Police Cadets

Police cadets attend the 28-week University of Texas System Police Academy, which combines fitness, academics, and tactical training to develop the skills needed to serve the UT Austin campus community. Cadets are employed and paid while attending the academy, gaining hands-on law enforcement experience and mentorship. No prior law enforcement experience is required.

For detailed information about the Police Cadet selection process, see the Cadet Applicant Selection (PDF).

Starting Salary:

Cadets — $52,500/year

First-Year Officer — $68,626/year

TCOLE Commissioned Police Officer — $68,626 plus one year of service credit for every four years of prior law enforcement experience.

Certificate Pay:

• Intermediate Peace Officer Pay: $600 annually
• Advanced Peace Officer Pay: $1,200 annually
• Master Peace Officer Pay: $1,800 annually

Degree Pay:

• Associate Degree: $600 annually
• Bachelor’s Degree: $1,200 annually
• Master’s Degree: $1,800 annually

Other Supplemental Pay:

• Field Training Officer (FTO): up to $400/month while actively training a PPO
• Shift Differential: $175/month for Evening Shift, $275/month for Night Shift
• Bilingual (Spanish/English): $75/month
• Hazardous Duty Pay (if applicable)

Education Requirements

• Cadet Position: High school diploma or GED
• Police Officer Position: High school diploma or GED and possess a TCOLE Peace Officer License; if you were not commissioned in Texas, you will need to be licensed with TCOLE
• Preferred: 60 college hours from an accredited college or university

Health and Physical Requirements

• Age 21 on commission date
• Vision correctable to 20/30; uncorrected cannot be greater than 20/200
• Able to hear conversation from at least 15 feet
• Able to pass the physical fitness test including weight lift, stair climb, and obstacle course

See the Physical Agility Test description (DOCX) from UT System for details.

Additional Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• No felony convictions
• No DWI or DUI convictions within the past 10 years
• No Class B misdemeanor convictions within the past 10 years
• Not currently on probation for any criminal offense above a Class C misdemeanor
• No convictions, court-ordered community supervision, or probation for any Class B or above criminal offense
• Acceptable driving record and eligible to operate a university-owned vehicle in accordance with UTS 157 

Ineligibility

• Currently charged with or under indictment for any criminal offense
• Any convictions for family violence offense
• Prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition
• Had a TCOLE license denied by final order or revoked; had a voluntary surrender of a TCOLE license currently in effect; or have not violated any TCOLE rules or provisions of the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1701
• Terminated, asked to resign, or resigned from any previous employment for engaging in inappropriate or unlawful behavior, including but not limited to:
  • Separated from any law enforcement commission/position, recruit position, or other law enforcement role due to termination for excessive or serious disciplinary reasons
  • Resignation to avoid suspension or termination
  • Resignation during a disciplinary investigation that did not reach a final disposition
  • Termination for untruthfulness
  • Termination for insubordination
• Illegally sold, produced, cultivated or transported marijuana or any other substance or drugs listed in the federal or Texas Controlled Substances Acts
• Used marijuana anytime in the past 36 months preceding application date
• Habitually used marijuana during the five years preceding application date
• Used amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine, opium, barbiturates, heroin, morphine, ecstasy, Eve, anabolic steroids, LSD, PCP, or psilocybin within the past five years
• For other possible drug disqualifiers, contact UTPD Recruiting

Employment requirements are available from UT System.

The selection process consists of multiple phases to ensure candidates are qualified:

• Phase 1 — Application submission and resumé posting on UT Austin Job Search.
• Phase 2 — Written examination (Cadet applicants only) and physical fitness test. Firearm qualification for TCOLE Commissioned Officers.
• Phase 3 — Oral Interview Board
• Phase 4 — Police Application Packet: Personal History Statement, Pre-Employment Polygraph Questionnaire, Conditional Offer of Employment.
• Phase 5 — Background Investigation
• Phase 6 — Polygraph Examination (if applicable)
• Phase 7 — Medical Test and Drug Screen, including extended physical and vision examination.
• Phase 8 — Psychological Exam (if applicable)

The University of Texas at Austin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran's status, or sexual orientation. This is not a contract expressed or implied. Benefits subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for errors or changes.

For recruiting questions, call (512) 232-9655 or email joinutpd@austin.utexas.edu.

We accept applications only for positions that are currently open. Please check current job postings before applying.