Learn Pay Scale & Starting Salary for Dallas PD Cops, Job Openings, Requirements and Qualifications
Table of Contents
Why Work For DPD?
Top 3 Reasons to Pursue a Law Enforcement
Career at Dallas PD
Diversity
Dallas Police is a good fit if diversity & inclusion is important to you. Looking at the rank and file at DPD it appears that minorities are treated equally & won't limit career progression. There seems to be a lot of emphasis with minority recruiting.
Salary
Dallas PD has one of the highest starting pay for new officers. There aren't many police agencies that have a starting pay of $61K annually. DPD is tops in Texas in term of pay for cops. if you tack on overtime pay, $100k isn't out of the question.
Career Advancement
One of the benefits of working for a large agency like DPD is the many career advancement opportunities available like SWAT, Detectives, aviation, Air Support, Crime Scene Investigator, Traffic, CSI, K-9, gang unit, mounted patrol & more
WATCH Pros and Cons Of Being A Police Officer
Dallas PD Police Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications
Note: DPD will require that you pass a comprehensive background check before becoming a police officer for their agency (no exception).
- Must be a United States citizen
- Must be between 19 1/2 - 44 years of age
- Must have a valid TX Driver's License
- Must Have high school diploma or GED
- Must Be free from convictions of disqualifying offenses
- Must Successfully pass the background check
- Must pass all stages of the hiring process
- Must be mentally and physically fit for the job
Disqualification Issues to be aware of:
Disqualifiers
- Must not be under criminal investigation
- Being dishonest during any phase of the hiring process
- dishonorable discharge from the military
- Must not have tattoos on head, scalp, face,
neck, hands, or fingers
- Convictions for Domestic Violence or public lewdness, indecent exposure or prostitution
- Failure to pass the drug screening process
- History of excessive illegal drug usage
- Any felony convictions or any disqualifying arrests
Hiring Process to become a cop for DPD:
Dallas Police Hiring Process
- Submit Application
- Physical Fitness Test
- Polygraph Test
- Written Examination
- Medical Evaluation
- Oral Interview
- Psychological Evaluation
- Drug Screening
Specialized Units at DPD
- Mounted Patrol
- Motorcycle Patrol
- Bomb Squad
- SWAT Team
- Air Support
- Accident Investigation
- Drug/Narcotic Unit
- Marine Unit
- Detectives
- Canine/K9 Unit
- Traffic Enforcement
- Patrol Unit
DPD Career Progression & Rank Structure
Chief of Police
Executive Assistant Chief
Assistant Chief
Deputy Chief
Major
Captain
Lieutenant
Sergeant
Senior Corporal
Patrolman
Police Officer
$ 1 - $81,983*
Pay Range
Senior Corporal
$ 1 - $89,350*
Pay Range
Sergeant
$ 1 - $98,626*
Pay Range
Lieutenant
$ 1 - $108,865*
Pay Range
- *salary does not reflect overtime pay, career promotion, longevity, shift premium, education or other incentives, etc.
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Steps to become a Cop for Dallas PD
Here’s the requirements and qualifications needed before you can apply:
To be considered for the Dallas Police Department, an applicant must:
- Be a U. S. citizen.
- Be19 ½ years of age (60hours from anaccredited college– minimum 2.0 GPA)orBe21 – 44 years of age (45hours from anaccredited college– minimum 2.0 GPA)
- Havea valid driver license.
- Must not have committed any felony or Class A Misdemeanor.
- Have no Class B Misdemeanor convictions within the last 10 years.
- All Categories
- College credit requirement will be waived if you have three (3) years of active military service and an honorable discharge, as stipulated on your DD-214.
- Physical Fitness
- No worse than 20/100 vision rating in either eye, correctable to 20/20.
- No pending traffic citations or court cases.
- Must not have been convicted of three (3) or more hazardous traffic violations in the last twenty-four (24) months. (Does not include “Deferred Ajudication” or “Driver’s Safety Course.”)Applicant Processing Steps
- Preliminary Interview—You will be asked about your driving history and any criminal record or illegal drug use. We will discuss with you any questions you may have regarding the application process, time required for training, etc.
- Applicant Interview Board—You will be given an oral interview before a board of police officers and supervisors, during which you will be interviewed on a variety of police and non-police topics.
- Polygraph Examination—Determines the validity of the answers given on previous questionnaires and interviews.
- Background Investigation—Checks your work record, your background and the opinions and statements of people you list as references. You must also complete a personal history statement provided by the Department.
- Psychological Examination—Includes a three-hour written exam and an interview with a psychologist.
- Medical Examination—Includes a physical exam and urinalysis.
Required Documents- Valid United States Driver’s License
- Social Security Card
- Birth Certificate (original or certified copy)
- (2) Official College Transcripts (if applicable)
- High School Transcripts (certified or official) or GED
- Marriage License (if applicable)
- Divorce Decree (if applicable)
- DD-214 (if applicable)
- City of Dallas Employment Application (Civil Service Application) available on-line
- Personal History Statement- available on-line
Average Salary, Pay Scale, And Benefits
On the date of hiring, you, your spouse and/or children will become eligible for one of the City of Dallas’ major medical insurance programs. The City also offers different supplemental dental and vision plans as well as non-city health HMO coverage plans.
Upon hiring, you are enrolled in the City of Dallas group life insurance program. You can choose fromtwo plans, Basic Life Insurance, paid by the City of Dallas andSupplemental Life Insurance at a reduced rate premium. Accidental death and dependant life insurance is also available at a reduced rate premium.
- Basic Life Insurance (no cost) $40,000 basic insurance policy
- Supplemental Life(contributory) Supplemental Life Insurance can be purchased for up to a maximum of $500,000.00 in age banded rates.
Retirement
Upon hiring, you will be enrolled in the Dallas Police and Fire Pension Fund.
- You will contribute 8.5% of your salary to the pension fund, while the City of Dallas contributes 27.5%.
- You become eligible for full retirement at age 50, with a minimum 5 years of service.
- The retirement plan pays up to96% of the average of your highest paid 36 months of salary.
- Outstanding Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP)
- Upon leaving the Department, you will be paid for all accrued vacation time, at yourcurrent hourly rate of pay.
Equipment
All officers are provided with uniforms andall necessary equipment including a regulation service weapon.
| Police Officer | ||
| Bachelor | ||
| Base | Degree | |
| Trainee | ||
| $41,690 | $42,890 | |
| Police Officer | $41,690 | $42,890 |
| 2 Year | $43,754 | $44,950 |
| 3 Year | $45,933 | $47,133 |
| 4Year | $48,249 | $49,449 |
| 5Year | $50,657 | $51,857 |
| 6Year | $53,179 | $54,379 |
| 7Year | $55,862 | $57,062 |
| 8Year | $58,637 | $59,837 |
| 9Year | $61,572 | $62,772 |
| 10 Year | $64,651 | $65,851 |
| Senior Corporal | ||
| Start | $42,860 | $44,060 |
| Maximum | $71,273 | $72,47 |
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