Question 1

When is the next Police Officer testing date?

Accepted Answer

We are currently accepting applications for the position of Police Officer (with or without experience).  The next Civil Service test date will be Saturday, October 3, 2026.  The deadline to apply is September 13, 2026. To apply to test for this date, start by completing an online application by clicking here!

This test group will be for recruits attending our academy class starting February 8, 2027, as well as for lateral transfers who may not need the full academy.

Question 2

How can I prepare for the initial testing?

Accepted Answer

Initial testing for the position of Police officer consists of two parts: the written Civil Service exam, and the physical fitness assessment.

Civil Service Exam:
The Civil Service exam is designed to assess aptitude in Reading Ability, Mathematical Reasoning, Writing Ability, Reasoning Ability, and Human Relations.  Applicants are highly encouraged to prepare themselves for the Civil Service exam.  The test contains 100 questions, in which the applicant has two hours to complete.  To purchase a Candidate Orientation Guide for Written Testing, click here!

Physical Fitness Assessment:
The Richardson Police Department utilizes the Texas Department of Public Safety Concept 2 Rower test.  To successfully pass the Concept 2 Rower test, an applicant is required to complete the 2,000 meter row and achieve a minimum score of 60%, with the damper set to "5". The passing score is determined based on your gender, age, and weight.  To learn more about how you can better prepare yourself for this test, click here!

Applicant Workshop:
The Richardson Police Department periodically hosts an Applicant Workshop that will cover tips and tricks for the written civil service test, proper row technique and practice workouts you can do on your own to prepare, as well as common pitfalls in the hiring process. Applicants who successfully apply will receive an invite to an applicant workshop when one has been scheduled. We want to see you succeed, and we’re looking forward to seeing you!

Question 3

What are the Patrol shifts like?

Accepted Answer

Patrol Officers with the Richardson Police Department will be scheduled on a fixed schedule of 12-hour shifts.  Officers work either day shift or night shift on one of the following two schedules:

Shift 1: Working Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and every other Saturday.  On weeks where the Officer works Saturday, one of their shifts is only 8 hours.
Shift 2: Working Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and every other Saturday.  On weeks where the Officer works Saturday, one of their shifts is only 8 hours.

Patrol Officers bid for their working days twice per calendar year. Shift bids are done in order of performance evaluation and then seniority.

Question 4

Is there a Lateral Entry Program?

Accepted Answer

Click here to learn more about eligibility for our Lateral Entry Program for Police Officers.

Question 5

What are the disqualifications for the position of Police Officer?

Accepted Answer

In the pursuit of the ideal candidate, the Richardson Police Department does not publicly disclose its disqualifications.  Areas that are investigated during the hiring process include, but are not limited to: credit history, criminal activity and history, driving history, drug usage, employment history, and personal relationships.

There are very few automatic causes for rejection. Even issues of prior misconduct, employee terminations, and arrests are usually not, in and of themselves, automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate misstatements or omissions can, and often will, result in your application being rejected, regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatements/omissions. In fact, the number one reason individuals “fail” the background investigation is because they deliberately withhold or misrepresent job-relevant information from their prospective employer.

If you have any questions regarding an area mentioned above, call and speak with a recruiter at 972-744-4845.

Question 6

What are the requirements to be a Police Officer?

Accepted Answer

Click here to learn more about the requirements for the position of Police Officer!

Question 7

What does the Civil Service Exam consist of?

Accepted Answer

The Civil Service Exam consists of 100 questions focused on Observation and Memory, Written Communication, Reading Comprehension, and Analytical Ability.

Question 8

What happens if I don't pass the Civil Service Exam or the physical assessment?

Accepted Answer

Applicants who fail to complete either of these steps satisfactorily are temporarily rejected from the hiring process, and may reapply six months after they tested.

Question 9

What positions are you hiring for?

Accepted Answer

This number changes monthly, so it's best to point you in the direction of the City of Richardson's Human Resources page.  Please click here to be directed to our available full-time openings and click here to be directed to our available part-time openings!

Question 10

How long does the hiring process typically take?

Accepted Answer

For Police Officer positions, the process is dependent on the availability of the applicant and the promptness with which they provide required documentation, but typically less than six months.  For civilian positions, to include Dispatch and Detention Officers,  the process typically takes less time.

Question 11

Does the Richardson Police Department have a ride-along program?

Accepted Answer

There are many, many law enforcement agencies in the State of Texas, and each one in our region (the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex) is competitive.  Each agency is unique in the culture and values that it promotes, and you might feel challenged or encouraged to grow at one agency over another.

Those who have applied for the Position of Police Officer and have successfully submitted their Personal History Statement (PHS) will be afforded the opportunity to do a ride-along with a shift of their choice.  An e-mail with this information will be sent to you after receipt of your PHS.

Question 12

Is there an age limit to apply for a position?

Accepted Answer

Most positions require you to be at least 18 years of age at the time of the application.  For the position of Police Officer, the applicant must be at least 20.5 year of age at the time of application.

Question 13

How large is the department?

Accepted Answer

Our agency is comfortably in the middle zone: not so big that you're just a number, and not so small that there's nothing to do.  We currently have 173 full-time sworn officer positions.

Question 14

Is the Richardson Police Department Civil Service?

Accepted Answer

The Richardson Municipal Civil Service Program was established by the City Charter.  It created principles and procedures to be followed by City Administration and established a merit system for performance management.  These rules are intended to provide a working guide for City officials and familiarize City employees with the chief objectives and practices of the City.  For some positions, this institutes requirements for hiring, promotion, and disciplinary actions or terminations.

Question 15

What is the department's tattoo policy?

