Ca and was considering a move to the state of Texas. I was wondering if anyone was familar with this procees and how to go about. Im am wanting to avoid going to another police academy i already spent 26 weeks in one here. Is there a challenge process and if so what departmentswould be decent department to work for? I was wondering about the Dallas/ Fort Wort metroplex but i am open to any suggestions, In case you might be wondering why i am considering a move, Median home price hit $390 k and we top out at about $60 k a year w/o OT. Unless you want to spend 3-4 hours everyday commuting into a higher paying area, I don't. Im also open to other states, just doing some investigative work know so anyone that thinks they have it good please put in your 2 cents. Thanks for any help anyone can give.
You can contact TCLEOSE to challenge the test, but still may have to attend an academy, espeically if you are looking at Dallas, it will be a 16 week academy instead of their 32, but I would call their recruiting, actually call any Departments Recruiting for information.

[CountyLaw]

I would really consider Austin PD. I recently looked at www.policepay.net and noticed that they were number 1 on the list of all police agencies nationwide in reference to cost of living and pay index. Anyway you can find Austin PD online at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/police/recruiting/

Anyway the rest of the list is as follows:

1. Austin, Texas
2. North Las Vegas, Nevada
3. Omaha, Nebraska
4. Pomona, California
5. Warren, Michigan
6. Ann Arbor, Michigan
7. Peoria, Illinois
8. Stockton, California
9. Plano, Texas
10. Henderson, Nevada

[pkagel]

Frisco just got a raise and is getting paid very well.

[txnarc]

Tre, Yes, you can challenge the state licensing exam. Try TCLEOSE on the web. I am a Narc employed by the state and live just outside Houston. The greater Houston area has some 70+ police agencies. Houston PD is offering some really strong incentives right now and they have a modified 12 week academy for laterals. Be aware that housing is expensive on the South and West sides of town but the East/Northeast sides of town are still very rural and you can be in downtown Houston in under 45 minutes. Hope this helps. :)

[TPO]

i'd say there are quite literally, more than 150 law enforcement agencies in the DFW metroplex. take your pick.

[Tre14]

Thanks for the good info very much appreciated.

[pkagel]

If you want to knock out 3 departments with one shot, Hurst, Euless and North Richlandhills do their testing together. http://www.pacttest.com/

[jcmzhou]

i would suggest houston, they are down on the list as far as starting base pay, but probably 1st after you add the incentives.....we pay 1/2 of what Dallas pays for insurance, starting out is in mid 30's, but after you add weekend pay, shift pay, certificate pay, clothing allowance, degree pay, you can easily add $7000 -$12000 to your base pay, plus you walk in with 2 wks vacation, quickly moves up to three, plus you get extra 20 days off for fitness , that's six weeks off

plus houston is behind dallas/ft. worth/arlington, austin in cost of living

houston is also have several academies this year, a lateral in march

[edg103]

Here's a direct link to what you're looking for: http://www.tcleose.state.tx.us/Public%20Notice/eligwarning.htm Go to the bottom and click eith thw "word" link or the "PDF" link, should answer all of your questions. Hope it helps. Good luck.

[Bigg Dogg]

I just did what you are wanting to do this past summer.I moved from Oklahoma.You have to send a Application to TCLEOSE and $150.00.once they accept yuo for testing,you come to Texas and take the test at one of the testing locations.I recommend coming to Austin and testing at TCLEOSE headquarters.The test is on a computer and you know your results as soon as you are done with the test.You have 3 shots at the test.If yo fail all 3 you are required to go through a complete academy in Texas,but as stated,if you get on at DAllas or another agency that has their own academy,you will have to go through the academy anyways.
Once you past the exam with a 70 or better,you have 2 years to get hired on at a agency then it takes about 2 weeks to get your certification in.So it means 2 weeks of desk time or FTO timw without a weapon until the cert comes in.

For the exam,study the penal code real well,and the code of criminal procedure.Alot of traffic also.

[Bigg Dogg]

Also,I would recommend the Austin area also.Rapid growth and good pay.

[Tre14]

You all haved been a great help, making life just a little easier for me, Thanks Again.

[CrymsinSky]

In studying for the state test, you might consider getting law guides from this company (www.pocketpressinc.com). It condenses all the laws a street cop would use and is what I used in the academy versus lugging the huge book around with 75% of which I wasn't going to use. They're relatively cheap too...get the Penal and Traffic books, if you decide to.

[Tre14]

Ive contacted several departments in the Dallas/Fort Wort and Austin Areas and am having a tough time finding departments that will except the challenge. Most seem to want all to attend there police academies, In whole. Any suggestions on specific agencies that would accept the challenge, Anywhere in the state.

[edg103]

Dogg: You get 3 chances to challenge? TCLEOSE must have changed the rules, you used to only get one chance on an out of state challenge.

[RedRaider911]

I know that Lubbock PD is hiring around 45 officers at the moment. I don't know though what the lateral is like for them. And you would have to go to academy again. As far as starting pay goes it is one of the highest in the state, and the cost of living out here is dirt cheap.

