TRANSITIONAL OFFICER PROGRAM
Police officer candidates with law enforcement experience may qualify to attend the shorter Transitional Officer Program in lieu of a Regular Academy class. The Transitional Officer Program is comprised of approximately 4 months of training, and those who qualify are provided additional compensation for having law enforcement experience. Review the Pay & Benefits page for a full pay scale. Upon graduation, newly appointed officers are placed into an 8 week Field Training Program with a certified Field Training Officer. After successful completion of the Field Training Program, the officer is assigned to a permanent patrol shift and will report to a Corporal and Sergeant. In addition to the minimum qualifications required of all police officer candidates which are listed on the Hiring Process portion of our website, applicants for the Transitional Officer Program must meet the following criteria:
* Actively employed with at least 3 years of active service as a licensed police officer for a municipal, county, and/or state law enforcement agency. School/university, Federal, and Military police experience will not qualify for the Transitional Officer Program.
* Must hold a current peace officer license from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). Out of state applicants without a TCOLE license must obtain their license at least two weeks prior to the start of the academy by following TCOLE established guidelines (see below).
Requirements for Out of State Transitional Officer Program Applicants:
All out of state applicants being considered for the Transitional Officer Program must complete the TCOLE Out of State Application process in conjunction with our own hiring process. Please note that our minimum qualification standards for years of service and type of agency are more stringent than that of TCOLE. You must meet our minimum qualifications and complete the TCOLE Out of State Application process to qualify for the Austin Police Department Transitional Officer Program. Please contact TCOLE at (512) 936-7700 to find out more information about what is required for their application. If you find that you are not eligible for the TCOLE Out of State Application process, then unfortunately you are not eligible for the Austin Police Department Transitional Officer Program. All out of state applicants must complete the entire TCOLE Out of State Application process, including passing the state licensing examination, at least two weeks prior to starting the Transitional Officer Program.
Incentive Pay
In addition to base salary, the Austin Police Department offers several forms of incentive pay for qualifying officers:
- Bilingual Pay $175/month
- Mental Health Officer (MHO) Pay $175/month
- Field Training Officer (FTO) Pay $175/month
- Education Incentive Pay
- Associate’s degree or 60 hours college credit $100/month
- Bachelor’s degree $220/month
- Master’s degree $300/month
- Certificate Pay $50 – $150/month depending on TCOLE Certificate level
- Shift Differential for evening or night shifts $300/month
- Longevity Pay $107 per year of service, up to a maximum of 25 years
- Cell Phone Allowance (Specialized Units Only) $16.16 biweekly
- Court Overtime
Whether you’re a patrol officer or a member of the SWAT team, community policing is an integral part of our organization. At APD, you’ll have a myriad of opportunities to connect with the community you serve.
Austin is one of the most exciting cities in America, with a wide range of outdoor activities and living amenities that provide for an excellent work-life balance.
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