Employment Opportunities

General Information for Police Officer Candidates

Signing Bonus: $10,000

The Paris Police Department operates under Texas Government Code 143, commonly known as Civil Service. An entrance examination is given to establish an eligibility list. Candidates are ranked on the list according to the passing score on the written examination along with preference points. Five points, called veteran preference points, are added to the passing score of those veterans who have provided a copy of the form DD214 with their application to test. The DD214 must list an honorable discharge.

The department offers a $10,000.00 hiring bonus for all successful appointment of applicants in three installments;

$3,500.00 at time of appointment
$3,000.00 upon successful completion of the Field Training Program
$3,500.00 upon successful completion of the probationary employment period

Applicants are eligible for a $1,000.00 reimbursement for documented moving expenses for those who relocate from more than one hour’s driving distance from Paris.

Experienced Certified Peace Officers are eligible for Lateral Seniority Pay to align base salary with previous law enforcement experience.

Starting pay for an officer is $52,000 per year. Officers also earn additional pay for TCOLE Peace Officer Certification Levels, Seniority Pay, Longevity Pay and Assignment Pay.

Civil Service entry-level Police Officer test announcement

An examination will be held at the Paris Police Department, 2910 Clarksville Street, Paris, TX, for the position of Police Officer in the Paris Police Department on July 11th, 2023.

Applications are always available and accepted. Applications will be accepted for the July 11 test date until 5:00 p.m., Thursday, July 6, 2023.

The application to test may be completed online, by PDF, or obtained in the Civil Service Director’s office or the Paris Police Station. The completed application has to be returned to the Civil Service Director at City Hall, 135 SE 1st Street, Paris, TX 75460, at any time when there is not a test scheduled. If there is a test scheduled, there will be an application closing date posted.

Applications may also be obtained by calling Sandy Collard, Civil Service Director, at 903-784-9272 or by clicking here to send an email. If the candidate is a veteran, for veteran preference points and to comply with TCOLE rules, a copy of the DD214 form must be submitted with the application or prior to the test. A photo identification card, such as a state driver’s license or military identification card, is required to take the test. Evidence of a peace officer license has to be presented prior to the test for certified officer preference.

A physical assessment will take place immediately following the written exam.

Employment requirements for the position of Police Officer

Be a Citizen of the United States
At least 21 and less than 45 years of age. Applicants 18-20 years of age with 60 hours of college or 2 years of military duty with an honorable discharge are eligible to apply.
Applicants must be able to read and write the English language.
Valid Driver’s License with a good driving record.
Be of good moral character with no felony convictions and must meet all legal requirements necessary to become eligible for future licensing by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education
Applicants who are veterans of any branch of the United States Armed Services are eligible for preference points provided they receive a passing grade and show proof of an honorable discharge;
Must possess a High School Diploma or GED Certificate.
Candidates must meet all requirements set forth in the state of Texas Occupations code 1701.00.
Candidates must live within one hour travel time to the downtown of Paris, Texas.
Candidates must meet all academic, physical, medical and psychological requirements and make timely appearances at appointments.

Base Pay

Position	Annual Base Pay	Hourly
Police Officer	$52,000.00	$25.00
Police Sergeant	$61,962.02	$29.79
Police Lieutenant	$71,924.05	$34.58
Police Captain	$81,886.07	$39.37
Assistant Chief	$91,848.09	salaried

Seniority and Assignment Pay

Seniority Pay	(Bi-weekly)	Assignment Pay	(Bi-weekly)
2-3 years in rank	$47.89	Language Pay (bilingual)	$46.16
4-5 years in rank	$95.79	SWAT / Hostage Negotiation	$43.75
6-7 years in rank	$143.68	Accident Reconstructionist	$43.75
8-9 years in rank	$191.58	Field Training Officer	$46.15
10-11 years in rank	$239.47	Crime Prevention Officer	$46.15
12-13 years in rank	$287.37
14+ years in rank	$335.26

Peace Office (TCOLE) Certificate Pay (Annually)

Basic	Intermediate	Advanced	Master
$3250.00	$3900.00	$4550.00	$5200.00

Civil Service Longevity pay is also available at the rate of $4.00 per month per year of service up to 20 years.

