Join Our Team

Age

Be at least 21 years of age at the time of the examination.

Background Questionnaire

Applicant must complete a personal history statement (PHS) and pass a comprehensive background investigation.

Credit History

Applicant must have a stable credit history and not be delinquent in any just financial obligation.

Criminal Convictions

Applicant:

• Has never been nor currently on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years
• Is not currently under indictment for any criminal offense
• Has never been convicted of an offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years
• Has never been convicted of any family violence offense
• Is not prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle
• Is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition

Driver's License

At the time of appointment, applicant must possess a valid Texas driver's license.

Education

By the date of the examination, applicants must have a high school diploma from an accredited high school or a GED, and meet one of the following criteria:

• Provide transcripts reflecting a minimum of 30 semester hours from an accredited institution of higher education with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Hold a Basic Peace Officer Certification issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
• Currently enrolled in an accredited police academy

Military Service

• If the applicant has prior military service, they must have an honorable discharge. Dishonorable, Bad Conduct, or Other than Honorable discharges from the Armed Forces of the United States and convictions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) are cause for disqualification.
• Must provide a copy of Member 4 DD 214 of an honorable discharge at the testing site in order to be awarded veterans bonus points on the written exam. No photocopies will be made on-site, and electronic submissions are not accepted.

Moral Character

• Must be of good moral character and be considered a person of good reputation and good standing in the community
• Must not be addicted to the habitual use of intoxicating beverages
• Must not currently use illegal drugs
• Must not have previously used illegal drugs or committed theft in violation of the West University Place Police Department guidelines
• Must not make a false statement, whether written or oral, of a material fact, or cheat or practice any deception or fraud in connection with any portion of the testing, application, background investigation, hiring, or appointment process

Physical Ability 

• Must have normal hearing without mechanical devices
• Must have vision not over 20/200 uncorrected in either eye and vision may be correctable to 20/30 with corrective lenses
• Must have normal color vision without corrective lenses
• Must be able to pass a physician's physical and drug test

Polygraph

Applicant must submit to and pass a polygraph exam.

Previous Background Investigations

Applicant must not have been rejected for failing any portion of the West University Place Police background process within the 12 month period previous to the written exam.

Previous Public Service

Applicant must not have been dismissed from public service for good cause.

Psychological Health

Applicant must be examined by a licensed psychologist, selected by the West University Place Police Department, and declared in writing to be in satisfactory psychological and emotional health to serve as a peace officer.

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement

(Applicable only to individuals formerly or currently licensed by the commission)

• Not have a commission license denied by final order, revoked, currently on suspension for a criminal violation, or have a voluntary surrender of license for a criminal violation, or have a voluntary surrender of license for each license currently in effect.
• Not violate any commission rule or provision of Occupations Code, Chapter 1701
• A candidate shall be rejected for employment if the candidate is ineligible for licensing under current TCOLE minimum eligibility standards.

Traffic Convictions

Applicant must not have more than two moving traffic violation convictions within the 12-month period preceding the date of the written test. Overall driving records must be indicative of safe driving habits.

United States Citizenship

At the time of appointment, the applicant must be a citizen of the United States.

Written Exam

Applicants must pass all phases of the written test with a minimum score of 70%

Selection Process

The selection process is thorough and may take several weeks. All applicants must successfully pass each of the following phases in order to qualify for a position:

• Applicants meet all West University Place eligibility requirements
• Applicants take and pass the written portion of the Police Officer Entrance Exam  
• Pass the Physical Agility Test (1 Mile Run in 11:40 minutes or less. Plus, a 500 Meter Row in 2:27 minutes or less for females and 2:08 or less for males)
• Applicants are interviewed by an oral review board
• A background investigation is conducted
• A polygraph examination is administered
• A medical examination and drug testing is done
• A psychological test and evaluation is performed
• The applicant is hired

• Meet all Eligibility Requirements.
• Pass the Police Officer Entrance Exam 
• Pass the Physical Agility Test (1 Mile Run in 11:40 minutes or less. Plus, a 500 Meter Row in 2:27 minutes or less for females and 2:08 or less for males)
• Complete and turn in the Personal History Statement packet.
• Pass Oral Review Board.
• Pass a comprehensive Background Investigation.
• Pass Polygraph Exam, 
• Pass Psychological Test and Evaluation. 
• Pass Medical Exam and Drug test.
• Receive an Official Offer of Employment. 
• Certified applicants will enter the Field Training Program.  
• Non-certified applicants are sent to a local Police Academy.  The Academy will be chosen and paid for by the Department. The non-certified applicants will be paid the cadet pay rate while they attend the Academy. After graduation, cadets will enter the Field Training Program. 

