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Police Officer Entrance Examination - October 24, 2026

City of Mesquite • Full-time • Mesquite, Texas, United States • $83.87k - $107.04k / year • 3w ago

(February 8, 2027, Academy)

Starting Salary: $83,868.62 min - $107,039.97 max annually (Depending on Qualifications)

Deadline to Apply: Friday, October 16, 2026, at 4:00 P.M. (CST)

Civil Service Exam: Saturday, October 24, 2026

8:30 A.M. (CST) Check in time
8:45 A.M. (CST) Physical Agility Test (PAT) - instructions and video
9:00 A.M. (CST) Exam start time

Location Address: City of Mesquite Hall, Training Room A & B, 757 N. Galloway Ave., Mesquite, TX 75149

Only those candidates passing the minimum qualifications and supplemental questions on the online application will receive an email from the Human Resources Department with further instructions and exam seat confirmation.

A POLICE PERSONAL HISTORY QUESTIONNAIRE PACKET WILL BE EMAILED AND WILL BE DUE ON THE EXAM DATE PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THE ENTRANCE EXAM. Please click on the following link to download and complete the MPD-PHS.

Candidates with prior military service will be asked to submit the following required document:

Military form: DD214 member 4 copy (if applicable)
5 extra points will be added for those who have served 180 days of active duty, received an honorable discharge and make a passing grade (70 or better) on the written exam.

Physical Agility Test (PAT): Saturday, October 24, 2026

Testing location to be disclosed at a later time

After the Civil Service exam, those candidates with a passing grade of a 70 or above, will participate in a physical agility test on Saturday, October 24, 2026

Information regarding this test can be found by clicking the following link: Physical Agility – iwanttobeacop.net

OFFICIAL college transcripts in a sealed envelope from the college or university will be required at a later date for candidates having passed both the written and physical agility exams.

GENERAL SUMMARY

To perform a wide variety of tasks in support of the law enforcement and crime prevention functions; to perform investigative work and other special assignments; and to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Police Department.

You can search for this position's full job description here.

SUPERVISION

General supervision is provided by a Police Sergeant.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

All behaviors comply with the Code of Conduct and Rules of Behavior outlined in Chapter 8 of the General Government Policies and Procedures Manual.
Adheres to assigned work schedule as outlined in city and department attendance policies and procedures.
Prepare reports on crimes and activities; attend roll call, briefings and administrative meetings.
Participate in firearms training in order to maintain proficiency; participate in training for and operate other applicable law enforcement equipment and weapons.
Use departmental computer equipment to input, review and gain records, information and other various data; write reports of arrests, investigations, and other involvement in law enforcement related activities.
Participate in a variety of law enforcement activities and programs including making arrests of suspects in traffic and criminal offenses, executing search warrants, issuing citations, appearing in court for criminal, civil and other law enforcement related matters, attending roll call meetings; conduct surveillance; apprehend offenders; conduct interviews or interrogations with various persons relevant to investigations, arrests, complaints and other law enforcement matters.
Interact and work with citizens regarding existing and potential law enforcement and crime prevention problems; preserve good relationships with the general public; continually take an active role in educating the public regarding crime and crime prevention.
Patrol business and residential areas; respond to alarms; enforce traffic and parking laws and ordinances; respond to and investigate traffic accidents; assist motorists in distress; operate MDC (Mobile Data Computer), speed detection devices, intoxilizer and other police equipment as appropriate.
Respond to emergency calls.
Participate in investigations involving crimes against persons and/or property; secure crime scenes; preserve evidence; direct vehicular and pedestrian traffic; maintain crowd control; interview witnesses, complainants and suspects; initiate and prepare field reports about offenses or crimes.
Mediate civil and domestic disputes.
Confiscate and document any illegal, stolen or found property.
Respond to and assist with emergency medical situations as appropriate; respond to and assist with fires and other disasters or extraordinary events.
Participate in a variety of technical investigative activities involved in identifying and prosecuting persons responsible for the commission of criminal offenses.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

May participate in tactical operations; may participate in undercover operations, stakeouts and other intelligence-gathering activities.
Preserve, evaluate and record physical and trace evidence at crime scenes; evaluate all aspects of the crime scene for evidence.
May administer polygraph tests.
May participate in gathering information about or intervening in gang-related activities.
May prepare and process fingerprint cards; may catalogue and file cards.
May coordinate, prepare and present information to students in the Law Enforcement Teaching Students (LETS) program or at meetings of other organized groups; prepare information about crime prevention for media sources.
May meet with school administrators and teachers about educational programs; interact with students participating in educational programs to provide information, answer questions and address concerns.
May inspect home security systems.
May conduct and assist in firearm and other police equipment and weaponry training for departmental personnel.
May collect, package, transport, secure, document and inventory impounded property.
May greet and provide information to persons visiting department; receive and record offense reports from persons at department; receive monies for delinquent utility bills; process and release impounded vehicles.
Report conditions to other city, county, state or utility agencies which require immediate attention.
Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications below that have been established by State of Texas, Chapter 143, Police and Fire Civil Service Regulations.

Candidates must be not less than 21 years of age at the next scheduled Academy start date (February 8, 2027)
Lateral candidates must be not less than 21 years of age.
Candidates must be a U.S. Citizen (under the provisions of State Civil Service Law).
Must have a High School Diploma or GED

Education and Experience Requirements

Candidates must either:

have successfully completed 30 hours of college credit from an accredited college or university* in any subject, provided the calculation of hours successfully completed shall not include any remedial courses or course grades below “C”; or
have completed a minimum of 2 years of patrol and/or investigative experience as a full-time commissioned police officer; or
have completed a minimum of 2 years of active military duty with an honorable discharge; or
have completed a minimum of 18 months of full-time employment with the City of Mesquite

*An accredited college or university must be accredited by one of the following agencies:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
New England Association of Colleges and Schools
Higher Learning Commission - formerly North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Coursework from a foreign college or university will also be accepted after being reviewed by an agency that is certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) to determine the course taken, credit received and letter grade earned.

Additional Requirements

Candidate's vision must be at least 20/70 uncorrected in each eye, correctable to 20/20 in each eye with no color blindness.
Candidates may not be certified as eligible if audio metric testing shows average hearing loss in their unaided better ear greater than 40 decibels (dB) at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz when the audio metric devise is calibrated to ANSI Z24.5.
Candidates must be mentally alert, have the ability to get along well with others, willing to perform assigned duties and responsibilities, be conscientious and dependable and in excellent physical condition.
Candidates will be expected to participate in and pass a qualifying physical ability and medical examination, including drug testing.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid Class C Texas driver's license.
Possession of, or ability to obtain certification as a Peace Officer by the Texas.
Commission on Law Enforcement (TECOLE).
Legal qualification, under the laws of the United States of America and the State of Texas, to possess firearms and ammunition.

The following will be disqualifying:

Any use of marijuana that exceeds very limited experimentation or any experimentation within two (2) years immediately prior to testing.
No police applicant may use or possess cocaine within ten years of application and not more than three times.
Any illegal use of a controlled substance other than marijuana and cocaine.
Any felony conviction.