Promotions are in accordance with civil service rules. An officer has to be in rank for a minimum of two years before being allowed to test for the next higher rank. Promotions are made on an as-needed basis.

The department operates a uniform Patrol Division, which includes community policing, a Criminal Investigative Division and a Services Division. The following specialized units are in use by the department: SWAT, Accident Reconstruction, Hostage Negotiators, Telephone Reporting Unit, Communications Center, Auto Theft Task Force and Community Outreach.

Officer-issued equipment include uniforms, bullet-resistant vest, handgun, and duty gear, along with other less lethal tactical equipment.

Medical insurance is provided for the employee, and coverage is available for family members.

The city of Paris participates in the Texas Municipal Retirement System. Employee contributions have a 2:1 match by the city. There is a voluntary deferred compensation program.

Police officers are allowed 120 hours of vacation leave each year, along with 80 hours of holiday leave.

The police department’s uniform Patrol Division works 12-hour shifts with every other weekend off. Daily tours of duty are 6 PM to 6 AM and 6 AM to 6 PM. All shifts rotate every three months.

Hiring Process

The hiring process for a police officer position is lengthy. Here are the steps we take to process a police officer candidate:

The application to take the test (Click Here) has to be turned in on time to be placed on the list for admittance to the test location.
The written examination is given to all candidates who arrive on time for the test. The candidate’s score is posted within 3 days of the written exam. The candidate's passing score determines the ranking on the eligibility list. Preference is given to certified police officers, and veteran preference points are added to a passing score.
In conjunction with the written exam, candidates are put through the physical assessment. The Physical assessment is described in the next paragraph. The test is pass/fail. *The July 11, 2023 physical assessment will begin at 7:00 a.m. on the day of the exam.
Candidates will be scheduled to meet with a ’mentor’ officer to receive their Personal History Statement packet. The candidate will be provided instruction and assistance in completing the application package.
Officers are subject to a criminal and employment background investigation. The candidate may be required to meet with an investigator regarding their personal history statement.
Successfully passing the background investigation advances the applicant to a panel interview board assessment.
Successfully passing the interview board advances the applicant to a polygraph, psychological and medical examination, including a drug screen.
The last step in the hiring process is an interview with the Chief of Police.

Tutoring Class

A tutoring session for the written test will be provided on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. The class usually takes about one hour to complete. This class is held at the Paris Police Station, 2910 Clarksville Street, Paris, TX 75460. Study guides are available at the Police Station, the Civic Service Director's office and online through open-source vendors.

Physical Assessment

The Paris Police Department uses a task-based physical assessment for potential police officers. There is a blood pressure check and a step test provided to make sure the candidate’s health is not at risk to take the test. Resting blood pressure needs to be 140/90 or less, and the heart rate needs to be less than 145 after a 3-minute step test. The candidate must be able to do 25 sit-ups in one minute. After these procedures are completed at the police department, the test moves to the fire department drill field.

The procedure for the physical assessment at the drill field will be demonstrated to candidates. Below is a step-by-step description of the assessment:

The candidate is seated in the driver’s seat of a patrol car. A 115-pound dead-weight human dummy is seated in the passenger seat.
On the go signal, the candidate will run 50 yards through a serpentine course to a solid 4-foot wall, climbs over the wall, and will then return to the patrol car through the serpentine course.
At the patrol car, the candidate will remove the dummy from the vehicle and drag the dummy 50 feet to a designated location.
The candidate will then run 15 yards to the ’tower’ and climbs three floors of the staircase to the top without skipping any stairs.
At the top of the tower, the candidate will dry-fire a revolver with their arm extended straight and level pulling the trigger 6 times. Time stops.
Time cannot exceed 1 minute and 40 seconds.

Prior Drug Use

Candidates responses to the questions below will be considered in determining their suitability for employment with the department. A ’yes’ answer is not a basis for rejection but will be weighed in the overall applicant assessment process. If you have any questions regarding the drug use questionnaire or the application process, please call Lt. Michael Bankston, at 903-737-4137.

Have you used any illegal drug (except for marijuana) in the last 5 years?
Have you ever sold any illegal drug?
Have you ever used an illegal drug (no matter how many times or how long ago) while in a law enforcement position or in a position which carries with it a high level of responsibility or public trust?
Have you used paint, glue or other inhalants for the purpose of intoxication in the last 7 years?
Have you inhaled, smoked, ingested or used any ’legal’ synthetic drugs, which may be known as ’K2’ or ’bath salts,’ in the last 5 years?
Have you used prescription drugs for any purpose other than that of the prescribed use for the prescribed person?

Benefits

INSURANCE

The city provides $595 towards each employee’s insurance.
There are 4 plans to choose from. Two cost less than the $595 and two cost more.
Dental & vision are available for purchase. The City does not contribute to the cost of dental or vision.

RETIREMENT

TMRS- (Texas Municipal Retirement System) employee’s contribution is 7%. The city’s contribution is 2 to 1 match (14%).
5 year vesting schedule to receive city funds at retirement.
457- We offer this, but the city does not contribute.
Supplemental death benefit = to current base salary; $7500 after retire

VACATION ACCRUALS

12 days first year of service
15 days years 2 thru 10 of service
18 days 11 -14 years of service
21 days 15-19 years of service
24 days 20+ years of service
40 day maximum carryover (any unused days are carried over for the next year)

SICK ACCRUALS

15 days per year
135 day maximum carryover (any unused days are carried over for the next year)
Sick leave sell back policy (can sell back 2 weeks per year @ 75% pay)

ATTENDENCE HOLIDAY DAYS

Earn 8 hours per quarter of attendance time (time off) for every quarter that no sick time is taken.

HOLIDAY PAY

10 paid holidays per year

LONGEVITY

$4 for every month of service paid out in Nov.

LIFE INSURANCE

City pays for 25k for each employee,
10k/20k spouse, 5k children available for purchase as well as additional employee coverage

Long Term Disability

City contributes the full cost of long-term disability

Non-Sworn Civilian Positions

Civilian positions in the department include 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatcher, Animal Control Officer, Records Clerk, Property and Evidence, Telephone Reporting Unit, Community Outreach Coordinator, and other clerical positions. For open civilian positions, a job description and information on how to apply are posted on this page. These positions and other open positions for the city of Paris are also listed on the Human Resources page on the city website. To visit that page, please click here.

EMERGENCY DISPATCHER -

This is skilled, responsible work on an assigned shift in dispatching from a Communications Center Fire, Police, and Ambulance calls by radio and telephone in emergency situations. Receives and assesses emergency calls. Dispatches fire, police and EMS staff as dictated by the nature of the call. Enters related data onto the computer system for tracking purposes. Completes computer inquiries to get information on vehicle registration, tag numbers and other law enforcement related information. Maintains a regular and predictable work schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS

High School Diploma or GED. Experience in the operation of radio and telephone equipment, answering complaints and requests for service are preferred. Must be able to type 30-35 words per minute and be able to perform the essential job functions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

TO APPLY

Applications should be completed and submitted to Human Resources Director Sandy Collard by email or by mail to the City of Paris, H.R. Department, 135 1st S.E., Paris, Texas 75460.

Lt. Michael Bankston	903-737-4137	email Lt. Bankston
Asst. Chief Randy Tuttle	903-737-4130	email Asst. Chief Tuttle
Sandy Collard, Civil Service Director	903-784-9272	email S. Collard