College Station Police — Careers
Everything applicants ask — testing, the academy, pay and benefits, tattoos, military service, and life on the job.
The full process:
Yes. Applications must be completed online. After you submit, you’ll receive instructions for the Personal History Statement (PHS) — download it, print it, and complete it. The PHS must be turned in to Recruiting on the day of your scheduled entry-level exam.
Before your scheduled entry exam. You’ll receive the PHS by email after passing the online application. We know some items take time to gather — if you need more time, contact a recruiter.
You’ll complete the written examination, a Preliminary Information Form, and the physical fitness test. You may also be asked to do your preliminary interview the same day.
A resume is not required. If you have one, you can attach it to your online application or include it with your Personal History Statement.
Any athletic clothing of your choice, for both the written and the physical fitness test.
You do not have to be 21 at the start of the academy, but you must be 21 by the time you graduate. There is no maximum age.
With a high school diploma, you don’t need any college credit to apply. If you have a GED, you’ll need at least 12 college hours, or two years of continuous military service with an honorable discharge.
The National Police Select Test (NPST). It measures the whole candidate — critical human-relations skills alongside reading comprehension, writing ability, mathematical reasoning, and reasoning/analysis.
Yes. Applicants may order the practice “NPST Candidate Orientation Guide” from FPSI (fpsi.com). It can be downloaded as a PDF or printed. Read all instructions on the FPSI and payment pages carefully to complete the download successfully.
Choose one — you don’t need to do both:
Training plans are provided for both options.
Yes — full salary and full benefits (health insurance, retirement, and more) while you’re in the academy. CSPD also pays for the academy itself and your equipment.
CSPD doesn’t set the academy schedule — all new cadets attend the Central Texas Police Academy. Email cspdrecruiting@cstx.gov for the next start date.
Yes. Licensed officers with two or more years of prior experience enter one step below their current years of service, up to step 6 of the pay plan. (Example: four years of experience starts at step 3.)
CSPD follows the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) requirements for state licensing. Check the TCOLE website or contact cspdrecruiting@cstx.gov for details on Texas licensing.
Yes — incentive pay is offered for education, certification, special assignments, and language ability. See the Compensation & Benefits section for details.
Yes. The City provides incentive pay for demonstrated proficiency in a foreign language.
The Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS): a 7% employee contribution with a 14% city match. Employees are fully vested in 5 years. You may retire at any age with 20 years of service, or at age 60 with 5 years.
A full benefits package — see the Compensation & Benefits section of the site for the complete picture.
CSPD has many specialized assignments, including:
Normally after two years with the department. The Chief may make exceptions for special circumstances.
10- and 12-hour shifts. Night and day shift officers work 12 hours; evening shift officers work 10 hours.
Sergeant, Lieutenant, Assistant Chief, and Chief of Police.
Yes. Tattoos on the hands, face, neck, or head are prohibited. Other tattoos are authorized and don’t need to be covered unless they display an offensive design, logo, or wording — for example, gang- or drug-related tattoos, or anything showing sexual, racial, religious, or ethnic intolerance. Questions? Email cspdrecruiting@cstx.gov.
Yes. Beards are authorized for all College Station Police Department employees.
The City employs many members of the guard and reserves. Military leave is available for drill and annual training. Military members and veterans can also use their GI Bill during the academy, field training, and probation. Contact a recruiter for more information.
Yes. To schedule a ride-along as a prospective applicant, contact Officer Borne at 979-764-3591 or Officer Paul at 979-764-5033.