Accepted Answer

The Richardson Police Department takes a very open approach to tattoos on employees, and we embrace those with tattoos!  There are, of course some limits, however:

Employees are prohibited from displaying tattoos on any part of the hands, neck, face, head, eyelids, mouth, and ears with the following exceptions:
One tattoo of a wedding band on a ring finger
Permanent facial make-up on the eyebrows, eyeliner, or lips that is conservative

During pre-employment screening, applicants will provide information on all their tattoos, body art and/or brands.  The Chief of Police or designee will make the final determination, in accordance with department policy, as to whether an applicant's tattoo, body art or brand complies with this policy.

Question 16

Is facial hair allowed?

Accepted Answer

Sworn employees are permitted to grow a moustache within policy, however beards and goatees are not permitted.

Question 17

What are the requirements for a Police Officer in the Lateral Entry Program?

Accepted Answer

Applicants with prior law enforcement experience may be eligible for lateral entry. Lateral entry eligibility is based on law enforcement experience prior to the date of employment with the City of Richardson.  A TCOLE license is preferred, but not required.

At a minimum, Police Officer Applicants for the Lateral Entry Program must:
Have worked a minimum of two years continuous law enforcement experience comparable to that of service with the Richardson Police Department.
Have a break in service of no more than 12 months prior to the date of application

Please note: the Chief of Police will review training and experience on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility for the Lateral Entry Program.

Still have questions?  Click the chat button!

Question 18

What is the Lateral Entry Program?

Accepted Answer

We value your previous experience, and we believe you should be compensated as such.  The positions of Police Officer, Dispatcher, and Detention Officer each have a lateral entry program for relevant experience.  The requirements for lateral entry vary depending on the position, so please click a link below for more information!  In addition, you may be eligible for a hiring incentive!

Question 19

I’m an active duty service member who is exiting the military in the near future- when should I apply?

Accepted Answer

Thank you for your service!  Applicants should look to apply within 4 to 6 months before their discharge from active service date.  Those who plan to take terminal leave prior to their discharge date should still apply within the same time frame, although they may be eligible to start earlier.

Question 20

What equipment is furnished by the department?

Accepted Answer

Each officer is issued a sidearm, rifle, taser, body worn camera, ballistic vest, all duty gear (with the exception of a flashlight), and all uniforms (with the exception of boots).

Question 21

What benefits are offered?

Accepted Answer

The City of Richardson offers its full-time employees a benefit package that rivals many municipal governments. It includes major health care benefits, the opportunity for financial security for our employees and their families, and the advantage of preparing for retirement by participating in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Listed below is additional information on our benefits.

Free Recreation Center Membership for Employees and Families: All full time and part time employees are eligible for a free annual membership at Richardson Recreation Centers (excluding Senior Center).

Bereavement Leave: It is funded by the City for full-time employees. Employees may take a maximum of five (5) days per occurrence for death in the immediate family.

Deferred Compensation: An optional plan available to full time employees for retirement planning. Participating employees may set aside an amount from their paycheck to be invested for retirement. The program is paid by employee contribution (no City contributions).

Employee Assistance Program: Richardson utilizes Alliance Work Partners (AWP) to provide employee assistance program services. AWP has a network of affiliates nationwide and can receive calls 24/7/365 to refer the employee (full or part time), retiree, or covered family member to the appropriate service or counselor. AWP’s services include marital or relational counseling, financial issues, psychiatric or emotional assistance, anger management, stress management, crisis intervention, and various other issues.

Family and Medical Leave: This leave provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job protected leave per year, and requires that their group health benefits be maintained during their leave. Full-time and part-time employees who have been employed by the City for at least 12 months, and who have worked for at least 1250 hours during the 12 month period immediately before the beginning of the leave are eligible.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Optional program available to full-time employees, paid by employee contribution. An FSA offers tax savings by withholding pre-tax income from each paycheck for the reimbursement of eligible health and dependent day care expenses.

Holidays: Full time employees receive ten paid holidays per year, one being a personal holiday.

Jury Duty: Full time employees receive full salary if serving on jury duty while scheduled to work.

Life Insurance: It is City funded for full-time employees. This insurance pays twice the employee's salary, up to $100,000.  Optional supplemental life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage is available to full-time employees and their dependents for purchase.

Long-Term Disability: It is City funded for full-time employees. This plan provides coverage to replace a portion of income, if an employee becomes disabled.

Longevity: Longevity is paid at a rate of $8 per month for each full year of service, effective after the first year of employment.

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision plans are available to full-time employees. Employees pay a monthly premium for coverage. Coverage is available to dependents of full-time employees who subscribe to the insurance.

Retirement Plan (TMRS): The plan is City and employee funded for full-time employees and some qualified part-time employees. This retirement program is provided by Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS).

Sick Leave: Full time employees earn 10 hours of sick leave each month with unlimited accrual.

Social Security: The City matches the employee's contributions to their Social Security Account.

Tuition Reimbursement Program: Reimbursement program is available after the full time employee completes their initial probationary period of employment.

Vacation: Hours earned depends on length of employment. Length of Service Hire Date - 13 Years of service, earns 120 work hours per year (prorated) 14+ Years of service, earns 160 work hours per year (prorated)

Wellness Program: The City of Richardson's Wellness Program offers employees personalized resources to help manage their health. As an active employee on our health plan, you are eligible to participate in this program.

Additional Benefits and Services: Direct Deposit, Free Parking, Internal Job Posting Policy, Management Skills & Career Development Training, Military Leave of Absence, Service Awards, Van Pooling (where available), Uniforms (if required by the department).

Frequently Asked Questions