Police Officer

MAKE A DIFFERENCE ... WITH A FULFILLING CAREER ... THAT HAS IT ALL !

fast-paced dynamic environment *** public service *** camaraderie with co-workers

protecting your community *** role model *** exciting and challenging duties

variety of special assignments *** growing department with promotional opportunities

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COMPENSATION

Starting salaries:

• $70,000 - starting salary for non-TCOLE licensed persons
• $73,500 - after six months of employment and becoming licensed
• $77,175 with 1 year of eligible law enforcement experience
• $81,033 with 2 years of eligible law enforcement experience
• $85,085 with 3 years of eligible law enforcement experience
• $93,806 with 5 years of eligible law enforcement experience
• $98,497 with 10 years of eligible law enforcement experience
• $103,421 with 15 or more years of eligible law enforcement experience.

Extra pay for TCOLE certifications:

• Intermediate = $600 per year
• Advanced = $900 per year
• Master = $1,200 per year

Extra pay for evening and night shifts.

Annual bonus up to $2,000 for achieving agency goals.

SIGNING BONUS

We are currently offering a signing bonus of $5,000, with $2,500 paid in second paycheck after being hired and $2,500 paid upon completion of field training.

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APPLICATION REQUIREMENT:

An online application through DART's website must be submitted to be considered for employment; a resume alone will not be considered, nor will an application through Indeed.com. You must apply online at https://dart.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/DART.

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TEXAS POLICE OFFICER LICENSING FOR EXISTING OFFICERS:

Out of state, Federal, and Military police officers can become a licensed Texas police officer without having to repeat the police academy and there is no maximum age limit. For more information about Texas police officer licensing out existing police officers, go to: https://www.dart.org/docs/default-source/dart-police/police-employment-docs/dartpolicelicensingforoutofstateofficers.pdf.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS NEEDED:

- Excellent communication skills

- Ability to stay calm under pressure

- Ethical decision making skills

- Integrity and excellent judgment

- Superior problem solving skills

- Easily adaptable/flexible

- Ability to work well with others

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AGENCY INFORMATION:

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is the mass transit agency for the Dallas metropolitan area and the DART Police Department provides police services for the transportation system throughout 13 cities in 6 counties, covering over 700 square miles. The department has 429 positions, which are comprised of 252 sworn officers and 177 civilian employees.

Given the size of the department, DART Police offers a wide variety of special assignments, such as canine handlers, detectives, motorcycle officers, bicycle officer, special operations officers, drone pilots, training officers, and background investigators. As a medium sized police department, each officer is a valued team member and our officers personally know each other, which leads to a heightened level of support and camaraderie.

The DART Police Department also offers career advancement opportunities due to growth related to planned rail expansion over the next few years. The new silver line is scheduled to open by 2026.  DART Officers are eligible for promotion after two years of service as a sworn officer.

Given the large size of the entire agency, DART offers a generous benefits package that includes: multiple affordable health insurance options, multiple retirement plans, and many other benefits listed below.

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ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Responds to calls for police service within DART jurisdiction to include, but not limited to: Investigating crimes, accidents and incidents, Arresting suspects and violators, Settling disputes, Directing traffic, Assisting the public, Detaining individuals, Issuing citations, and other patrol activities

2. Interfaces with local police departments located within DART's service area.

3. Conducts preliminary and follow-up investigations.

4. Conducts security surveys.

5. Develops crime prevention approaches/measures.

6. Performs special assignments.

7. Prepares a variety of reports for management review such as investigation results, activities, status reports, etc.

8. Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1. High school diploma, or G.E.D. plus twelve (12) hours college credit from an accredited college or university. The requirement to have 12 college hours only applies to applicants who have a G.E.D. However, applicants who have graduated from High School are not required to have any college hours.

2. Written and oral communication skills to effectively communicate with all levels, both inside and outside of DART.

3. Analytical and creative skills to find solutions to complex problems.

4. Proficient using PC and software applications.

5. Valid Texas Drivers License or possess a comparable drivers license from another state of the United States. No Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) conviction within the last ten (10) years; not more than one (1) on driving record. No more than three (3) moving violation convictions within last 36 months.

6. Ability to demonstrate a fiduciary obligation to section, division, department, and DART in handling materials and information of a confidential nature.

