How to Apply
- Applicant applies online by clicking on either the Police Officer or Public Service Officer position at the Application Portal and receives automated email with information on the Personal Information Form (PIF) and required documents.
- Applicant should review the Eligibility Requirements page to ensure that they meet the minimum eligibility standards.
- Rejection Criteria is also listed under Eligibility Requirements on the Friendswood Police Department Recruiting Page.
- Applicant submits Personal Information Form and required documents by the given deadline.
- Preliminary Review of Personal Information Form by Officer Blair, Office of Professional Standards and Training, or designee. The PIF and attachments are reviewed to ensure that the applicant does not meet any of the rejection criteria.
- If rejection criteria are found within the Personal Information Form, the applicant is sent a rejection letter.
- If the preliminary review does not yield any rejection criteria, the applicant is invited to take the entry level written test.
- Take entry level written test.
- If the applicant passes with a score of 70 or above, the applicant is invited to interview in front of a panel of senior and first line supervisory officers.
- If the applicant does not pass the test, the applicant goes no further in the process. The applicant is eligible to retake the test on the next available test date.
- Oral Interview Board
- If the applicant receives a favorable recommendation from the patrol panel, the personal information form and attachments are assigned to a background investigator.
- If the applicant does not receive a favorable recommendation from the patrol panel, the applicant is sent a rejection letter.
- Background Investigation is conducted
- A complete background investigation is conducted using the information provided in the Personal Information Form. The applicant may be called by the assigned background investigator to give an interview to go over or clarify information contained in the PIF.
- If during the background investigation the investigator discovers information that would reject the applicant from further review, the applicant is sent a rejection letter.
- Command Panel Interview
- If the applicant receives a favorable recommendation from the Command Panel, the applicant is given a conditional job offer.
- If the applicant does not receive a favorable recommendation from the Command Panel, the applicant is sent a rejection letter.
Physical & Psychological Examination
- Physical Examination
- If the applicant passes the medical and drug evaluation, they are scheduled to take the written section of the psychological examination.
- If the applicant fails any portion of the medical and drug evaluation, the applicant will not be hired by the City of Friendswood.
- Psychological Examination
- The applicant will be asked to meet with the Department’s psychologist. If the applicant receives a favorable recommendation from the psychologist, a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement F-5 History will be requested.
- If the applicant does not receive a favorable recommendation from the Department’s psychologist, the applicant will not be hired by the City of Friendswood.
After Hiring
Certified Officer new hires enter orientation and then the Field Training Program.
Out of State Applicants
Applications are accepted from persons living outside the State of Texas. When possible the Friendswood Police Department will make every effort to reduce the number of times that the applicant must travel.
Out of State Peace Officers
See the current Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Rules by visiting the TCOLE website.
Upon appointment you will be assigned to the patrol division where you will be assigned to the Field Training Program. There is no In-house Police Academy; however, there is a short in-house orientation period before entering the Field Training Program.
Out of City Applicants
Applications are accepted from persons living outside Friendswood. When possible the Friendswood Police Department will make every effort to reduce the number of times that the applicant must travel for those who do not reside within the Houston metropolitan area.
Texas Peace Officers
Upon appointment you will be assigned to the patrol division where you will be assigned to the Field Training Program. There is no In-house Police Academy; however, there is a short in-house orientation period before entering the Field Training Program.
Lateral Entry Program
The Friendswood Police Department has a Lateral Entry Program for experienced peace officers. The benefits of the Lateral Entry Program are:
- Pay: an experienced peace officer’s pay will be commensurate with their experience and education and is determined by the Chief of Police.
- No academy
- Shorter Field Training (FTO) Program
United States Armed Forces Military Police
(Army, Navy, Air Force and US Marine Corps)
See the current Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Rules by visiting the TCOLE website.
Upon appointment you will be assigned to the patrol division where you will be assigned to the Field Training Program. There is no In-house Police Academy; however, there is a short in-house orientation period before entering the Field Training Program.
Personal Information Form & Required Documents
ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE PRINTED SIGNLE-SIDED
Helpful Hints for Succeeding in the Hiring Process
It is very important for an applicant to do their homework prior to applying and during the application process. The applicant needs to understand that they are applying for a position that is a profession that is highly respected and regarded. The law enforcement profession, but more especially, the Friendswood Police Department has high expectations and standards for their officers.
Competitive Process
The process and the standards in a hiring process of a police officer in law enforcement and more especially, the Friendswood Police Department is probably unlike any other application process that a police applicant has experienced. The process is lengthy, difficult, demanding, and highly competitive.
With that being said, do not let that scare you off; just be aware. Do not sell yourself short. We have hired applicants with bachelor’s degrees, with four years or more of military experience, a combination of both, recent police academy graduates with the aforementioned and with no education or military or police experience. A thick resume is impressive, but it alone will not get you the job.
Do Your Homework!
This is where the homework comes into play. If you will do the following whether you have 10 years of experience or you or just graduating from the police academy, college or exiting the military your chances of being considered will increase greatly.
- You will be instructed to fill out and submit forms supplied to you by the Department and you will be instructed to submit certain documents such as college transcripts, birth certificate, etc. It is important that you do the following:
- Read and follow the instructions
- Be honest. Lying by omission is just the same as not telling the truth.
- Attention to detail. Do not leave anything blank and do not be vague.
- Submit the forms and required documents.
- Study for the test. If you are not prepared for the test and make a 69 it is just like making a 0. It would be advisable to purchase a study guide from the testing company and with that guide purchase a study guide that contains more examples. A high score is not necessary, but it does reflect on the applicant’s skill sets and preparation.
- Those that submitted the aforementioned and are not rejected will be invited to appear before an Oral Interview Board. It is highly recommended that you wear a business suit and to conduct research into the following:
- The Department you are applying for.
- The City you are applying for.
- The County or Counties that the City lies in.
- Typical interview questions asked during a police applicant interview.
- Be honest in the interview.
- Be prepared to sell yourself. This is where most applicants fail and miss out on their opportunity to shine and to overcome their resume deficiencies.
- Have a full understanding of what a police officer stands for and his or her duties and what you are getting into.
- Good luck!