Eligibility

Chief Jones Posing with New Officer

To be eligible for employment at Arlington PD, you must:

  • Be a citizen of the United States.

  • Be 21 years of age or older. 

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of post-secondary education as certified through a commission on higher education of a regional educational agency for colleges and universities recognized by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement -- OR -- four years of active-duty military experience with an honorable discharge -- OR -- 60 hours of college credits with 4 continuous years serving as an APD Police Service Assistant or APD Detention Officer. For those who are already a certified police officer applicant please see our Lateral Transfer Academy page for those requirements.

  • Have no felony or class A misdemeanor convictions; including deferred adjudications.

  • Have no misdemeanor convictions, including deferred adjudications, above the grade of class C within the past 10 years.

  • Not be on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of class C misdemeanor.

  • Have no family members working for APD.

  • Be of good character and have a stable school, work, and driving record.

  • Have no DWI convictions within the past 10 years.

  • Read, write, and speak the English language.

  • Possess 20/20 vision, either corrected or uncorrected in each eye. Uncorrected vision cannot exceed 20/100 in each eye unless vision is corrected by the use of contact lenses or prescription eyeglasses which must be worn on duty and / or during all enforcement related activities. Must also be free of dichromatic color blindness, night blindness, and any other visual deficiencies or limitations.

  • Have no hearing loss greater than 45 decibels at 4000 hertz.

  • Be able to pass a physical exam as determined by a physician.

  • Have no tattoos on the neck, face, or hands except for one wedding band.

An associates degree is required for officers seeking the rank of Corporal. A bachelor's degree is required for officers who wish to promote to the rank of Sergeant.