Requirements for New Recruits:

Be a citizen of the United States.
Be 21 years of age or older. 

Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of post-secondary education as certified through a commission on higher education of a regional educational agency for colleges and universities recognized by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement -- OR -- four years of active-duty military experience with an honorable discharge -- OR -- 60 hours of college credits with 4 continuous years serving as an APD Police Service Assistant or APD Detention Officer. For those who are already a certified police officer applicant please see our Lateral Transfer Academy page for those requirements.

Have no felony or class A misdemeanor convictions; including deferred adjudications.
Have no misdemeanor convictions, including deferred adjudications, above the grade of class C within the past 10 years.
Not be on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of class C misdemeanor.
Have no DWI convictions within the past 10 years.

Have no family members working for APD.
Be of good character and have a stable school, work, and driving record.
Read, write, and speak the English language.

Possess 20/20 vision, either corrected or uncorrected in each eye. Uncorrected vision cannot exceed 20/100 in each eye unless vision is corrected by the use of contact lenses or prescription eyeglasses which must be worn on duty and / or during all enforcement related activities. Must also be free of dichromatic color blindness, night blindness, and any other visual deficiencies or limitations.

Have no hearing loss greater than 45 decibels at 4000 hertz.
Be able to pass a physical exam as determined by a physician.
Have no tattoos on the neck, face, or hands except for one wedding band.

The New Recruit Academy program will consist of 32 weeks at the Training Center, followed by 17 weeks of field training.

Additional Requirements for Lateral Transfers:

Be eligible for certification from TCOLE.

Actively employed as a licensed peace officer for a municipal, county, school/university, and/or state law enforcement agency with no service year requirement and have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of post-secondary education, OR actively employed with 3 years continuous service as a licensed peace officer for a municipal, county, school/university, and/or state law enforcement agency if the applicant does not have a bachelor's degree.

​The Lateral Transfer Academy program will consist of 10 weeks for in-state laterals and 14 weeks for out-of-state laterals at our training center followed by 7 weeks of field training.

Pay Rates:

Police Officer (New Recruit) Salary
Entry (Academy) $78,074
1 Year $81,991
2 Years $86,076
3 Years $90,392
4 Years $94,916
5 Years $99,629
15 Years $102,122
20 Years $104,678

Police Officer (Lateral Transfer) Salary
1 year of experience $81,991
2 years of experience $86,076
3 years of experience $90,392
4 years of experience $94,916
5+ years of experience $99,629

Download a copy of this information by clicking HERE.

Women are HIGHLY encouraged to register and attend!