Competitive Pay

1. Hourly rates are based on a 20/80-hour schedule and does not include overtime. Refer to the Step Pay Chart below.
2. Incentive Pay to include Education, Certification, and Bilingual Pay 
3. Longevity Pay

Paid Time Off:

1. 10 Holidays (working on a holiday paid at time and one half)
2. Vacation:
   • 80 hours per year (less than five years of experience)
   • 120 hours per year (5-11 years of experience)
   • 160 hours per year (12-20 years of experience)
   • 200 hours per year (20+ years of experience)
   • Will consider prior government experience towards accrual rates
3. Sick: 120 hours per year (no limit on accrual)
4. Personal Leave: 32 hours per year (8 per quarter); City pays employees in December for unused personal leave remaining
5. Dependent Care Leave: 10 days for the birth or adoption of a child, or other related issue
6. Leave also available for Worker’s Compensation, Training, Jury Duty, and Funeral Leave

Retirement:

1. Texas Municipal Retirement System:
   • 7% Employee Contribution
   • 2:1 City Match
   • 5 years vesting, 20 years of service retirement
2. Social Security: The City of West University Place participates in Social Security
3. Mission Square: Voluntary deferred compensation through a 457 plan and Roth IRA options

Life Insurance

1. City provides $120,000 of Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment to Police Officers for free

 Disability Insurance:

1. Short Term Disability: 67% salary continuation after 30 days of incapacity; provided for free to employees
2. Long Term Disability: 60% salary continuation after 90 days of incapacity; provided for free to employees

 Tuition Reimbursement:

Up to $5000 annually to reimburse for tuition and fees related to educational expenses incurred pursuing a degree related to career

 Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

 Provided to employees and their families to handle a wide variety of personal and life-related issues, free of charge

 Health Insurance (3 Options):

1. PPO Plan: $1,000 Individual Deductible
   • Employee Only: $96.60 per month; Dependent rates available
2. HSA (High Deductible Health Plan): $3,500 Individual Deductible
   • Employee Only: $31.04 per month; Dependent rates available
   • City provided HSA Contribution $1500 annually
3. HMO (Kelsey-Seybold Narrow network): $1,000 Deductible
   • Employee Only: $0 per month; Dependent rates available

 Dental Insurance (3 Options):

1. Low MAC (Maximum Allowable Cost) Plan
   • Employee Only and Dependent Coverage: $0
2. High MAC (Maximum Allowable Cost) Plan
   • Employee Only: $0 per month; Dependent rates available
3. PPO U&C (Usual and Customary) Plan
   • Employee Only: $3.22 per month; Dependent rates available

 Vision Insurance: 

Employee Only: $6.34 per month; Dependent rates available

TCOLE Certification Pay

• Intermediate Certificate - $100 monthly
• Advanced Certificate - $150 monthly
• Master Certificate - $200 monthly

Lateral Pay Structure:

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum three years of continuous full-time service as a certified peace officer.
• Experience must be with a comparable law enforcement agency (in-state or out-of-state), subject to approval.
• Must have held authority to enforce laws, investigate crimes, make arrests, respond to calls, carry a firearm, and use discretion.
• No more than a three-year break in service before applying.
• Only complete years of experience count toward step pay:

3 years = $78,861.78

4 years = $81,227.64

5+ years = $83,664.47

 Seniority & Pay Considerations:

• Lateral entry applies to pay only—not promotions, seniority, leave, or transfers.
• Departmental seniority starts on the hire date with WUPD.
• Out-of-state applicants must pass TCOLE certification before taking the entrance exam.

Step Pay Program- Officers

Step Pay Program- Sergeant

Step Pay Program-Lieutenant

Non- Certified