Commissioned Officers

Officer Samantha Carter is the UT System Police featured officer of the month.

The Field Operations Division functions as the tactical operations division for the department. Over 60 commissioned police officers are our most publicly visible representatives of the department and are dispatched by police communications operators by radio.

As the primary responsibility of this division, UT Austin officers are on constant patrol of the campus to prevent crime, to preserve the peace, and to protect life and property by enforcing the Texas state laws, and The University of Texas Regents Rules and Regulations.

UTPD officers patrol the campus by car, bicycle, and foot. Uniformed police officers provide safety to students living in campus housing by monitoring resident’s late-entry access, checking exterior doors and patrolling halls.

Job description from UT System (PDF).

Salary

Cadets — $36,096/year
First year Officer — $43,400/year
TCLEOSE Commissioned Police Officer — $43,400/year – $52,000/year based on police officer experience

Officer Step Pay

Two years of experience at UTPD Austin an additional $2400 annually
Four years of experience at UTPD Austin an additional $1800 annually
Six years of experience at UTPD Austin an additional $1800 annually

Supplemental Pay

Officers may be entitled to an education or peace officer certificate supplemental pay:

Certificate

Intermediate Peace Officer Pay $600 annually
Advance Peace Officer Pay $1,200 annually
Master Peace Officer Pay $1,800 annually

Degree

Associate Degree $600 annually
Bachelor’s Degree $1,200 annually
Master’s Degree $1,800 annually

Other Supplemental Pay (eligibility requirements)

Field Training Officer $150/monthly
Shift Differential $100/monthly

Premium Pay

Hazardous Duty Pay
Longevity Pay

HR has more information available on hazardous/longevity pay.

Comprehensive Compensation Example (PDF)

Requirements

Complete requirements are available from UT System. The following is a summary:

Education Requirements

Cadet Position: high school diploma or GED
Police Officer Position: high school diploma or GED and possess a TCLEOSE Peace Officer License;
If you were not commissioned in the state of Texas you will need to meet additional requirements
Preferred: 60 college hours from an accredited college or university

Health and Physical Requirements

Age 21 on commission date
Vision correctable to 20/30; uncorrected cannot be greater than 20/200
Able to hear conversation from at least 15 feet
Able to pass the physical fitness test including weight lift, stair climb, and obstacle course
See the Physical Agility Test description (PDF) from UT System for details.

Additional Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen
No felony convictions
No DWI or DUI convictions within the past 10 years
No Class B misdemeanor convictions within the past 10 years
Not currently on probation for any criminal offense above a Class C misdemeanor
No convictions, court-ordered community supervision, or probation for any Class B or above criminal offense
Acceptable driving record and eligible to operate a university-owned vehicle in accordance with UTS 157.

Ineligibility

An applicant who falls into any of the following categories is ineligible to be licensed and will not be considered:

Currently charged with or under indictment for any criminal offense
Any convictions for Family Violence Offense
Prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition
Had a TCLEOSE license denied by final order or revoked; had a voluntary surrender of a TCLEOSE license currently in effect; or have not violated any TCLEOSE rules or provisions of the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1701
Terminated, asked to resign, or resigned from any previous employment for engaging in inappropriate or unlawful behavior, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
- Separated from any law enforcement commission/position, recruit position within a law enforcement agency, or any position within a city, county, state, federal or private corrections institution by:
  - Termination due to excessive or serious disciplinary reasons;
  - Resignation to avoid suspension or termination;
  - Resignation during a disciplinary investigation that did not reach a final disposition;
  - Termination for untruthfulness; or
  - Termination for insubordination
- Illegally sold, produced, cultivated or transported for sale marijuana or any other substance or drugs listed in the Federal or Texas Controlled Substances Acts
- Used marijuana anytime in the past 36 months preceding application date
- Habitually used marijuana during the five years preceding application date
- Used amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine, opium, barbiturates, heroin, morphine, ecstasy, Eve, anabolic steroids, LSD, PCP or Psilocybin within the past five years

For other possible drug disqualifiers contact Sgt. Davis.

Application Process

The selection process is comprised of eleven phases in which a series of tests and examinations, integral to the background investigations, are administered. A rigorous and challenging selection process will identify those individuals best qualified for employment with this department.
* indicates order may be changed due to scheduling.

Phase 1 — Application for employment with UT Human Resources
Phase 2 — Tests
1. Written examination (Cadet applicants only)
2. Physical fitness test (Cadets and TCLEOSE Commissioned Peace Officers)
Phase 3 — Police Application Packet
1. Personal History Statement
2. Pre-Employment Polygraph Questionnaire
3. Conditional Offer of Employment
Phase 4 — Oral Interview Board
Phase 5 — Background Investigation
Phase 6 — Background Board
Phase 7 — Chief’s Interview
Phase 8 — Polygraph Examination *
Phase 9 — Medical Test *
1. Extended physical
2. Vision examination
Phase 10 — Psychological exam *
Phase 11 — Drug screen *

The University of Texas at Austin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, Vietnam era or special disabled veteran's status, or sexual orientation. This is not a contract expressed or implied. Benefits subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for errors or changes.