Police Entrance Exam Application

City of Laredo•Laredo, TX

22h•Onsite

About The Position

This is an application for the Police Entrance Exam for the position of Patrol Officer. Applicants must meet minimum standards to apply for the written examination. An applicant account and email address are required for the online application. Incomplete applications will be rejected. Veteran's preference requires uploading a DD-214 with an honorable discharge by the closing date. The application closing date is June 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST. The written examination will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, with registration from 8:15 AM to 9:00 AM and the test starting at 9:15 AM at the Sames Auto Arena, 6700 Arena Boulevard, Laredo, Texas 78040. A valid driver's license must be presented at the test site.

Requirements

Must score a minimum of 70% or higher on the written examination.
Must be a United States citizen and reside in the United States.
Age requirement: between 21 and 42 years of age.
Applicants between 18-20 years of age must have 60 college hours, an Associate's Degree, or two years of active service in the U.S. Armed Forces with an Honorable discharge.
College hours must be from an accredited learning institution recognized by the State Board of Education and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or a similar regional association.
Semester hours do not include Continuing Education Credits (CEU), Technical Training, or credit for Life Experience.
Must demonstrate moderation and good judgment in personal appearance, projecting an appearance befitting a professional police officer.
Body art should not detract from personal appearance. Inappropriate body art includes offensive, obscene, discriminatory, or gang-affiliated art. Body art on the head, face, neck, or hands is disqualifying.
Dental alterations that exaggerate teeth/mouth shape or size, or include mouth jewelry, are disqualifying.
Exceptions for body art: wedding band tattoo on the left ring finger, and medical alert/information tattoos with approved documentation.
Must have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate and at least 12 college hours with a 2.0 GPA, or an Honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces after at least 24 months of active service.
Applicants with previous college attendance must not be on scholastic probation or suspension.
Must have a valid driver's license at the time of the written entrance examination.
Out-of-state residents and active duty military may possess a valid driver's license of their home state at the time of application.
Must present a valid Texas driver's license at time of employment.
Driving record must reflect safe operation of motor vehicles, with no excessive moving violations or traffic collisions.
During the three-year period preceding the exam, no more than two moving violations with a disposition other than 'not guilty' or non-conditional dismissal.
During the five-year period preceding the exam, no more than nine traffic citations with any disposition other than 'not guilty' or non-conditional dismissal.
Traffic citations include all moving violations, invalid/no driver's license, seatbelt violations, and financial responsibility citations.
No suspension or revocation of driving privileges within the preceding two years of the exam.
No more than three collisions in the five-year period preceding the exam where the applicant's actions were a determining factor.
No outstanding traffic warrants/capiases on the date of the Civil Service written examination.
Must not have ever been convicted of a felony offense.
Must not be currently charged with or under indictment for any felony offense.
Must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor offense of 'Class A' or 'Class B' within the last ten years.
Must not have been charged with any misdemeanor offense greater than a 'Class C' with a pending outcome.
Must not have been on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years.
Must have never been convicted of any Family Violence offense.
Must not be under investigation for, or considered a suspect in, any criminal offense.
Any applicant who makes a statement about involvement in a felony offense while 17 or older is deemed unsuitable.
An applicant who has used any illegal drug while employed in a law enforcement or prosecutorial position, or a position of high responsibility/public trust, will be found unsuitable.
An applicant who has misrepresented their drug history will be found unsuitable.
An applicant who has sold, delivered, distributed, or possessed any illegal drug for profit or benefit at any time will be found unsuitable.
An applicant who has used any illegal drug (including anabolic steroids after Feb 27, 1991), other than marijuana, within the last ten years, or more than five times in their life, will be found unsuitable.
An applicant who has used marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids during the two years preceding the exam, or more than three times in five years, will be deemed unsuitable.
Applicants who have used tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or any unknown substance with a vaporizer within the last five years will be found unsuitable.
An applicant who has used paint, glue, or other products for intoxication during the five years preceding the exam, or more than three times in five years, will be deemed unsuitable.
Applicants who have abused or illegally used prescription medication for intoxication or recreation on no more than three independent occasions are deemed unsuitable and ineligible to reapply for five years.
Applicants who have abused prescription medication on more than three independent occasions are permanently unsuitable.
Must be of good moral character and not habitually associate with those of questionable moral character.
Must not be currently living with anyone who is a convicted felon, unless they are an immediate family member or spouse and not actively engaging in criminal behavior.
Candidates discharged from the Armed Forces may be eligible for 5 additional points if they received an Honorable Discharge, submit a DD-214 (long form), and pass the examination.
Must not have been discharged from military service under less than honorable conditions.
Must have a history of meeting financial obligations.
Poor credit history, failure to pay debts, loan delinquency, bankruptcies, repossessions, and foreclosures will be considered.
Must not have a history of knowingly issuing checks with insufficient funds within the last five years.
Must be current on all child and/or spousal support payments.
Must not be a member of any organization that advocates the overthrow of the government by force or violence, or engages in unlawful conduct based on race, sex, religion, national origin, age, skin color, sexual preference, disability, or hate crimes.
Must not have been discharged from any law enforcement agency under less than honorable conditions, resigned to avoid suspension/discharge, or resigned during a disciplinary investigation without a final judgment.
Must not have had a certificate issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement previously revoked.
An applicant who has resigned or been terminated from a law enforcement, EMT, or firefighter academy due to lack of proficiency is ineligible to apply for one year.
An applicant terminated from a commissioned or cadet position for disciplinary reasons, resigned to avoid suspension/discharge, or resigned during an investigation without a final judgment is permanently disqualified.
Must cooperate fully with the application process, keep scheduled appointments, supply needed documents, provide added personal information, and update changes within ten business days.
Must be truthful and honest in all responses.
Applicants found to have withheld material information, practiced deception or fraud are deemed unsuitable.
Misstatements and/or omissions of material fact are cause for disqualification.
Applicants deemed unsuitable for false statements/omissions based on a previous finding are permanently unsuitable.
Must demonstrate maturity, dependability, integrity, good work ethic, and loyalty to past and present employers.
Employment history must not indicate instability, excessive tardiness/absenteeism, inefficiency, failure to follow directions/policies, poor working relationships, or negligent work habits.
In the last five years, must not have been terminated, asked to resign, or resigned for engaging in inappropriate or unlawful behavior (theft, assault, threats, disorderly conduct, breaches of peace).
Applicants deemed unsuitable for the above are eligible to reapply for subsequent entrance examinations.
Must not have been terminated, asked to resign, or resigned for engaging in inappropriate or unlawful behavior including felony offenses, sex crimes, sexual harassment, discriminatory/retaliatory acts, or acts of moral turpitude.
Applicants deemed unsuitable for the above are permanently unsuitable.
Must not have been employed or engaged in an illegal occupation.
Applicants deemed unsuitable due to employment in an illegal occupation remain permanently unsuitable.
Must pass a fitness evaluation (physical agility course) after successfully passing the entrance examination.
Must complete a background investigation.
Must submit to a polygraph examination and demonstrate veracity ('No Deception Indicated').
Must undergo a psychological examination administered by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist to determine mental/emotional fitness for duty.
Must participate in an oral assessment conducted by an oral interview board.
Must submit to a medical evaluation conducted by a physician to determine physical soundness and fitness for duty.