162nd Police Cadet - Regular Academy - June 2027

Austin Police Department; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 67,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

The Austin Police Department is seeking applicants for the Police Cadet program. Cadets will learn to enforce laws, respond to calls, and conduct investigations while preparing reports and testifying in court.

Applicants must be US citizens, at least 20.5 by academy start, hold a HS diploma or GED, and meet one of several pathways (college credits, military service, or recent work experience). The academy lasts about 8 months, with a structured pay scale through early and later career steps.

Qualifications

• Must read, write and speak English.
• Candidates must be US Citizen, born or naturalized.
• HS Diploma or GED required with one of the following: college credits, military service, or work experience.
• Must be 20.5 years old by academy start date.
• Possess a valid Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Respond to calls for service.
• Enforce traffic laws.
• Conduct preliminary investigations of crimes.
• Execute all lawful process.
• Arrest offenders with/without warrant as authorized by law.
• Investigate motor vehicle crashes.
• Prepare written reports.
• Give testimony in court.
• Confer with local agencies on mutual matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Read, write & speak English

Confidence & responsible attitude

React quickly & take positive action

Resilience

Remain calm under pressure

Work alone & in a team

Strong communication skills

Courage & initiative

Integrity

Good physical fitness

Education

HS Diploma or GED with options

12 college credits with min 2.0 GPA

2 years military service (honorable discharge)

24 months full-time work experience (last 36 months)

Job description

This posting is for the position of Police Cadet for the Austin Police Department.

Applicants should possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to be successful in a law enforcement career.

• Read, write, and speak 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.

• 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.
• Perform law enforcement duties including
• 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.

The Austin Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Must be 20.5 years of age by the time of the start of academy
• US Citizen, born or naturalized.
• Have a valid Driver’s License.
• Possess HS Diploma or GED and one of the following
• 12 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university with minimum 2.0 GPA; or
• 2 years full time active military service with honorable discharge; or
• 24 months full time work experience in the last 36 months

During academy (approximately 8 months)

$67,000/year rate

At graduation

$82,558/year

At 1 year anniversary of graduation

$96,353/year

At 2 year anniversary of graduation

$106,344/year

At 6 year anniversary of graduation

$113,788/year

At 10 year anniversary of graduation

$121,754/year

At 14 year anniversary of graduation

$130,276/year

At 16 year anniversary of graduation

$139,396/year

At 23 year anniversary of graduation

$143,578/year

Please visit www.apdrecruiting.org/pay-benefits for more information regarding our pay scales and details about our incentive pay.