161st Police Academy - Lateral Officer Program - April 2027

Austin Police Department • Austin, TX

50d • Onsite

About The Position

This posting is for the Austin Police Lateral Officer Program. Applicants must have active law enforcement experience and meet minimum qualifications. The program aims to recruit experienced officers to join the Austin Police Department. The department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

• Read and write English.
• Confidence and a responsible attitude.
• The ability to react quickly and take positive action.
• Resilience.
• The ability to remain calm in challenging situations.
• The ability to work alone and in a team.
• Strong communication skills.
• Courage and initiative.
• Integrity.
• Good physical fitness.
• At least 20.5 years of age at time of application.
• U.S. Citizen, born or naturalized.
• Have a valid Driver’s License.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Actively employed with at least three (3) years of active service as a licensed police officer for a municipal, county, and/or state law enforcement agency that handles a full array of urban police work.
• Hold a current peace officer license from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
• Out of State applicants without a TCOLE license must complete required TCOLE coursework prior to the academy.

Nice To Haves

• School/university, Federal, and Military police experience does not qualify for the Lateral Officer Program.

Responsibilities

• The protection of life, liberty, and property.
• Enforcement of all laws of the State of Texas and laws and ordinances of the City of Austin.
• Respond to calls for service.
• Enforce traffic laws.
• Conduct preliminary investigations of crimes.
• Execute all lawful process.
• Arrest offenders with and without warrant when authorized by law.
• Investigate motor vehicle crashes.
• Prepare various written reports.
• Give testimony in court.
• Confer with local law enforcement, criminal justice, and emergency response agencies on matters of mutual interest.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Pay matches your prior years of service, up to and capped at the 6-year pay step ($97,385 - $104,202)
• Progress through the pay steps normally
• Example: If you graduate the academy and are at the 6-year pay step, in four years, you’ll be at the 10 year pay step ($121,754/year).
• Visit www.apdrecruiting.org/pay-benefits for more information regarding our pay scales and details about our incentive pay.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED