Our department endeavors to hire the most qualified applicants to become police officers for the City of Fort Worth. Our requirements conform to the standards issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education. In addition, the department may mandate more professional standards not indicated in our basic requirements. (Requirements are subject to change)

• Education: High School Diploma or G.E.D. Certificate and 12 semester hours of college.
• Residency: Must live within 30 minutes of designated report-in station; must be accomplished within six (6) months of employment.
• Age Requirements: 21-44 years of age (cannot have reached 45 years of age by date of civil service exam)
• Special Note: Applicants must successfully pass a written test, a physical assessment test, a background check, a psychological examination, a polygraph examination, interview and medical examination.
• TCLEOSE standards have been revised effective March 1, 2001 and apply to the current recruitment process:
  • Never have been convicted OR have been on court-related community supervision or probation for any offense above the grade of a Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years.
  • Never have been convicted of any family violence offense.
• License: Valid and current Class "C" driver's license.
• Veteran: Please submit a photocopy of DD214 at time of application that shows 180 days of consecutive "active duty" days. Must also have received an Honorable Discharge to qualify for veteran points on a passing score of 79.

Submission of a complete application for the position of police trainee requires the following:

• Complete written application
• Certified copy of official birth certificate
• Certified copy of Naturalization paper (if applicable)
• Copy of valid Drivers License
• Copy of official high school diploma or GED
• If GED, proof of 12 hours from an accredited college with a 2.0 GPA or higher
• Copy of Military Discharge Paper (DD214 or DD256) showing discharge
• Copy of Social Security card
• Official Driving Record

After meeting all preliminary requirements, every applicant is required to complete the following procedures:

• Written Examination (Civil Service Exam)- Applicants are required to take a written test. An individual's test score (plus any veterans points on scores 79 and above) will be used to determine an individual's rank on the eligibility list. The highest ranked candidates will proceed through the following process:
  • Fitness Assessment - Applicants are required to complete a Physical Assessment Test (PAT) which basically is a obstacle course. The test consists of a sprint and barrier surmount, stair climb, physical restraint task (power training machine), pursuit run, victim rescue, and concludes with a trigger pull evaluation. The applicant will be wearing approximately 14 to 17 pounds of gear during the test to represent standard-issued gear a police officer would be wearing. The assessment is a timed event, with the maximum allowable time for the PAT being 2 minutes and 55 seconds. The PAT is conducted on a pass/fail basis.
  • Personal History - After successful completing the physical agility tests, applicants will be issued a Personal History Booklet requiring detailed information from the applicant.
  • Background Investigation - A background investigation will be conducted to verify information provided by the candidate and to determine if the candidate meets the minimum standards for the position of police trainee.
  • Polygraph - Applicant will be required to take a polygraph test. 
  • Oral Review Board - An oral review board will conduct an interview with each candidate who meets minimum standards. The board will determine if the candidate can perform the essential functions of the job.
  • Psychological Examination - The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education requires that all peace officers be examined by a licensed psychologist who certifies that they are in satisfactory psychological and emotional health to be a police officer.
  • Medical Examination - Final applicants will be given a thorough physical examination appropriate for the essential physical functions of a police officer position.
  • Final Appointment - Final appointment is contingent upon recommendation by the Chief of Police and approval by the City Manager, in addition to successful completion of the psychological and physical examination.

For updated information on hiring status, go to City of Fort Worth Job Opportunities or complete an Interest Form(you will be leaving the Fort Worth Police Department website)