[Lynn731]

I'm freezing my *** off up here in kansas and i am gonna move to east texas this summer. i grew up in dallas, but it has so changed. i wouldn't want to live there, much less work there. but then, i'm already retired anyway. I would check Tyler or Longview in east Texas, which is the prettiest part of the state I think. good luck

[ericsoxs]

Dallas PD has a lateral transfer option. You still have to go through their academy, but it is something like 12 weeks. Look on their web site or call a recruiter

[airbrne74]

Does anyone know if Austin or San Antonio have a lateral academy?

Also, I have a degree in Criminal Justice from one of the Central Texas College sub-schools in Virginia. They awarded me 20 credits towards my degree because I am certified Police Officer in VA. There were four classes: Basic Peace Officer I through IV worth 5 credits each. It supposed to count towards some of the TCLEOSE requirements but I am not sure how. Does anyone have any idea how that works?

[irishlad2nv]

I do not think either of them do, however I would contact their Recruitment. Thats always your safest bet anywhere! However for Austin, if you have been in LE for at least 2 yrs you will meet their minimum Requirements...your college you need 30 Credtis.

[CountyLaw]

Austin PD does not have a lateral program. I sent their recruiting division an email a couple of weeks ago requesting information about it. The response I received was that they do not offer this, however, even if you had to go through their entire academy their starting pay is higher than most agencies top out pay.

[edg103]

Does anyone know if Austin or San Antonio have a lateral academy?

Also, I have a degree in Criminal Justice from one of the Central Texas College sub-schools in Virginia. They awarded me 20 credits towards my degree because I am certified Police Officer in VA. There were four classes: Basic Peace Officer I through IV worth 5 credits each. It supposed to count towards some of the TCLEOSE requirements but I am not sure how. Does anyone have any idea how that works?
I posted a TCLEOSE link earlier in this thread (#10 I think). That should answer any questions you may have.

[jj0071]

We don't do laterals. You would have to go through the academy all over again.

[Tre14]

Does anyone know what the reasoning is behind so many departments in Texas not accepting laterals? I have a tough time believing that being cop from department to department within the state could be so diffrent as to require a person to complete another academy. Laterals in Ca are a much easier process. Ussually you go through a orientation presentation from the department you are now employed and then FTO until you prove you can perform solo. It's mostly learning there departments policy. Just seems odd to me.

[irishlad2nv]

Does anyone know what the reasoning is behind so many departments in Texas not accepting laterals? I have a tough time believing that being cop from department to department within the state could be so diffrent as to require a person to complete another academy. Laterals in Ca are a much easier process. Ussually you go through a orientation presentation from the department you are now employed and then FTO until you prove you can perform solo. It's mostly learning there departments policy. Just seems odd to me.
Do you want the job or not? If so, you will suck it up and go through an Academy. I have gone through 3 different Academies and haven't complained once...got a paycheck each time too...

[Bigg Dogg]

Dogg: You get 3 chances to challenge? TCLEOSE must have changed the rules, you used to only get one chance on an out of state challenge.


Yep,3 tries.I failed my first try.Waited a day,studied for 2 nights then took it again and passed it.Now here I is!!LOL!!

[edg103]

Does anyone know what the reasoning is behind so many departments in Texas not accepting laterals? I have a tough time believing that being cop from department to department within the state could be so diffrent as to require a person to complete another academy. Laterals in Ca are a much easier process. Ussually you go through a orientation presentation from the department you are now employed and then FTO until you prove you can perform solo. It's mostly learning there departments policy. Just seems odd to me.
You may be confusing department to department from state to state. Alot of departments in Texas don't lateral from other states but do a "modified lateral" if you're TCLEOSE certified. Others don't care if you're certified or not, just the way it is here.

[halonfromcpanp1]

I know that Lubbock PD is hiring around 45 officers at the moment. I don't know though what the lateral is like for them. And you would have to go to academy again. As far as starting pay goes it is one of the highest in the state, and the cost of living out here is dirt cheap.

The only problem with Lubbock, is there are abunch of sheep, flat land, and everyone wears TT on their shirts!!

[Rizko]

You challenge the test and have a high school diploma, we will take you. I think we are hiring about 9 from the test in april.

http://www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=2208

If you don't mind being around a lot of Aggies that is......

[edg103]

If you don't mind being around a lot of Aggies that is......
Now let's not go around threatening people :p

[towncop]

Do you want the job or not? If so, you will suck it up and go through an Academy. I have gone through 3 different Academies and haven't complained once...got a paycheck each time too...

Well, I for one will say, that I think we're all impressed with the fact that you went through THREE different academies, AND, on top of all that have not complained once. :) Good for you, way to go. The guy obviously wants the job or he wouldn't be asking questions. I wouldn't blame him, if you can avoid another academy, why not avoid it? :rolleyes:

[Tre14]

That was my my point ive been through a 6 month academy and Marine Corps boot camp, I would like to avoid that setting again if at all possible. Its not complaining its research. Its my career and i like to do research before I jump into something. If you were happy to go through three academies thats you not me. I want to be doing the job i feel ive already been trained to do. Thanks for the info from those that have been involved with replies meant to help, not cause problems i think we all get that enough of that crap at work we dont need it here. I came for help thats it if you cant help than please dont reply. i read alot of posts and if i dont have anything to add to help I dont post it. Thanks again for the help and i looked at the College Station web site. looks pretty good ill look into it some more.