Applications for employment with the Mesquite Police Department are processed in accordance with provisions of the State of Texas Firefighter’s and Police Officer’s Civil Service Act, Chapter 143 and the City of Mesquite Firefighter’s and Police Officer’s Civil Service Program.
All individuals seeking employment as a police officer will undergo the following:
Open, competitive and free Civil Service Examination
(Must score 70 or better, candidates ranked by exam score)
Physical agility course
Polygraph examination
Oral interview board
Extensive background investigation
Psychological examination
Medical examination
*New police officers will be subject to an 18-month probationary period.
Requirements
Age: Candidates must be not less than 21 years of age nor more than 44 years of age.
Vision: At least 20/70 uncorrected in each eye, correctable to 20/20 in each eye, with no color blindness.
Hearing: Candidate may not be certified as eligible if audiometric testing shows average hearing loss in their unaided better ear greater than 40 decibels (dB) at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz when the audiometric device is calibrated to ANSI Z24.5
Education: Candidates must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours of college credit from an accredited college or university*
- developmental/remedial courses not accepted
- grades lower than "C" not accepted
- Letter grade of "P" will be accepted
U.S. Citizen (under the provisions of State Civil Service Law)
Patrol and/or investigative experience as a full-time commissioned police officer or active military duty will be accepted in lieu of college according to the following schedule:
-2 years patrol and/or investigative experience – Must have graduated high school (G.E.D. not acceptable)
-1 year patrol and/or investigative experience – Must have graduated High school (G.E.D. not acceptable) AND 15 semester hours from accredited college or university* (developmental/remedial courses not accepted; grades lower than “C” not accepted).
-2 years active military experience with an “Honorable Discharge.” No other discharge characterization will be accepted.
Must have graduated high school (G.E.D. not acceptable)
Salary
Starting Salary: $51,060
After 1 year: $53,616
After 2 years: $56,292
After 3 years: $59,112
After 4 years: $62,064
After 5 years: $65,172
Benefits
Life Insurance: 2 x annual salary
Three Medical Insurance Plans: HRA OAP, Basic OAP and HMO through CIGNA HealthCare.
Dental: Coverage available at group rates
Vacation: 15 days per year (20 days after 15 years of service, 25 days after 25 years of service)
Sick Leave: 15 days per year, may be accumulated without limit (with payment upon termination for up to 90 days of unused sick leave)
Holidays: 9 days per year and 1 floating holiday.
Retirement: Texas Municipal Retirement System and Social Security
Uniforms and Equipment: Furnished by the department; uniforms cleaned at the department's expense.
*All exams will begin at 8:30am. Please bring your valid driver’s license to the test. The physical agility test will take place at the Mesquite Police Department Firing Range in the afternoon (weather permitting) for all applicants who pass the written exam.
Deadline:All required documents must be received by the City of Mesquite Human Resources Department by 5:00pm on the deadline to reserve a seat for the test. It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit a complete application packet including required documents on or before the deadline date. Incomplete packets will not be accepted.
Directions to Mesquite Arts Center (1527 N. Galloway Ave.) (Friday Exams):
Exit I-635 onto U.S. Hwy. 80 East (Terrell exit), take the first exit off of Hwy. 80 (Galloway Ave.) Turn right (south) on Galloway and go to the third traffic light. Turn right at the traffic light (Range Rd.) into the parking lot.
Directions to Lakeside Activity Center (101 Holley Park Drive) (Saturday Exams):
Exit I-635 onto U.S. Hwy. 80 East (Terrell exit), take the first exit off of Hwy. 80 (Galloway Ave.). Turn right (south) on Galloway. Continue on Galloway approximately 2 miles. Turn right on Gross Street. The Lakeside Activity Center will be on the corner of Gross Street and Holley Park Drive. Additional parking is allowed on the grass behind the center. Do not park at businesses across from Gross Street.
Required Paperwork
High School Transcript or GED (original or certified copy)
College Transcripts (originals or certified copies) - An accredited institution of higher education that is accredited by one of the following agencies:
- Southern Association of College Schools
- Middle States Association of College Schools
- New England Association of College Schools
- North Central Association of College Schools
- Northwest Association of College Schools
- Western Association of College Schools
Birth Certificate (original or certified copy)
Marriage license or licenses (original, if applicable)
Divorce decree or decrees (original, if applicable)
FORM DD-214 - Military Separation Report (original, if applicable)
Certificates of Police Training (if applicable)
Personal History Questionnaire (found in packet)
Recent full-face photograph (attached to last page of Personal History Questionnaire)
