General Requirements and Disqualifications

Requirements

In-State TCOLE Certified Officers 

In-state Laterals shall enter the pay scale based on their years of full-time Police Officer experience. Time spent in an academy, correctional service, or time as a military police officer will not qualify as time in service for our lateral entry program.

• Applicants with three (3) or more years of full-time, paid experience may qualify to start at STEP 2. 
• Applicants with five (5) or more years of full-time paid experience may qualify to start at STEP-3. 
• Applicants wishing to be considered for lateral entry may be asked to provide copies of their performance evaluations for their last three (3) years of full-time experience. 

Out-of-State Police Officers

Out-of-state Laterals must meet all TCOLE requirements. Check the TCOLE site to make sure you meet their requirements. DO NOT start the process with TCOLE or apply with us until you are sure you’re ready to move to Texas. Candidate must complete all required coursework and pass the TCOLE exam within 90 days* subject to course availability. 

• Applicants with three (3) or more years of full-time paid experience may qualify to start at STEP-2. 
• Applicants with five (5) or more years of full-time paid experience may qualify to start at STEP-3. 
• Applicants wishing to be considered for lateral entry may be asked to provide copies of their performance evaluations for their last three (3) years of full-time experience. 

View Out-of-State Officers Eligibility TCOLE Requirements.

Consideration of lateral entry will be granted on a case-by-case basis following a review of the candidate’s application, Personal History Statement and supplied performance evaluations for the full-time service experience. Passing all stages of the hiring process is mandatory. A determination to grant or deny lateral entry will be made before a conditional job offer.

Examples of duties 

Typical qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent. 
• Must be a United States citizen. 
• Must pass a drug screen, criminal background check, MVR check and any other verification required by the Anna Police Department.

License or Certification 

• Must possess a current and valid Driver's License
• Must possess a valid TCOLE license

Types of Disqualifications

Automatic Disqualifiers

• A class B conviction within the last 10 years.
• A family violence conviction. 
• Conviction of any offense above a class B misdemeanor.
• Currently on probation or under indictment for any criminal offense.
• Discharge from the military under less than honorable conditions, including:
  • Any other characterization of service indicating bad character
  • Bad conduct
  • Dishonorable
  • Other than an honorable condition 

Drug Use Disqualifiers

• Admission of illegal use of any kind within three years before the date of application.
• Any illegal use of PCP or LSD, regardless of time.
• Any illegal use of a felony-grade substance as defined in the Texas Penal Code or Health and Safety Code, within ten years before the date of application, including prescription medication not prescribed to the applicant. 
• Extensive use of any illegal drug will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Factors considered are the number of times, the length of usage, and lifestyle improvements. 

Driving Record Disqualifiers

• A driving record that indicates the following:
  • The driver's license is currently suspended or revoked.
  • Any serious violation, such as reckless driving, endangering the lives of others, racing, failing to stop and render aid, or negligent vehicular manslaughter, within the past three years.
  • Excessive standard moving violations such as speeding, reckless driving, disregarding a traffic control signal, failure to signal, failure to keep right, following too close, etc.

Other Possible Disqualifiers

• Failure to substantially and correctly complete the application forms, including but not limited to; failure to fill in all blanks to an extent that suggests intentional omission or deception, failure to provide notary seals where required, or failure to attach requested documents unless prior arrangements have been made.
• A history of failure to maintain financial responsibility is shown through a credit report.
• Unstable job history; the applicant changes jobs frequently. 

EOE Statement:

The City of Anna is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to an alcohol-free, drug-free workplace and to providing equal opportunities regardless of race, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, political affiliation, or marital status.