7. Must be able to: continuously work outdoors in all kinds of weather; drive or sit in a patrol car for prolonged periods of time while remaining alert; ride on a train or bus for prolonged periods of time while remaining alert; understand verbal communication over the radio with background noise; and read and write under low light conditions.

8. Must be able to: be physically active for prolonged periods of time; stand, walk, and run on all types of surfaces, including uneven surfaces; run after fleeing suspects, to include surmounting various physical barriers, fences, and walls; climb up and down stairs; bend and twist; reach at waist and chest levels, at times reaching behind while in a seated position; kneel and squat; jump without steps onto or from uneven surfaces; carry injured persons; lift, push, and pull up to an estimated 50lbs of force; restrain persons to prevent escape; use hands for grasping, pushing, and pulling, to include holding firearm, baton, or pepperspray can in a steady and stable, outstretched position; effectively utilize police equipment such as, but not limited to, firearms, handcuffs, batons, pepperspray cans, police radio, keys, and self-contained breathing apparatus; expose hands to vibration; and continuously carry/wear heavy police equipment and bulletproof vest.

9. Pass a physical agility test.

10. Pass physical (medical) examination which includes a drug screen.

11. Incumbents are subject to random alcohol and drug testing as a condition of continual employment.

12. Must have vision of no less than 20/40 in each eye (with any corrective lenses) for effective visual surveillance and correct identification of surrounding environment. Candidates must not have moderate or strong impairment of depth or color perception.

13. Successful completion of selection process including but not limited to physical agility test, entrance exam, polygraph exam, psychological evaluation, background investigation, and criminal history check.

14. Must be able to work variable shifts, including weekends and holidays. Must be able to be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays and weekends.

DISQUALIFICATION FACTORS:

During the screening process a criminal history, and driver’s license check will be conducted. Disqualifiers include but are not limited to the following:

1. No Felony convictions, no Class A Misdemeanor convictions, and no Class B Misdemeanor convictions in the last ten years.

2. No pending criminal investigations or actions (civilian or military) and/or be under indictment for any criminal offense at the time of application.

3. Not more than one (1) DWI conviction on your driving record.

4. No dishonorable or less than honorable military discharges.

BENEFITS:

- Health Insurance (3 plan options)

- Dental Insurance

- Vision Insurance

- Life Insurance

- AD&D Insurance

- Short term disability insurance

- Long term disability insurance

- Healthcare flexible spending account

- Dependent/Elder Care flexible spending account

- Defined Contribution Retirement Plan (fully funded by employer at 7.7% of salary)

- 401K Retirement Plan (employer matches ½ of employee contribution)

- 457b Retirement Plan

- Full uniform provided

- Tuition reimbursement

- Paid time off that increases with seniority

- Relocation reimbursement

STEPS IN THE HIRING PROCESS:

- Online application

- Physical ability test

- Written test

- Interview Board

- Polygraph Exam

- Background Investigation

- Interview with Chief of Police

- Medical exam & drug test

- Psychological evaluation

- Fingerprinting

For additional information about our minimum qualifications or hiring process, please visit our website at www.DART.org/PoliceJobs.

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DALLAS / TEXAS INFORMATION:

There is no state income tax and no state property tax in Texas. Additionally, the cost of living index for Dallas is approximately 3% less than the national average. A DART Police Officer's salary (without overtime) can easily qualify for a mortgage on a 1,500+ square foot house in a desirable neighborhood with good schools.

While the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the U.S., it is also among the least densely populated major metropolitan areas in the world. The Dallas metro area has been ranked among the seven most livable urban complexes in the world.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is a strong advocate of law enforcement and has enacted laws to protect police funding in communities across the state, as well as provide additional benefits to law enforcement officers. Additionally, most Texans are supportive of law enforcement. According to a recent statewide poll, 72% of Texans have a favorable opinion of local law enforcement, 63% of Texans want more police officers on the street, and 58% of Texans want their local police force budget to be increased. 

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CONTACT US:

For additional information, email us at PDrecruiting@DART.org.

We offer recruiting events via Zoom, during which job seekers can speak to recruiters live.  The scheduled dates, times, and links for these virtual recruiting events are listed on our website near the middle of the page in the section with the yellow background at https://www.dart.org/about/about-dart/dart-police/dart-police-employment-opportunities

DART is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity in the workplace. M/F/D/V